Chocolate and Conversation

Food War

2012-02-09T19:36:00.005-05:00

I served up a plate of sauteed snow peas, baby bella mushrooms, hot steamed rice, and some nice looking chicken with beautiful dark brown color on both sides.

Kirin took a look and whined: "Awww, why do we always have to eat vegetables and meat, and other things. Can we eat something else like chicken nuggets? I CRRRAVVE them SO BAD! We haven't had them in like FOREVER"

Sage chimed in: "Yeah, I LOOOVVE chicken nuggets. Why can't we have chicken nuggets instead?"

Next day, we were eating dinner, and Sage gave me a stern look and said: "I wish we can eat Ramen noodles, those are so delicious. You never let us eat them!" (I wish I recorded the way she said it so you get the full drama.) She added: " You don't let us eat peanut butter and jelly pocket for school lunch either. Brook and Lauren and Nick all eat them, and it looked soooo good."

On some mornings, when Kirin gets in one of those mood, he would begs for boxed mac'n cheese for breakfast, and I often don't have them. Then he'd asks me to run a mac'n cheese errand to the store after he goes to school. And if I happen to serve them remotely healthy snacks after school, I hear complaints all night long, and how hungry they all still are for such things like Nutella or Fondue or ice cream.

Tonight while smoothing out her stomach and waist, Jade said: "Your cooking is terrible." I stared at her with wide eyes in disbelief of what she just said. Then she corrected herself by explaining: "Too much good cooking, it's a terrible thing for me."

I can't win, you know. No matter what I cook, they wish I give them boxed food, or that I don't cook so well so they don't eat so much.

Just now, Kirin is sitting next to me with his feet by a space heater and a blanket over his lap, preparing to read Calvin and Hobbes. He just now said: "Mom, this is perfect like this, now all I need is a sandwich and a can of soda. Huh, what do ya think, want to get me those?"

Dreams Do Come True

2012-02-04T10:31:00.019-05:00

Disney World Vacation, Part 2 - Dreams do come true for a little girl.

This will be our last time visiting Disney World in a very long time. I was pretty determined to have Sage meet almost every princess in the park...as long as I don't have to wait forever.

Mission succeeded.

As it turned out, these are one of my very favorite Disney memories. It was so fun to see Sage's eyes light up when she enters the room where Cinderella, Belle, and Aurora are all smiling in their sparkling dresses. These princesses must have a book of things to say, from sparkles to mice in teacups to singing squirrels. They sure know how to enchant these little girls. But as beautiful as these princesses are, they can't compare to the big smile on my daughter's very happy little face.

Disney World

2012-01-18T20:37:00.001-05:00

Christmas morning, 2011

Before the kids came down...

We gave the kids a puzzle, after they finished, they went:

"Huh...what? Wait...Really? Yeah, right!"

Two days later, we packed up the family and came to Disney World:

Disney World Vacation, Part 1: The Rides

Monorail

Toy Story Mania - the coolest ride ever!

Splash Mountain

See, we really did it, SIX times!

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

And me (not shown in the picture), risking my life so we can have these memories.

The Spinning Tea Cup

Snow White, the Scary Adventure

Tomorrowland's Speed Way

The Flight of Peter Pan

Safari Ride

We saw this beautiful colored bird with a heart shape on his chest

Space Mountain

I had to post Sage twice because she was truly scared, haha.

And seriously, the cutest ride in the entire world!!! The song that lingers in your head for 47 minutes afterwards is totally worth it.

Praying Mantis

2011-11-30T21:36:00.005-05:00

Aspen found this guy waiting on our front steps for her after school. We decided to keep him for a while to show Kirin.

Isn't he so brave! So glad I have a son!!

Letting him go was hard

Halloween 2011

2011-11-30T20:53:00.010-05:00

Kirin is in 3rd grade, and kids this age gets a bit scary looking on Halloween.

Here is the proof...

Kids are still looking delicious in kindergarten.

This parade about the school yard is truly an American phenomenon!

Want to see the comparison?

NIGHT

and DAY

Broken English

2011-10-14T15:57:00.003-04:00

Aspen and I were sitting in the waiting area for her chest X ray.

Me: You will have to get undressed and put on a rope.

Aspen: What? Completely naked?

Me: No, you're gonna have a rope.

Aspen looking bewildered and exclaimed: I don't want people to see me naked!!!

Me: You won't be, you will have a rope on.

Aspen: (pause) You mean... a ROBE, with a b?

Me: Yes,that's what I mean, a robe. Oh... you mean, you thought you were gonna be naked and wearing a rope?

Aspen and I looked at each other and both were cracking up in the waiting room.

After a few minutes of such silliness.

Aspen: Shhh Mom, you are embarrassing me.

Aspen: Maybe there is a camera in the waiting room, and they are gonna come and arrest you for laughing so loud.

PS: Aspen wanted to defend my honor by letting you all know that I did say robe, it only sounded like rope because of "my Chinese accent"

Funny Kids

2011-10-08T19:08:00.004-04:00

I was one of the lunch aid at my children's elementary school. Initially, I had agreed to work till the end of the October. After only 2 weeks of school, I am falling apart because the lunch hour chopped my day up right in the middle, leaving me no time for anything else.

Me: I've spoken with the school principle, and I will not be the lunch aid for too much longer.

Aspen: Oh, so you FINALLY clean the house.

Kirin: Oh, so you can FINALLY buy me the rest of the Harry Potter books and movie.

Sage: NO. NO. So...you can FINALLY buy me Barbie fashion movie, and Barbie pretty princess movie, and Barbie dress up movie.

Kirin was using something of Aspen's.

Aspen shouts: Wash your hands- you have cooties!

Kirin: I am in third grade. I don't have cooties anymore. I HAVE GERMS!!

Jade was graphing for science homework.

Sage:Ohhh, you are making dot to dot...I LOVE dot to dot, they make me feel enchanted.

Me: What do you want to wear today?

Sage: I want to wear my "dreams do come true" shirt, it makes me feel like a princess.

Kirin has been wanting a baby brother.

Kirin: Mom, can you have another baby.

Me:NO. Besides, it might not be a boy.

Kirin: Then I will panic. And have a heart-attack.

Aspen was in the bedroom with Jade when she asked me to turn on the hall light.

Me: You don't need the hall light on, your sister is with you.

Aspen:She just called me a creeper, do you think I am comfortable with her right now?

Sage and I were snuggling on my bed.

Sage: Can you move over, I have no room here except for a banana.

Jade: Oooh! Brain freeze!

Kirin: Oh really? How do you spell it?

Jade:b-r - oh, wait! i-t

Kirin:Ok, What's 12x1?

Jade:12

Kirin: See, you don't have a brain freeze.

The following conversation occurred in Chinese. I don't know how funny it will be now I am translating it into English.

For someone who've slept in, in English, you'd probably say: "You've slept for a long time!" or just "You've slept in!"

But in Chinese, you could use the word "full" in conjunction to "sleep", like eating until full. Makes perfect sense, doesn't it?

Anyway, Sage slept in one morning through all the foot stomping and food microwaving. When she finally woke up at 10 in the morning.

Me: You slept full!!

Sage who never heard such an expression, contemplating for only a second replied: I. Slept full....but, I didn't eat.

Jade: I have a chest pain.

I think I am going to die soon.

Good bye, family members.

Fun Times

2011-09-14T09:54:00.036-04:00

These are some of the stuff our family did this summer (2011). They are just your normal family activities, BUT. to a mother, the moment that counts are the moments when your kids are happy.

The combination of Kirin and Sage in our household can be lethal, what makes it worse, is neither of them would budge. So when I caught them like this, you better believe I am going to freeze the moment.

Kirin taught Sage how to play chess. Sage dressed like Christmas morning, of course.

Cunningham Falls

Baltimore Aquarium

This street performer asked for an volunteer from the audience, Sage shot up her hand. Here she is as the center of the attention!!

Her awesome ribbon twirling.

Everyone applaud for her excellent performance.

Outside the aquarium.

One of my favorite buildings by the harbor.

Doesn't it look like they are dancing?

Upside down jellies. (They look like they might make a good salad, with the right seasoning. In fact, I really had jellyfish salad growing up, they are delicious!)

One fin (or flipper) turtle.

The Perfect Day

2011-09-05T20:32:00.008-04:00

If you know Andrew for longer than 10 minutes, you will soon discover that he is a man who doesn't need to speak much to prove himself. If you know him longer than say, 3 years, you will find out that when he does speak at length, it always means that he has done extensive research on the subject, which makes him well-versed, and the topic which he speaks on is likely to be the most unusual sort, like: fish oil, mono-unsaturated fat, tomatoes, garlic, and most recently, sustainable fishing, in particularly: sardines. (He does bring up non-food related subjects, but my simple mind doesn't retain that information for longer than the time it takes to enter my ears... a bit sad, really.)

One of the results of our discussion of this topic of fish was our discovery of a hidden gem, right here in our beloved capitol city of the US. An outdoor fish market!

I felt like I had come home to my childhood - any market that comes with those distinct sights and smells makes me feel completely at ease. I enjoyed being reminded at times that not all things should be bought from Safeway.

There were all sorts of seafood, more than you can imagine, sold straight from the fishermen. I am talking about REAL FISH too, with heads, scales, gills intact, and eyes staring right back at you . Most of them not gutted or scaled.

I walked around with glee, admiring the fish, many of which I couldn't name. And my children walked from stall to stall, pointing at random weird sea creatures, and occasionally pinching their noses.

In the end, I settled on a big red snapper, a few croakers which were new to me, and some smelts (oh, if you never had them, you are missing out on their goodness). I also bought Pompano which I also had never tried before.

The vendors don't clean fish for you, but there was an establishment close by that charge by the pound to scale and gut the fish. I imagine they de-head and fillet them for you as well. I was too cheap to pay for that and opted to clean the fish at home. It turned out to be not as bad as I remembered. The key is to keep it contained!

After cleaning off the red snapper, I scored the meat on both sides and put sliced lemon and ginger inside the scored flesh, as well as inside the cleaned and emptied gills. We baked the fish with head and tail on. The result: Success!

The croakers and the smelts I deep fried. The croakers I didn't fall in love with, but the smelts were as amazing as I remember my mama made them. Oh, and I made these for breakfast, served with a mounting plate of rice!! ha ha!

Sadly, I forgot to take pictures of the fish I mentioned above, but all of them turned out so beautiful. The Pompano was the only fish I remembered to take a picture of before we devoured it to the bone. Here is what the pompano looked like pan seared.

If you haven't tried pompano, you must. It is SO buttery, and tender, with a mild but delicious flavor. The plus side is that the scale on this fish so fine, so you can cook it and eat it too.

Another thing we saw at the fish market - these Maryland blue crabs! There are just barrels and barrels of them, and being steamed all day long.

We ended up buying some blue crabs, but sometimes I am not sure if it's worth all the work. I think actual crabbing is more fun than eating crabs.

(Our kids were tired of waiting on us to finished the crabs, so they climbed the trees instead)

Can you imagine any more of a perfect day for me than this: Eating Good Food all day?

We did remembered to educate our children in between meals by filling their impressionable minds with tours of the Smithsonian museums, which also helped to walk off the extra calories we consumed.

We checked out the animals, the Hope diamond, and other glistening stones at the Natural History Museum. We also spotted this, the very costume worn by Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter.

We walked around the sculpture garden, and of course, visited the National Archives to see the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Declaration of Independence, and we admired the grand Capitol building.

(The building in the picture is the National Archive - home to the Declaration of Independence, to name a few)

To top everything off, I knew more good food was yet to come since we had plans to eat at a place in DC for dinner. I can not tell you the joy it brings me to anticipate the deliciousness that was surely going to end up in my mouth. There are only a few things in life that can top that feeling. VERY, very few. In fact, I can't think of any right now.

For dinner, we stopped by and ate at a place called Oohh's & Aahh's where Guy Feri on Food Network ate on an episode of his show Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives. Everything we ordered was tasty, but the most incredible item of the dinner was the shrimp and grits, loaded completely with butter and cream. So you get the idea - HOLY YUM!

Sometimes I am envious of the job of the food critics who get to eat at all these great restaurants and their job is write about their dining experiences; these people get to eat the tastiest food, and get paid to say what's great and not great about what they ate. Sometimes I wonder also if they aren't a bit snobbish to critique something someone else obviously does better than them. I wonder at times if too much good food might actually be bad for building one's character, for example, it appear that my kids have much more elevated taste buds than other kids, which I feel isn't so good for them, after all, life isn't about pursuing that perfect morsel. Though...I must say, it is truly one of my biggest weaknesses. (sigh)

First Day of School, 2011

2011-08-29T10:11:00.012-04:00

Today, Aug 29th 2011 marked the first day of Aspen's middle school year. Look at that winning smile!

Today also marked the day of Sage's first kindergarten year.

Big brother and little sister walking to the bus stop. I am getting softer by the age, Sage's princess backpack is the first ever in the our household...Jade and Aspen never got one - they lived a more deprived childhood.

Looking for bugs

Examining their find

Kirin found his priced creature!!

Boarding the bus.

I was very proud of Kirin for looking out for his little sister. Good Job Son!

Today also marked the first day of Andrew's absence from our house for the next 2 months. And this morning, Sage requested to teach family home evening lesson tonight, which will be her first. ...I think I should go with the flow by serving an all- you- can- eat Nutella for dinner, just to add to the first of many things we are doing today.

Niagara Falls 2011 (Summer Vacation)

2011-08-20T10:32:00.001-04:00

While in Palmyra New York, we thought we would "swing by" and visit this place: Niagara Falls.

Talk about large water...it can be mesmerizing.

We rode the Maid of the Mist. Here is everyone in blue poncho uniform.

If you haven't been to Niagara Falls before, and if you have the intention of going, and if you do plan on riding the Maid of the Mist. Here is a bit of useful information for you. When you get on the boat, go to the upper deck (which we did), and stand by the left side of the boat (which we did not). As the boat starts moving, it will take you to the first waterfall, which is On Your LEFT SIDE. So if you were standing on the wrong side of the boat (like we did), this is what you will see instead:

All these people were trying to raise their hands higher than the person in front of them for the shot of the waterfall. Everyone on my side of the boat hopelessly tried to get to the other side hoping to catch a shot. I stood by on the WRONG SIDE and took a picture of everyone else instead. I wanted to laugh at the scene, people can be amusing, myself included. There was a small group of people that kept having me take pictures for them. I took pictures for them only because I was nice, because these same people kept standing in the way of my kids and the boat railing even when they can see that they were just trying to hold on. For goodness sake! Then we got to the part of the water where the boat was rocking heavily back and forth, and my kids were screaming/laughing for their lives, while being squished by the same people I took pictures for. At this point, THE above mentioned people just handed me their camera, didn't even ask if I would take a picture for them (like the first time). Seeing my children weren't in the danger of falling off the boat anytime soon, I did. ( I even made the effort to make sure I captured as much of the waterfall for them as possible and that they were all smiling before I clicked, talk about taking pride in my work....)

The boat ride was quite expensive, so I was really hoping that it wouldn't be lame. At the beginning, the ride seemed ordinary. But the boat took us into the center of the mouth of the huge waterfall, where we were immediately hit with the mist generated by the rushing of the water falling down from the top of the cliff, it felt like someone was splashing your face nonstop with a powerful force, and talk about the deafening ROARING sound. There was so much water, I couldn't even open my eyes. If people ask me if I have ever been to Niagara Falls, I will say: I saw it at a distance, but I experienced it close up. Since there is no way to open your eyes while looking at the falls when you are that close, I looked down to observe the ripples created by the falls, and saw a bird floating effortlessly and carelessly on the water, right in the mouth of the waterfall. I was slightly jealous with its super ability to float, and I thought to myself: This is NOT a place I would want to learn how to swim...

I managed to take this picture before I had to quickly hide my camera inside my blue poncho just before entering the BIG waterfall.

Look at this happy little girl who just experienced Niagara Falls. See how she clung onto the boat grid?

This is the tower which we came down from to take the boat ride. I thought the engineering was quite impressive.

We also decided to check out the attraction : Cave of the Winds

check out the matching sandals they gave us.

You basically climb this winding staircase to stand very close to a portion of the waterfall (exhibited on bottom right where the people in yellow ponchos are)

The result was PURE Heaven as the wind carries the water and washes over you! How can I refuse my kids for wanting their pictures taken. Not only did I soak my Canon Rebel, I also soaked my Canon Camcorder. Mere sacrifice for the sake of creating art...or memories.

(I am only revealing my camera brand for the sake of making this sound dramatic. it's rather embarrassing that the pictures don't live up to the equipment)

See the No Smoking sign in green? I can't image anyone could possibly light up a cigarette there. I'd like to see someone try, I think it would be super hilarious.

see all the spots on the picture below? As I was taking this picture, a gust of wind carried a huge wave of water up onto the deck

and, I was in the way.

This was the before picture - before I got hit by the water, that is.

After we were done being soaked from head to toe, inside and out. Kirin used his poncho as a kite and flew it around the park for a while. I loved that he recycles.

I like this shot. It looks like Jade was sleeping, and Aspen was scratching off a mosquito bite. Sage is of course, posing.

Behind them, O, Canada.

After Niagara Falls, we went back to Palmyra and next morning, toured the rest of the church history sites. And of course, ate some more ice cream. Months ago, a friend told me that we should take any opportunity we can this year to take a family vacation before Andrew starts his residency next year, because we will not see much of him in the next four years. Even though it's hard to imagine it can be any worse than now, I took her advice seriously.

I am rarely in any pictures because I am always the one taking them. Palmyra temple is SO quiet, we waited forever and couldn't find a person coming in or out of the temple to take our family picture. So this will have to suffice.

I think it's only fitting that after a picture of the temple, a picture of the log home that Joseph Smith grew up in wraps up this post about our vacation. This log home was where everything began. A boy who went to a grove of tree to pray so he might know which is the right church to join. Without this restored gospel of Jesus Christ, there would be no knowledge of enternal families. I have a deep testimony of the reality of what Joseph Smith said he saw: "A pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun....I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other - This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!"

I am so grateful for what transpired here in Palmyra, and I am grateful that God uses the same method to call and inspire people today. I have a testimony that he does use us to accomplish his means, even sometimes through the most unlikely circumstances or people. I believe no matter who we are and our life situations, God can teach us how to listen, follow, lead, and inspire. I see again and again the hands of God guiding me and the YW organization, and I see that manifest the most when I simply don't assume that I know much, and so I have no choice but yield myself up to his will. I have received such powerful testament that he is keenly aware of his children, and he knows who should be called, and what needs to be done. Neal. A Maxwell said it well: " The submission of one's will is really the only uniquely personal thing we have to place on God's altar...There is a part of us that is ultimately sovereign, the mind and heart.... And when we submit to His will, then we've really given Him the one thing He asks of us."

Joseph Smith lived in such a way, even until the moment he gave his life for the gospel. Like you and I, He was a real person. It is a testimony to me that through the strength of Christ, we can live as he did. Palmyra is such a special place to be, it is one of those vacations that you don't have to come home and sleep for 3 days to recover from. I wouldn't call our trip in Palmyra the most fun, where we went was not fancy, not commercial, not fake, not worldly, and the days go by slowly here, but strangely enough, we loved it just the same. I guess a great vacation is not where you go, but who you go with that matters the most.

Palmyra NY, Summer 2011

2011-08-06T21:08:00.039-04:00

Last year, Andrew and I accompanied our stake youth to Palmyra. We enjoyed the experience so much that we wanted to bring our children here for them to see and experience the place that is the cradle of the restoration.

DAY 1

The Sacred Grove was by far both Andrew's, and my favorite from our trip with the youth, so we make that our first stop. The experience of going there with our kids, the first time around was not what we expected. Mainly because Kirin and Sage won't stop chatting about whatever and whichever that comes to their mind the entire time we were in the grove.

After a good night of sleep, I thought we gave it another go. We stayed at a place that was pretty much across the street to the grove. So after breakfast, we took our scriptures and went walking. I sat with Sage on one of the benches in the grove, and read to her the account of Joseph Smith History. Of course, I condensed the version a bit. Occasionally, I would ask her questions to see if she was following along, and I was honestly, quite astonished that she was already familiar with the story. I guess she really was listening at home all this time, even during her chatters and somersaults. After we finished reading, she seemed to be very satisfied and said: "Good story, this was fun."

It feels to me that we at last left the grove with a peacefulness to the heart and a stillness to the mind. It really is a place when entered, where time becomes irrelevant. I probably would have stayed there forever if the mosquitoes weren't urging me on.

This is my favorite photo of Andrew and Kirin walking toward the Sacred Grove, it looks like they were having a good conversation. Aspen's elbow joins the picture.

Joseph Smith's Farm House.

The upper room where angel Moroni appeared to Joseph Smith

The Frame House. In this house, Joseph learned the 116 pages of manuscript was lost.

Original fireplace where Joseph hid the golden plates under the bricks from mobs.

DAY 3

This is my other favorite place to visit: The Gradin Bookstore.

This is where Mr. Egbert B. Grandin printed 5000 copies of Book of Mormon. Martin Harris sold part of his farm to pay for the $3000 printing fee. It cost $1.75 to purchase the book, which is about 2 days of wages back then.

Original ink spatters on the wall

Original floors where Joseph Smith walked on, of course I didn't take a picture of it...

This is a copy of Oliver Cowdery's handwriting as he was scripting the Book of Mormon. If you read carefully, you will find these same passages in 1 Nephi, Chapter 3.

We also visited Peter Whitmer's Farm Home. Joseph finished the last bit of translation in this house. He also started the translation of the Bible in this house. The event of the three witnesses occurred here. Mary Whitmer was shown the golden plates by Moroni. The church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was organized in this little house on April 6, 1830.

( I can't find a picture of it)

Below is a picture from Hill Cumorah where Joseph found the buried golden plates. Kirin tried and failed to pry open the rocks he found on the hill.

Besides visiting church history sites, we also find time to eat some ice cream.

Our friend, Becky who has lived in Palmyra before told us of an ice cream shop "Chill n Grill" which of course I forgot to take a picture of. But I took plently pictures of the goods that it delivers:

If you think this is just a regular small cone, you think wrong. What you are seeing is HALF of a Kiddie cone, $1.85, seriously.

Andrew and I got this large cone for pictures sake, 6 scoops. It was a leaning tower of Pisa.

This cone $3.95. This picture: Priceless.

I saw these mad ice cream sandwiches sitting inside the freezer, the size of an 8" pie.

Do you eat that with a steak knife and a fork? Maybe a shovel.

I haven't forgot DAY 2 of our vacation. Stay tuned.

Moments to Remember

2011-07-09T22:01:00.058-04:00

Aspen's 5th grade promotion, June 15, 2011

She received the Presidential Award for outstanding academic achievement.

I enjoyed watching Aspen growing, and becoming herself this year. She is a loyal friend, and when she was in tough situations, she chose to make the right decisions. After the summer, she will be entering middle school!! -It's hard to believe all my babies are growing up, it seems to be only yesterday I was still serving them up juice from a sippy cup, and kissing their owies better. Through such milestones like birthdays or graduation in their lives am I reminded that time doesn't stand still. I don't necessary feel any older or different, the only thing that reminds me that time is moving is my ever increasing gray hair.

Rebecca, Cindy, Manchun, and Aspen

Jade at her 7th grade promotion, June 16, 2011

From left: Aradhana, Supriya, Payal, and Jade

Duffins' Moving Day

Our dear friend the Duffins moved into our ward 2 years ago, and immediately took our ward by storm. They have given us 4 wonderful youth, and 3 cutest little kids. Kyle, the oldest (on the very left), received his mission call before he left us. This is their last hurrah, an all-you-can-eat-youth-ice cream-social, just hours before their departure. The Duffins arrived in style, and they depart in the same fashion.

From Left, Mary, Kayla, Nicole, Maggie and Jade

Kayla belongs to the Duffins, and is one of our Beehive, a chatter box, and someone who always have a smart comment. There is never a dull moment when Kayla is around.

From Left: Kim, Katie Duffin and Megan Duffin

Megan is one of our Mia Maids, someone who is always looking out for the underdog, cool, stubborn and does things on her time. Katie, my amazing Laurel, is an example to everyone around her. She is constantly being a missionary, and has a sparkling personality. Katie and Megan both received their personal progress medallion just a week prior to their moving day.

I can't believe I forgot to take a picture of me and my friend Lorriane Duffin, who loves Maryland cold weather, she wears a t-shirt when it's 30 degrees outside. She prays for snow all winter long. She will definitely melt in Arizona where they are moving to.

Mary and Jade, none of them are Duffins

Both are wearing girls camp shirts from last year.

Billy Goat Gruff - Fisher kids' favorite hike

Summer 2011

The following pictures are posted intended for my kids to enjoy. Now you have been fore-warned about the excessive picture posting.

Kirin is the Troll under the bridge

"Don't eat me, there are others that are fatter..."

Aspen and Jade, the billy goats, waiting their turn to the bridge

Zucchinis

2011-06-03T17:42:00.002-04:00

My friend Michelle lives in Utah, she grows a respectable garden. It seems to be sprouting with edible things all the time. You'd find peas and beans ready for pickin' in late springs and early summer. Then tomatoes, lots and lots of tomatoes. If you want to make Cafe Rio's famous tomatillos salsa, she has that also. (tomatillos, not salsa). There are zucchinis, cucumbers, peppers of different varieties, and strawberries. In the fall, when everything else dies, big orange pumpkins spreading their vines.

She once told me this: If you see someone in the groceries stores buying zuccines, you'll know she doesn't have a friend.

She then explained that zucchinis grow like weed, you get so much from one single plant, people who grow them usually beg their friends to take them away.

I never had to buy zucchinis while I was living in Utah.

Today, I bought some.

Sage means Wise

2011-05-28T05:52:00.000-04:00

Me to Sage: "Let's go and get some lunch!"

She replies: "It had BETTER be candy!!"

I had finished making dinner already and so I obviously KNEW what was for dinner. I don't know why I asked, but I did:

"Sage, what ya want for dinner?"

"I dunno, what ya got?"

Kirin was being super energetic one night and basically acting crazy, which Jade and Aspen looked on with much amusement.

Sage was drawing a picture, unaffected, completely in the zone.

After this had been going on for a while, Sage turned to her brother and, pronouncing each word clearly and solemnly: "Brother, is it... FUN... to be stupid?"

I found some Fun Dip candy in the store, and I thought how much Sage would enjoy it. So I bought it and introduced it to her one day when she was watching her princess movie. Because I am a good mom like that. I showed her to suck on the dipping stick to get it wet so she can dip it into the colored sugar. She thought the whole process was pure heaven.

After a while I asked if she had finished it. She showed me the much smaller dipping stick in her hand and announced: "I finished the Fun, but not the Dip."

I got a card from Sage for Mother's Day. She made it in preschool.

The bolded part is what she filled in. I really like her imagination.

My Mom is 159 years old.

My mom looks beautiful when it's my birthday.

All day, my mom goes shopping, takes me to my friend's house, and makes cookies.

In her defense, all my kids wish they had a mom that would make homemade cookies, served to them warm with a glass of cold milk. I did start making some pretty-looking cupcakes, if that makes any difference.

ONCE UPON A TIME Mormon Prom 2011

2011-05-09T21:27:00.013-04:00

With a month left to Mormon Prom, I got demoted from a Stake YW's calling to a ward YW's calling. (I was kidding about being demoted, though it did mean that on the ward level I have to work harder.)

Emotions were high for me when the bishop extended this call to me, with one standing out above them all - "overwhelmed." Andrew had been out of town in the meantime, and wouldn't be back until after prom is over. The month felt like a whirlwind; even now, after the Prom has been over for a week, I am still recovering from mental exhaustion and physical fatigue. My children played a big part in making it successful - Jade has been pulling some heavy duty baby sitting for me in the last little while, and they have been so very patient with my schedule. I don't know how they survived really, I attribute that entirely to the tender mercies of the Lord.

Last year, I was handed the theme "A Night in Venice". This year, shortly after it was decided that I would take on Mormon Prom again, the theme "Once Upon a Time" came to mind. The youth liked it, and so it was. The invitation to participate with us was extended to 20 other stakes.

Mormon Prom was a success, I am happy to say, but even happier and greatly relieved that it is over. Thank you to Jenni Hale, the Stake YW's secretary, my old comrade who worked tirelessly on the smoke breathing dragon and worked herself into kidney stones.

Here is Once Upon a Time, Mormon Prom 2011 hosted by Seneca Stake. Also, look here for pictures from last year's prom.

Click here to view these pictures larger

Catching Up

2011-03-21T20:36:00.028-04:00

Above is Henry, the pre-school dog. Sage got to take him home for a week and record their adventures in a journal. So this is Henry and Sage, sharing some mango.

Sage's birthday also happens to be on St. Patrick's day. After she was born, when the nurse handed her to me, they had placed both a pink bow and a green bow on her head. This is Henry and Sage, watching the parade.

Who doesn't love a guy riding on a toilet in the parade!!

The balloon man was definitely a crowd pleaser!

Sage was a great audience, she applauded when appropriate.

Here is another shot of the "Pot of Gold at the end of the Rainbow"

Happy Day

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Winter Storm

This winter, Maryland was hit with yet another snow storm. This shot was taken prior to the snow storm, when there was almost nothing on the ground. Aspen, my creative girl made this snow man by exhausting all the available snow around her.

Jade, who didn't help at all, came for a picture after all the work was done. (Notice: she was still wearing her pajama pants!!)

Of course, building the snow man wasn't enough for Aspen, she also made a snow dog. A replica of the dog "Gus" next door.

Isn't he super cute!

Snow man and his dog

Three hours later, the storm hit, and buried Gus.

What's Up with my Kids

2011-02-04T16:04:00.007-05:00

Dear blog,
I am sorry you have been neglected as of late. Here is the update about the kids. I hope you enjoy.

Jade has been selected as a member of the National Junior Honor Society at her middle school. She has been earning straight A's as far back as Kindergarten. To be considered in the NJHS, the students need to receive an invitation to apply. Then to be considered as a member, the students have to write up their service experiences, hours, and extracurricular activities as well as an essay describing themselves as an upholder of the five standards of the Society: Scholarship, Leadership, Service, Citizenship, and Character. There were about 200 applicants. She is one of the 35 kids who got picked at the end.

Aspen's elementary school held a yearbook cover contest. She made it to the one of the sixth finalists. All six drawings were posted by the school entrance for the students to have a chance to vote. And of course, she WON!! (Why wouldn't she?)
Her drawing is going to be the cover for the yearbook! Awesome job, Aspen!

I found something authored by Kirin recently. It's titled "Candy Mystery"
This is what he wrote:

Published: Febuary 2, 2011
Author's birthday: April 11, 2003
Age:7 1/2

Candy Mystery

January 28,2011 - CASE OF THE MISSING CANDIES
1 clue mystery
Candy: Twix
Thief: Sage
Clue: Tx (Twix) wrapper found under Sage's bed

Febuary 1, 2011 - CASE OF THE MISSING CANDIES
Candies: Pez
Theif:Sage
Clues:
1. Sage told me that she had went under my bed. Sage said she didn't eat my pez. (Why would she say that if she didn't eat them?) Only strawberry pez left, Sage knew that was my least favorite, so she left me with those and ate the others.
2. Pez wrappers under my bed.

Kirin is turning 8 in April. We challenged him to finish reading the Book of Mormon before his baptism. He reached the goal by November of last year. He memorized all 13 articles of faith when he was about 6. He knows his scriptures well and is now reading the Bible by his own will.

Jade and Aspen will make their appearance together in the cluster concert at the end of the month. Aspen is the 1st chair violinist. Jade plays the cello, and she can smell 1st chair coming her way soon. Jade with her fellow music friends at school will also perform with a Chinese orchestra who is visiting the U.S. Apparently they love Lady GaGa in China and to be a hospitable host, Jade's school orchestra will perform a mix of three of her pieces.

Sage got a SuperStar sticker at her preschool and she is coloring within the line!!

Charlie Brown Christmas Tree

2010-12-11T09:57:00.014-05:00

Before we moved to Maryland, Andrew had a small acupuncture business in Utah for over 2 years. During those two years, we had near zero income. While trying to be supportive of this endeavor, I eventually felt physically ill and spiritually down.

It's hard to write about that season of our lives in a smooth coherent way, gazillion thoughts go through my mind when I look back on that time. But for this post, I am to talk about our Charlie Brown Christmas tree. We always get a freshly cut tree for Christmas, but since we started our business, I just didn't feel like we had the money to buy a tree. The house we lived in wasn't exactly pretty, I wanted to bring some holiday cheer to the house, but physically, I couldn't get out of the dark pit I was in. We had told the kids that year that they probably wouldn't get anything from us, the younger kids said: But we will still be getting presents from Santa Claus right?

One day, I got sick of the gloomy house. That's when the idea of the Charlie Brown Christmas tree to come to mind. I walked outside and broke off a branch of a bush just right outside the house. I put the branch in a pot stuffed with old socks to secure its position and I set out to beautify it with a few ornaments. I wrapped the base with some cotton padding and put some lights under the cotton like light reflecting off the snow. After I finished, I looked at our tree for a long time; a peace came to me, I finally felt Christmas. However bony that branch was, it didn't look sad, standing there illuminating our small end table; it was the prettiest thing in our house. When the kids got home from school, they gathered around the tree to admire it. Their hearts were glad, how they loved that tree!

Christmas did come for our family that year. There were many knockings on the door, upon opening, we found no one but only wrapped gifts laying on the snow, and money people left in envelopes at our door. It was a winter of deep gratitude and humble heart and a deepening of my testimony in many ways. My oldest two girls still remember that Christmas and think fondly of our Charlie Brown Christmas tree. I suggested that we have a Charlie Brown tree every other year no matter our station in life to remind us of that Christmas, and to never forget the blessings brought to us by others. There was no convincing necessary for Jade and Aspen, they remember that Christmas well. But our son doesn't seemed to understand the significance of what happened that winter in Utah, he can't fathom a Christmas without a real tree, so for the past two years in Maryland, we've had real trees. This year, he wasn't given the choice. We went out as a family to collect some fallen branches by the roadside. Now that the Charlie Brown tree is set up and declaring a rightful place in our living room, he has starting to appreciate it.

The real Christmas tree for me will forever be the bare bone branch that I got from outside the door many years ago. I think about that Christmas often, and will forever be grateful for the kindness that was shown to my family. I didn't know how much that experience has shaped me; whatever I do for other people now, I think it has a lot to do with being on the receiving end first, and the understanding that even the smallest kindness and thoughtfulness from others can be the ladder to bring someone out of the pit of despair. I can't think of a better way to show my gratitude to my Savior than to serve, even in the smallest ways.

Christmas time is about loving better and deeper, and the sharing of our blessings. God tries us so that we may be on bended knee and get to know our Savior more intimately . Every trial, sorrow and disappointment is there to make us sufficiently uncomfortable so we can aspire to new heights.

Raising Sage with God

2010-11-17T22:26:00.004-05:00

I am temporarily back from being MIA from the blogging world. I'm planning to disappear again immediately after posting.

Since the beginning of the year, Sage has lost some dear friends to full time preschool and kindergarten, she has been moaning her loss ever since. Today, we stopped by to see a friend of mine for a quick hello before going visiting teaching to another person down the road. By some amazing luck, Sage's long lost friend Josh was home from kindergarten. Of course, there was no way I had any luck talking Sage into going visiting teaching with me. So she stayed and played. The following conversation was captured by Josh's dad.

Such a "classic" boy/girl exchange. Joshua's 5 year-old friend Sage is here:

Sage: "We're playing Mom and Dad. I'm the Mom, you're the Dad and
these are our babies."
Joshua: Making a face, "Nooooooaaa!!! I'm a transformer!"
Sage: "I thought we were playing Mom and Dad and you're the Dad!"
Joshua: "OK... but I can turn into a transformer anytime I want!"

Isn't compromise great?

Sage: "If you play Mom and Dad with me, I'll let you drive the car."
Joshua: "I don't care. I just want to play this."
Sage: "'I don't care' means you want to play."
Joshua: "No it doesn't."
Sage: "If somebody is nice to me and promises to play
with me something I want to play, I will, will love them."

The Joshua/Sage soap goes on and on, quite funny. In the end, Sage decided to play cars with Joshua as long as he didn't, "get her in trouble."

****************************************************************************************************************************************

To be honest, Sage can be a brat and a handful. After she gives me attitude, she storms off to her room and slams the door. Andrew's pediatric attending told him that slamming doors is one of the signs of puberty, Andrew said: My four year old already is doing that!

Sage told me that I was her stepmother because I wouldn't give her what she wants. Some of the days I simply don't like her very much. Every time she gives me an episode of storming off to her room and slamming the door, I worry about how Sage will turn out as a teenager and an adult. I feel strongly that the latter day kids are born to be more stubborn and willful than ever before so when they decide to choose the right, they can remain strong for what's coming at them in this world. I have to keep saying that to myself some days just to stay sane.

It is with this thought that I would like to talk about the tender mercies of the Lord. While I was straightening up the bookshelves recently, I felt an impression that I should read the Book of Mormon Stories with Sage. If you don't know what it is, it is a children's version of the Book of Mormon with vivid drawings of the events in the scriptures.

We had a few moments of struggle when I first tried to read it to her, she tried to boss me and acted like she knew the stories more than me. But I held firm and she finally gave in and I was able to read to her from the first pages telling her about Joseph Smith and the gold plates. I couldn't believe how much she enjoyed it. She took it all in and was very attentive to what I had to say. Reading the scriptures to Sage brought the spirit to my heart, and it helped me to see her as a person who God loves very much.

I am grateful to be able to receive that prompting to read the scriptures to Sage in ways she could understand. As a family, we have been reading "grown up scriptures" since Sage was born because all of our children read well, so we haven't been focusing so much on reading it at Sage's level. I feel with each additional child we add to the family, the less I am able to focus on each single one and their needs. Sometimes the task of mothering is overwhelming, and I feel like I am not reaching my kids like I should. I think sometimes I just want to quick fix my kids, I lose sight of how to teach them God's way.

God showed my his tender mercy when I least expected. I felt He wants me to stay with the basics as a mom. After all we can do, as long as we teach our children the gospel of Jesus Christ and bring Jesus's teaching into our daily living, they will feel his influence at home. And after everything we do for our children, this is the most important thing we CAN do for them.

I wonder how long I will be writing about my willful Sage on this blog. I wonder if everything I am doing for her will eventually yield a wholesome young woman? I wonder if you will get to see pictures of her with her beautiful dark hair and radiant smile on this blog posing in her wedding grown in front of a temple on her wedding day? Here is an interesting thought, if we all keep writing about our kids on our blogs, no matter if we never see each other again or where we are in this world, we will literally watch each other's kids grow up to adulthood in cyber space... something to think about for a while, huh?

Random Things

2010-09-28T21:06:00.003-04:00

After a full winter of feasting on Kettle cooked potato chips, chocolates and other sinful indulgence, when spring came this year, the pants I have been wearing for the last few years seemed to have shrunk at the hip. It has been a little hard to take. But I've finally stopped groaning. When my mom visited me in the summer, she agreed I was in fact, fat. The same summer, I picked up my sister who I haven't seen in seven years from the airport, she looked at me up and down for a while, and kindly shared her observation with me: "Your stomach is a little bit big." If you think it's just my family and that they say crazy things, wait till you hear this: There is an elderly Chinese grandma who walks her grandkids to the bus stop every morning. I haven't seen her since autumn of last year. I saw her this fall in the beginning of school year, after greeting one another, she said: "Hey, you look like you've gained weight."

Oh really? I had no idea. Thanks for the detailed observation...

Perhaps Sage saw the change in me, or maybe she was merely joking, but a couple of days ago she said this to me:

Mom, you have a big bum like Daddy's. (very exaggeratedly separating her right hand and her left hand, making a HUGE, wide gap in between.) Then with one shoulder slightly raised and her head bend to the side to accentuate her cuteness, she said this accompanied by a sweet smile:

But I will not tell you it is Giant.

Here is what else is on Sage's mind:

Sage took out a spaghetti strapped sun dress and asked: Mom, I am going to wear this with nothing inside to show my shoulders, only for inside the house, ok?

I answered: No.

Sage: Oh, please, please, plea-sssee... I will give you a kiss?

After repeated refusal by her mom, before Sage stormed off, she gave me a glaring look and said: "I don't 'fink' I want you to be my mom anymore."

Sage met up with Andrew when he got home and said: "Daddy, I ate a piece of your gum. But it's ok - I forgive you."

Sage to Jade: "Stop talking! I am 'finking'!"

Follow me in the next post: Summer 2010... that was when I still liked Sage and took lots of pictures of her.

Summer 2010, part 1

2010-09-23T10:35:00.001-04:00

Summer 2010, Part 1

A day at the beach, Solomon, MD.

Don't let her look fool you, the water was pleasantly warm.

Showing off his shell.

Sage loved to grab "treasures" she found under the water. She thinks ocean swimming is WAY better than the pool, other than the salt water.

Meadowside Nature Center.

Sage pretending to be a sleeping pioneer girl.

Waking up at the first crow.

Yawning.

Starts her busy day in the log house.

...wish she was really this hard working in real life...

Of course, what's summer without crabbing with our good friends the Harris'. This was the last time we get to crab together before they left for Hawaii.

Aspen and Emma

Chicken necks - crabs favorite treats

Behold,

Dinner!!

Billy Goats Trail, Potomac River.

Frog spawn, looked like decorative balls.

Some cute kids we found along the way

Preschool

2010-09-15T16:00:00.002-04:00

Sage's first day of Preschool, Sept 9, 2010.

Sage Is BACK

2010-09-12T20:52:00.001-04:00

If you remember, I wrote a farewell post about the ill manners of Sage. Afterwards, I rolled up my sleeves and went to work on training her to be a good citizen. I am happy to say that she is mostly pleasant these days. But of course, her being Sage, I should've known that she would save her treacherous ways for a more worthy foe - her elder sister.

Jade came to me this morning and related to me the following story. Here is what happened:

This morning, Sage found Jade sitting at the dining table eating cereal. She stood there watching Jade for a moment, then finding she didn't receive the attention she deserved, she started stomping forcefully on the floor.

(Stomp) paused for 3 seconds looking for reactions, received none...

(Stomp) paused for another 3 seconds, again, didn't get a reaction.

(Stomp) again, 3 second watch, this time, Jade finally looked at her.

"What?!" said Jade.

"I (stomp).want(stomp).a bowl (stomp).of (stomp).CEREAL (stomp)!" Sage stated her intention with her winning attitude.

Jade gave her a look of "you don't scare me" and told her to get her own bowl and went back to eating and reading (which is, of course, not permitted at the dining table.)

Sage: "No."(stomp)

Jade:"Get your own bowl or I'll spank you." (Such an attitude would surely get her in trouble.)

"OK" submissive Sage scurried away...

Tomorrow Sage starts her second day in preschool. As much as she is a handful, I miss her quite a bit. I think it's very hard to have your baby grow up and leave you...

Youth Conference 2010

2010-06-26T17:02:00.003-04:00

Andrew and I had the opportunity to be Ma and Pa for our stake youth conference this year. We took the youth to Palmyra New York to visit Hill Cumorah, Gradon bookstore where the book of Mormon were published, the Smith's log cabin and the Sacred Grove.

During the Ma and Pa training, it was understood that we were supposed to arrive at the Stake Center at 5am on youth conference day. Andrew and I had everything packed and ready to go the night before. I had everything planned to perfection except for being late. That morning we woke up at 5:15 am!! Andrew truly jumped out of bed and shouted: "Aren't we supposed to be there at 5?" and that woke me up. We scrambled out of the door and rushed the 20 min. drive to the stake center.

He drove with great style and pizazz, until at a red light, a cop car pulled up beside us and said in his deep voice: "You might want to slow down". He then drove away!!! I couldn't believe we only got a warning for that and what's more, didn't even get pulled over, otherwise, we would have lost more time. Talk about tender mercies of the Lord! Now I think back that we were able to get up at 5:15am without an alarm is a miracle too! (Our kids were charged with playing the alarm and switching the alarm to CD the night before. )

When we finally made it to the stake center, the parking lot was already busy with people directing traffic and parents dropping kids off. Talk about embarrassing, of all places, Andrew stopped the car right in front of President Talbert (a member of the stake presidency) with him looking straight into my eyes. I could tell that he was startled to see me just arriving and then he had the look of : " YOU ARE REALLY, REALLY LATE!!!!" I hopped out of the car at super human speed and ran right past him without even saying good morning (ha ha ha). I was like a bullet running with my eyes fixed on those front doors of the church building while dodging people everywhere.

I ran to the spot marked "Fisher Family" inside the cultural hall and saw 3 or 4 out of 11 of my kids were already sitting there. There is truly nothing more embarrassing then the moment when I had to face those kids and tell them why their ma and pa were late.

I was slightly relieved to see that they were good natured and seemed to have forgiven me on the spot. However, my face burned with embarrassment for the next 3 hours. ... then it finally stopped burning, so guess I eventually got over it.

A month ago prior to the YC, I had the opportunity to go to Palmyra with some other stake leaders to "scout" the area and to time the route the buses were to travel. Now that YC is over, it's very interesting to see how all the planning came to fruition. I've gained much respect for those who plan youth events year after year in our stake and I feel I have learned a lot about leadership in the process. But as fun as that experience was, being a ma and pa for a group of youth was so much better! I feel very privileged to be with the youth assigned to our family.

During our ride home, at 11 o'clock at night, one of our bus's tires completely blew out. We were basically a sitting duck until a repair truck could get to us. Since we were travelling with 2 other buses, we could also wait for one of the bus to first drop the kids off at the stake center and turn around to pick us up, making total wait time at least 3 hours. I was about to have a panic attack because we thought we might get home at 12:30am, I had asked our friends who were watching our kids to go home before 11 o'clock, leaving Jade to watch the younger kids while they were asleep. The estimation at the time was that we would arrive at the stake center around 4am. There was nothing I could do but to say a prayer asking Heavenly Father to please help my littler ones to sleep through without waking up crying like they sometimes do. A friend on the bus assured me in all her wisdom that God would look out for my children. The good news is all the kids on the bus were just happy to hang out longer with their new friends, everybody got out of the bus to play on that parking lot in the middle of nowhere.

About an hour into our wait, the repair truck pulled up to our great delight and replaced the flat in record time. I didn't think we had to wait too long and the spirits of the youth were still high by the time we were on the road again. I truly felt that God was watching out for us since the morning we woke up.

Andrew and I were blessed to have some outstanding kids in our family. We were so impressed with their strength and dedication to the Lord. We had some wonderful family discussions together during youth conference, and I felt blessed to be able to say a thing or two that might have made an impact on them. I loved all the kids assigned to our family and it's funny, I felt a little bit out of place without them when we got home.

Due to the sudden (apparent) death of our desktop (sad, sad, sad), all our stored pictures from YC are currently irretrievable inside the belly of the machine. It looks like Andrew's dream of getting a Mac is coming true very, very soon indeed.

Brothers and Pets

2010-06-11T19:53:00.000-04:00

My son Kirin is a great writer. I've enjoyed many of his insightful and descriptive writings. I think that he often feels cheated to be the only boy in the family. He endures his solitary status with some occasional outbursts of frustration. Every so often, he asks for a pet. He does it so very solemnly, very low-key. But because he asks so submissively, my heart aches a little every time I say no to him.

He recently wrote this little thing about summer with pictures to match the writing.

"Summer is a perfect season to go swimming at an outdoor pool. Summer is a time to go to the beach. A time to pick berries and a day to go to parties. It is also a good time to play sports, play outside and to go bike riding. Perfect day to buy a pet for the season."

I happened to believe that by the time an idea made its way to the paper, the author would have thought about it several times over already. That getting a pet for the summer made it to Kirin's paper probably means that the idea has never left his mind at all...

Our neighbor who has a daughter and a son is expecting a baby boy in the fall. With that news, he almost cried and muttered that he is the only boy he knows without a brother.

Today, as he was getting into the car after being picked up from a buddy's house, he stated that he did not want to come home.
"I want to stay at Thomas' house for 3 million more hours."

"Oh, you can't. You live at our house."

"But if I stay at Thomas' house, then I would have a brother."

I've heard more experienced parents said that there comes to a time when you realize that you can't do anything for your children. I can't really remember when I have felt that way. This might just be my first.

Taco Bar

2010-05-12T01:01:00.001-04:00

Nestled behind a busy Japanese restaurant, and just outside of the bustling scenes of Rio's shopping district, is a very plain looking gas station, easily missed by traffic. Like most gas stations, this one has a convenience store, but that's not all - it also houses a little gem of a Mexican eatery. I loved it the moment I saw it.

When I walked inside, I was slightly perplexed. I was quite certain there was a poster of tacos and burritos pasted on the entrance door... but, wait, am I in fact standing inside a liquor store? I looked around me, and indeed found myself standing inside such an establishment. Stored in their coolers, where you might expect to find chilling juices and soda, this one was filled with alcohol and beer. In the center of the store were shelves lined with bottled wine.

Behind the counter sat a man who didn't stand up to greet us as we entered; instead, he seemed content to just watch us (Andrew and me) and wait for our order. I took a look at the menu, delighted; most items were under $5.00. I beamed at the sight of Tacos De Lengua De Res (beef tongue) on the menu board. My first encounter with beef tongue was at a Mexican eatery similar to this one in Utah, and I remembered how much I enjoyed it. And this one didn't disappoint. I also loved their Suadero (grilled rib meat). It was quite delicious, the taco came with a little pile of genuine rib meat without the fillers.

But I must spend a little bit of effort to say a word or two about their $3.99 Nachos. Friends, if you like Nachos, you've gotta get yourself over there Right Now! I don't even like Nachos, but I LOVE their Nachos! Be forewarned: it is not an impressive looking dish. But if you're willing to give it a try, you will find yourself picking up one cheese-smothered tortilla chip after another and stuffing them into your mouth with abandon - and your mouth happily obliging. This is what I love most - the crunch!!! It's when you bite into it, the loud crunchy sound it makes... pure joy!! The tortilla chips are hand cut, freshly fried as you order. I know that might not sound so original if you think you have eaten a lot of good Nachos. But, friends, trust me, you have not had Nachos until you have had THOSE Nachos. Just think of kettle-cooked potato chips, have you had those? They are much crunchier than your regular potato chips. OK, with that in mind, imagine these Nacho chips being much, much crunchier AND thicker!! Could such a thing really exist? YES, it does, at Taco Bar in Rio.

Theirs was simply, simple food made right.

Here is their address if you ever want to check them out.

10003 Fields Rd, Gaithersburg. (301)987-0376. www.tacobarwashingtonian.com

When you are there, don't forget to head to their salsa bar, and if you like heat, be sure to pile your plate with the pickled jalapeño peppers.

Just be aware, it is a tiny little place with not enough tables, and they are busy.

Another caution: Leave your kids at home, too many breakables.

The Last of the Sage-isms

2010-04-26T23:31:00.002-04:00

Sage went on a rampage through her sisters' room, emptied the contents of their special treasures and ate their carefully hidden sour ice breakers and gum, uncapped all their special markers and left them on the floor to dry.
Finding their room a disaster, the older sisters teamed up to confront Sage, who light-heartedly ignored their repeated demand for justice. I held her down so she couldn't move and asked if indeed she had done as described. She replied with a slight smirk: "No, not me. A ghost did it."

In the car the other day, Sage kicked Jade on a whim. Jade yelled out in annoyance: "Sage just kicked me for no reason."
I turned around and sternly asked Sage to apologize. Following is our conversation:

Sage: Who was it that said I kicked her?
Me: Who do you think? Probably the person whom you kicked.
Sage: Well, (a slight pause)that would be Jade.(after another pause) It wasn't me. It was a ghost.

Memory flashed in my mind of Andrew telling me more than once that Sage reminds him of the woman he married. HONESTLY, I have no idea what personality traits he is referring to.

Up until that day I suffered from only a tiny bit of guilt thinking I might be spoiling Sage somewhat. I am blogging this now because I have been determined since last week to put an end to these nonsense Sage-isms. I raised the first 3 kids with order and respect, certainly I can handle a four-year-old Sage. This is the last of my posts on the smart aleck Sage. Soon, I expect to only report on a polite, please-saying, people-pleasing, property-respecting, and thoughtful Sage.

Be Strong and of A Good Courage

2010-04-07T15:11:00.003-04:00

Jade is really liking the youth theme song: Be strong and of a good courage. She has been listening it on YouTube and singing it around the house. Sage apparently picked up on the song as well.

I was lying in bed today with a bad headache, Sage crawled up to me and said: "Momee, look for my wand with me."
Barely muttering, "No, my head hurts."
There she sits by me, starting to sing ONLY this line of the song: " be strong and of a good courage"
I laughed. Sort of. My head really hurt.

That Sage...(sigh) I know there is a reason why she is placed in my home. I don't know why yet, seeing she is only 4. But I know I will find out one day why she is here, as my daughter. When that day comes, I pray I would "be strong and of a good courage."

Billy Goat Gruff

2010-04-01T22:59:00.014-04:00

I posted this one last week, but it disappeared on my blog. Sorry this isn't anything new, I am just re-posting it.

We found this place the first year we were here. It has a wooden plank bridge that sways and a river running underneath. Because of that, my kids call the hiking trail we took to get there the "Billy Goat Gruff" trail. Every time we go there, Kirin plays the troll under the bridge and our 3 girls each take their turn playing a billy goat.

Look, she is practically leaping.

My eyes are really blurry today, so most of the pictures I took of the kids turned out not in focus. It 's really a shame, so sad. The majority of the focused ones are on Sage, that's why she is featured most on this post.

Kirin

2010-03-31T22:42:00.000-04:00

Look Who Turned 4

2010-03-28T22:24:00.000-04:00

Sage had a birthday. She turned 4!
This was her first real party, she had a blast, along with her many young friends.

I am the lamest party thrower, so I just invited the kids and had nothing else planned. Thankfully, my friend Lorraine stayed and became the party planner and saved the day!! The party would have totally bummed without her...

She lead the kids in Red light/Green light

How happy they looked...

They also played Duck Duck Goose

Afterward, the kids rested by eating some birthday cupcakes,

Wow, so easy, even I could whip them up!!

Opening the presents

The present admirer...

Happy birthday Sage! My life wouldn't been the same without you. Thanks for keeping me on my toes all day long...

Mormon Prom - The After Pictures

2010-03-20T22:39:00.011-04:00

Here is the after pictures of the prom. This is the first year that our stake put on such a production. Before Christmas of last year, I was approached by a member of the stake presidency to be the chair of designing for the prom. I thought he was crazy for asking me, I really didn't think I could do it. But I have to say I am grateful for this opportunity to be working with some real stellar people. I think I had way too much fun.

The theme the youth asked for was "A Night In Italy"
It has been a fun project. Below is the efforts of many talented people, so enjoy.

Entry Way

Look at the gondola !

Grass soften the edge of the stone walkway and stars hanging from above

Entering the Cultural Hall Door

Venice Scene

The Million Dollar Shutter

Double Arch and Half Wall

Check Out the grass!

Garden Trellis and Arch with Fountain

Do you see - An actual working fountain!!

Pizzeria

Brick walls

Check out the awning and the chef!

Job chart

Lay out of the gym and where everything goes

Picture area for photos

Stage with grand columns, look at the marbled effect on the columns!

It was a huge undertaking and now I am sleeping some again!! It was a wonderful experience for me.We had 300 kids showed up, everyone had a great time. It was the most successful dance the stake had EVER!!

From this experience, I think the hardest part was probably working without a committee, so I never know how many people I can get when I need a big crew to help me. But thankfully, I have some really dependable friends. Thank you, Thank you!!

My husband and kids also had 2 nights of chicken nuggets in the last week when I was gone all the time. I didn't think I saw my kids the last 2 Saturdays before the prom. But I am not complaining, I really had a lot of fun.

I was just so pleased that everything was a success. And I feel really proud for how everything turned out!

Mormon Prom

2010-03-09T22:51:00.109-05:00

Our stake decided to take on a multi-stake Mormon Prom this year with a whopping budget of $3000! Yep, you've heard it right: Three Thousand Dollars!!

(Don't worry though, we've been careful so far, well under budget)

I have been involved in this project since...wow, it was before Christmas... I can't believe it has been that long. Equally, I can't believe all of it will be over in about 2 weeks...

I think the biggest highlight of this project for me are:

#1. I enjoy projects that can get me messy. So that means fun!

#2. It scared me to death, and I have a thing about challenges- that I always want to beat them. So that means rebellion!
I love both!

Last Saturday, we spent the whole day there painting and building sets. It was a great day to just be there and working on something that I always love to do. I would have to say at the end of the day, when I finally sat down, I felt so relieved. So So relieved, seeing the concepts on paper coming together so beautifully. It was an amazing feeling. I have no words to describe it. But through it all, I came away feeling so grateful for the whole experience. I came to see how much God cares about his youth. And I came to understand if we put our best effort into something, he will make up all the difference...I can go on and on about this, if you would like Chaoyi's lengthy spiritual narration, please give me a call. My purpose for blogging about this is because my two girls have been pestering me about posting, and also just to put up some pictures to remember this moment by.

The theme of the prom is "A Night in Italy", these pictures are randomly posted, and not in any particular order. Thanks to the two most amazing brothers in our stake who are also carpenters by trade, the sets came out magnefincient. We will have bridges with water, a gondola with a gondolier, stone garden wall and arches, trellis with vines and a water fountain That Really Works! Everyone's favorite set and the most time consuming to paint is a set of cityscapes that makes Venice so famous. I don't know how to describe it, but it'a row of town homes that will have water under and a bridge that will sort of go across them... The RS room will be transformed into a pizzera with brick walls, and ltalian flag table cloths, banners, I hope it will be a riot.

I was talking to a friend today about serving in Primary, since that is my current calling. I was commenting how I will never "get out" of being a primary teacher all my life as in my patriacal blessing it states something about me teaching kids...And it seems in every ward I was in except for two, I get call to be a primary teacher, sooner or later. After the phone call, I was contemplating myself and my primary callings, and I thought of a few different positions in the RS that I also served in which were definitely emotionally and spiritually taxing. And I thought of all the songs I learned in primary as an adult because I was baptized later in life, how they have helped me so much as a mother to be able to sing along with my kids...

I do love it most of the time in Primary, I love how in primary, I feel a lot of love and not a lot of burden like some RS callings. At the beginning of this year, it was a bit of the struggle for me. But those kids crack me up and on some days, there is an abundance of Spirit in there. Why am I saying this? ... oh yeah, this prom was a nice change of scenery for me, and it was kind of liberating for me last Saturday to come to church and to work and talk with adults!! Hurray!

I always think of these two phrases when a calling gets hard for me, the first one is "Forget yourself and go to work." and the second "Many are called, but few are chosen."
They help shape me up. And I so need it - very frequently!

There is a new song this year in primary, which is becoming my favorite, it's called "I know my Savior loves me." I get teary eyed every time we sing that song in primary. It truly is song that combines the best of all the primary songs. I simply can't get enough of it.

Anyway, I didn't think this was going to be a wordy post, I am just here to post some pictures and write a few notes by each of them. But I guess with me, it's never just a few words...

Jade and Aspen, I will post some more "finished" pictures after the prom.
Oh, yeah, Jade and Aspen came and helped paint, they were troopers and worked really hard. They are great painters. Aspen did the stained glass window all by herself. (which was not part of the design, but Aspen probably thought my design was boring) The picture didn't do it justice. But it was a bang-up job!! Way to go, Aspen!

Note to myself: It was so fun trying to create different texture and tones of colors for the buildings. On one building, I was able to rub off the surface colors to reveal the color underneath, sort of creating the old peeling-paint look of the homes in Venice.

The youth who came had so much fun. I was so glad to see them show up. Thank you also to all the grown ups who came to help. I appreciate you sharing your time and talents!

Beautiful Jade

2010-02-22T21:27:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow is Jade's birthday. She turns 12!

When Jade was born in Taiwan, Andrew called to tell his mother about the birth of his first child. This was their conversation (something like this, anyway):

"Hello...just wanted you to know you have a new grand-daughter."

"Oh, how wonderful!!"

"Yeah, she weighs 6 and a half lbs..."

"I am putting her birthday on my calendar. (talking to herself) February 22nd..."

"No Mom, today is February 23rd!!"

"No, today is the 22nd. The 23rd is tomorrow!!"

Chuckles..."Well, it's the 23rd in Taiwan!"

Andrew's mom called all his other 8 siblings and had a great difficulty explaining how this new baby is supposed to be born tomorrow their time but had already been born in Taiwan...

Jade -at one day old. I thought she was mature looking, meaning she wasn't very wrinkley like most babies.

Jade - at three months old. This is her passport picture we had taken in preparation for her returning to the US.

My Dad looked at the picture and exclaimed: "She looks like a future American President!"

Jade - 2 years old.

Jade- 4 years old.

Fast forward...

Jade - 9 years old.

Jade- 11 years old.

Jade - 3 days shy of 12 years old. Her birthday party.

Jade and Amanda - Best friends!

After the pool

Hand-Dipped Messy Affair

Aspen: This is so messy, I am gonna use chopsticks!!

Mom: I thought the fun is that it's hand-dipped.

Aspen: I don't care, I am Chinese. I can use chopsticks!

After Aspen demonstrated how successful chopsticks-dipping chocolates can be, everyone else followed suit.

Jae-hee, the Korean girl, reaffirmed that chopsticks was the smart idea. "Look at this perfect little ball!! Who wants it - A perfect little ball!"

This is their conversation while dipping using chopsticks.

"This is such a better idea!"

"I like Asian dipped chocolates!"

"Yeah, I like Asian dipped chocolates too!"

"Yeah, Asian dipped chocolates are cool!"

Before using the chopsticks, this is what we have:

And followed by immediate rewards!!

Like this:

And this:

Amanda - she didn't even care that I was snapping pictures of her devouring her hand.

Me: Amanda, can I put these pictures of you on my blog?

Amanda: What? I will be famous - but in a bad way...(shrugs) Sure!

Here is Amanda. Enjoy!

I just LOVE this girl~

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To me, this is not just any birthday party. My first child is moving on to Young Womens! It feels like such a big mile stone for me as well. In my mind, I am seeing myself dropping her off at the steps of her college, and crying as I steal glances of her from the rear view mirror...

Jade was spotlighted in Primary today by her dad. It was such a sweet tender moment as Andrew talked about his daughter. He and Jade share an intimate bond. He is such a great dad for her, they have many lengthy conversations together where she sits on his lap. He is really good for the kids that way. He has the patience of a Saint. And she really needs his steadfastness.

Just look at these girls, and their fabulous age!

How precious are our daughters!

A very happy birthday to my amazing Jade!!

12 years old!!

My Knight Fell Off His Horse

2010-02-10T23:47:00.001-05:00

Me talking to my husband in our bathroom: When can you be my knight in shining armor and scrub this toilet?

Andrew: (Chuckles... but doesn't answer)

Me: Rephrase.When can I expect you to gallantly fight my battle for me against the toilet?

Andrew: Hmm... You may expect that this weekend.

Me: Oh, good...

Incidentally, he hurt his back while shoveling the snow. I mean, he really disabled himself.
I guess the toilet might have to wait until my knight gets back on his horse.

Venting

2010-02-03T20:01:00.002-05:00

Before we bought a car for Andrew to use for school, he took public transportation the first year we were here. During which time, he brought home 4 different phone numbers of Chinese women who saw him reading Chinese on the transit and struck up a conversation with him. After learning his wife is Chinese and we have 4 children that speak Chinese, the women would hand him their numbers and ask to have me call them so we could get together. I am sure my husband must have left great first impressions. I am beginning to realize that I really don't have any Chinese friends.

I left Taiwan at age 15, so my Chinese language skills are limited. There are many great pieces of Chinese literature that I haven't even read. Once my sister and I met a Westerner who was on a plane going back to Taiwan, she had studied Chinese for many many years, and she was telling us about all the great classics she read over the years. None of which my sister and I had ever read. To be honest, it's a strain to be speaking to my kids in Chinese constantly, I often have to stop and think about the words or phrases in Chinese myself. Andrew and I are doing our best to teach our kids the language; unfortunately, we really stumble sometimes.

Parents who worry that their children might get behind in school so they never teach children their native tongue are doing a huge disservice to their kids. Parents who are embarrassed to speak their mother tongue to their children for fear of getting funny looks or of what others might think of the language are fools. I once had a friend who told me it's rude to speak Chinese in front of her because she doesn't know what we are saying. I think if I choose to speak Chinese only when it's socially convenient or acceptable than my kids will pick up on our insecurity and will not want to speak anymore. I think anyone who thinks it's rude that someone speaks a different language in front of them because of their own lack of understanding is foolish too.

Due to homesickness, I went back home for 2 months during the my first year in Canada. One day on the street during my visit, I saw a foreigner being circled about by probably 7 or 8 Chinese, all trying to speak English to him. I can only imagine he probably felt very welcomed and accepted in Taiwan with such hospitality. I felt angry and sour (I was young), because where I went, there was no one there to befriend me or to teach me English. No one cared if I was new in the country. I felt like I'd better pick up the slack and learn my English if I wanted to converse with anyone or do anything. I know there are Westerners in Taiwan or other parts of Asia who never learn much of the new language and they function just fine with people always willing to help. I am not saying people who come to this country shouldn't learn English. I just never seem to find such tolerance and understanding in this country for those who are struggling with the language.

My sister's husband is a CBC (Canadian-Born Chinese), his Chinese is not real great. One time when my parents visited them, he served them hot dogs with a side of pickles. My Dad took one glance at the food and said to my mom, "Let's pack up and take the first available flight home."

In Chinese culture, there is a principle of behavior that is very important relating to how people treat their elders, often translated as "filial piety" (it's quite a bit weightier than the Western concept of respect); serving hot dogs to Chinese parents would definitely violate this.

When my parents visited us, we served them hot rice porridge for breakfast with an accompanying assortment of small dishes. Then their white son in law sat down with them and heartily ate bowl after bowl of it. And if my dad slurped, Andrew happily slurped right along with him.... what a duo.

I do have to say, Chinese people really don't expect a Caucasian to really be Chinese. As long as you can speak a few broken Chinese phrases and are willing to try a little bit of strange food, they will whole-heartedly love and accept you for trying.

I love my heritage and am proud of so much goodness from this culture. But there are so many silly pretenses that just don't make sense. Many years ago, I saw my mom do something that is a very Chinese thing to do but very silly in my opinion, and I asked her why she did it even when it doesn't make any sense. She just said, it is because it is socially acceptable, so we've got to do it. I don't agree with that. I never understood that part of my culture, so I never really fit in. I think a cultural heritage is there to add layers and depth to an individual. But it should not bind us down or in any way define us.

In fine, being Chinese is a strange thing: you can look like Chinese without really being Chinese (like my brother-in-law and the rebellious part of me). Or you can look nothing like it when you really are (ie: my husband... partly because he speaks Chinese almost without an accent - but mostly because he enjoys slurping.)

Sage - Still Fabulous

2010-01-19T21:58:00.001-05:00

Sage, having just finished eating one candy cane, is attempting to get another candy cane out of its box.

Me: "Sage, one is enough."

Sage: "You should be like the TV says. 'Don't get mad, get Glad'."

While I laugh my heart out, she takes another candy cane out of the box and sneaks away...

Some Sage-ful thought

2010-01-13T19:50:00.003-05:00

I am up early nowadays making breakfast for a middle schooler and catching a moment of conversation with her before she goes out the door to catch the morning bus.

There is nothing about waking up early that I like, but I do like my daughter to know I care enough about her to wake up with her. And I don't want her to wake up to a dark house and have to eat cold cereal by herself.

There was nothing I liked about waking up early, until I noticed a repeated pattern happening every morning in my house. There I am in the kitchen half awake making breakfast, sometimes talking to Jade quietly, when I hear a pair of little feet going "stomp", "stomp", "stomp" down the stairs. Listening to the sound, I know those little feet are not walking, they are sliding to the edge of each step and then hopping down lightly to the next. Then I will look up in anticipation, until I see a pink-faced, bright-smiled little girl peek her head out from where the stairs disappear behind the wall.

Our eyes find each other.

Then she always says with a burst of laugher: "MOM-mmee, I am awake!"

Oh, yes she is. Then she hops down the rest of the stairs and runs to me for a tight squeeze and a fresh morning kiss.
How I love my baby Sage.

I tell her so, that she is my baby. To this, she looks at me straight faced and says to me very solemnly: "I've grown up. I am a child."

I look at her, and I know she is right.

The other day I took her to a fast food place to meet a friend (gosh darn me, after my previous post I still dare to feed her fast food), and she was playing in the play place and was trying to solve some issue about a child not willing to share. Not successfully. She turned around, surveying the moms who were sitting nearby, and announced with gusto: "I need a mommy now!"

She is in Sunbeams this year. I get to see all of my kids on Sundays in primary. I cherish that. But inside I am feeling like an empty nester.

I heard her saying this to her teacher in sharing time:
"After she (the girl giving a talk) is done, is it my turn?"
"No."
Sigh. "I am so beautiful."

Sage- She is an old soul trapped in a small body.

My quiet morning with Jade quickly vanishes with Sage greeting the world with unceasing chattering and questioning until my ears are full of her little voice. I beg: "Can you please stop talking for a minute?"
Yet, she talks and talks and talks...

I know she will grow out of that eventually, she will want to talk more to her friends on the phone than to me. But for now, I am thankful I am still the first person she wants to see first thing every morning. And to tell you the truth, she has a wonderfully cute voice even if it does hurt my ear and my nerves.

Americanize Me

2010-01-09T21:34:00.000-05:00

I love Costco. I am a big fan.
I love their salmon, especially the ones with skin still on, my kids love the skin more than the fish itself. When it's done well, the skin is crispy like crackers. I love their red snapper, you have to scale the fish at home, but if you stuff them with lemon and herbs and pan fry them, it's most divine!!
I also love Costco's mushrooms, English cucumbers, organic spring mix, and their fingerling potatoes.

When Costco first announced it's intention to open in Japan, I was sure it will gain loyal customers, because it's Costco and who doesn't like Costco. Yet I admit I can't help but feeling somewhat skeptical. After all, we are talking about a nation with the healthiest eating habits that produces the healthiest people on earth. And this is what I know about Japanese: Everything they do is small. They have very small homes (to store bulk), they have very few children (to be buying bulk), they drive small cars, they buy food in small quantities and they buy them fresh.

Of course, I suspected Costco did their research too, and somehow was able to educate the Japanese public on the goodness of the American way: Biggie size everything.
I am not making fun, I am merely stating a fact. I am a proud carrier of a Costco card, I am an executive member to be exact. (That means I spent enough money to pay extra for the upgrade)

Costco became a huge hit in Japan, right on the opening day!

Years ago, I visited Taiwan after long years of absence, and was shocked to learn that many of the elementary school kids there are joining after-school "weight losing" classes. The media pointed their finger at McDonald's, saying childhood obesity and diabetes only occurred in Asia after the invasion of McDonald's. But only just a few years before that, McDonald's restaurants were shutting down one after another in Taiwan for lack of business. How did they resurrect from the dead ? To fix the problem, McDonald's started serving hot Chinese lunch boxes and authethic Chinese tea for parents or grandparents who are not accustomed to eating Western food. This was clever marketing, because when adults are given "edible" food at McDonalds, there is no more reason to not bring their youngsters in for a "happy meal."

And to boost their business some more, they started free lunch delivery services to any elementary school as long as a parent requests it. So it has become a very popular lunch choice among the school age kids.

Parents in Taiwan weren't given options to buy school lunches, because they didn't exist back then. When I was in school, we brought home lunches very day, we got rice, some meat, or fish and vegetables and they were laid in tin lunch containers with tin lids. And every morning before 1st period started, kids put their lunch boxes into a big stainless steel box and two students from each classrooms would carry the big box into the school kitchen, the lunch was then steamed and ready by lunch time. Everyone brought home lunches, no one ever thought of eating anything else.There were no brownies or cookies with our lunches either, water was the beverage. I heard kids in Taiwan all eat school lunches now, but they consist of real fresh foods and vegetables, and all served hot. No one has heard of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

I found this little clip online on school lunches in other countries, I find it fascinating. I wish our kids in this country get to sample such delicious food for their lunches.

"In Finland, in the 80's, food at our school was served family style w/ a big bowl of grub set on tables that held about 12 students and 1 teacher. My favorite was salmon and potato casserole; my least, blood pancakes and pea soup on Thursdays. The breads were excellent. With the bowl of fresh apples was also a bowl of peelers to take off the insecticide laden skin.
"In a private school in Bolivia a major 3 course lunch was served. As there were few canned and no frozen food in such a poor country, everything was fresh and made from scratch.Soup was prepared daily, the fried chicken and rice w/ strawberry pie for dessert was my favorite and I can't remember anything I didn't like. I wish I had some photos. At morning break, I loved the chicken saltenas and strawberry baltidos.
In the 90's back in Maine, the price of lobsters was so low, both my wife's and my elementary schools both served lobster stew! And the kids threw it out!" - Passadumkeg, commenting on Chowhound at http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/624197#4740585

I remember my father took us to the first ever McDonald's when it opened in Taiwan. I don't remember what meal I ate, but I remember eating a hot fudge sundae afterwards, and I remember how the hot fudge was gooey and it stuck to my mouth. And I remembered it being too sweet, none of us finished it. But now, my taste has become Americanized, a hot fudge sundae - I can finish it all by myself.

I was appalled when I learned that Starbucks crept its way into the famous Forbidden City in China. Thankfully, someone started a crusade against the store, saying "it marred the solemnity of the Forbidden City and undermined Chinese culture." I couldn't have said it better or agreed with it more. Starbucks closed its lease in the Forbidden City in 2007, after 7 long years of operation there. I am not mad at Starbucks, I am mad at the dim-witted Chinese person/people who ever allowed such notion.

I love America, and as you can plainly see, so does the rest of the world. I think the world has this romantic notion that everything from America must be wonderful so everyone wants a little bit of that wonderfulness in some way. A little bit of America in your country means you are now more modernized and upperclass.
Eventually, the entire world will all end up eating a Costco diet, enjoying an assortment of burgers from McDonald's and drinking Starbucks and speaking English.
Actually, isn't that already happening?

(The Costco in Taiwan also has beef bake, and it's a more popular choice than chicken)

Unmatched Socks

2010-01-04T21:07:00.016-05:00

I have collected a small pile of socks that don't have matches.
The other day as I was tossing more unpaired socks onto the pile, I turned to Andrew and just said: "I wonder what happened to the other socks?"
He said: "You've never heard 'The dryer ate them' ?"
Upon hearing that, I busted out laughing, and commented that it was no wonder I had ever lost any socks in Taiwan.

No one had a dryer in Taiwan, or perhaps in all of Asia, at least not in my generation. I remember how my mom would place long sticks of bamboo horizontally way over head on the balcony for drying clothes. We even had a long stick of bamboo with a metal prong on one end that looked kind of like a letter Y, so we could use it to lift and take down clothes.
That was what we did growing up, so did everyone else.
On beautiful summer days, if you were down on the streets and looking up, shirts, sheets, pants, towel would be flying gently on the bamboo sticks secured by wooden or plastic cloth pins. For undergarments, they were hung on a bamboo stick only about hip high for privacy.
I loved taking down clothes after they've been dried in the summer heat, they smelled of sunshine and freshness.
And on wintery days, we still line dry our clothes. We especially watched out on rainy days, which happens a lot. Sometimes we had to take the clothes into the house to dry; when that happens, we just had to improvise.
In the winter, the clothes that finally get dried are stiff, they don't have that lovely touch or smell. And if we were preoccupied and waited past 5 o'clock in the afternoon to get to our dried clothes, the humidity would get into them, then all our efforts would be frustrated. I think it was just such a big job to get the clothes all dried in the winter months, so when my mom shouted "Hurry, it's 5 o'clock!" we all just understood the severity of the situation and dropped everything to help taking down the clothes.
It was just a way of life, we did it, and my parents are still doing it. So is everyone else in Asia and other parts of the world. I dare say 'missing socks' is only largely a Western phenomenon, and especially an America phenomenon.

There is an old Chinese saying,"Watch heaven and eat rice." It relates to people in olden times who are mostly farmers, and that farmers can only do as well as the heaven would bless them to do. I think it kind of applies to drying clothes on the balcony.

I just found this article called: Is your clothesline illegal, to read click HERE

The Princess and the Pauper

2010-01-01T21:03:00.006-05:00

Sage got this DVD as a Christmas present. She loves it as expected. And so do her older sisters (not expected). Since the first premiere of this DVD in my house, it has been played over and over quite a few times with my two older girls singing at the top of their lungs,
with the movie,
after the movie,
and all the rest of the day.
And even on days when this movie is not watched.
(Note: This is a musical. And Barbie's first.)

I asked my 11 year old Jade why she likes this Barbie movie in particular, to which she replies excitedly: "This movie has a twist to it." ...Apparently she has not been exposed to too many movies.

The other day, the kids asked to watch a movie, and all the girls again requested this one. I looked at the girls and then Kirin who was sitting quietly by me and decided to put my foot down for him. I told the girls they have been watching too much of this one movie and they must let their brother Kirin decide what to watch. After a few protests and whining by the girls, Kirin stepped in to the DVD shelf and started looking through our selections. A moment later, he turned to me and said: "Mom, I don't really care what they watch." You mean, you don't mind if they want to watch "The princess and the pauper" again? "No, I don't care."

So the girls got their way. Kirin sat by them quietly and watched the whole thing again for the nth time.

The next night, while the girls were upstairs getting ready for bed, Kirin was finishing up his project in the living room alone when we heard faint singing coming from him:

"I close my eyes and feel myself fly a thousand miles away
I could take flight but would it be right, my conscience tells me stay.
I'll remine forever royal, I'll repay my parents' debt
Duty means doing the things your heart may well regret..."

Aspen turned to Jade and said, "Listen sister, Kirin is singing from the movie."
Jade said: "Shh, don't say anything, don't make fun of him."
Andrew just shook his head.
I thought it was kinda charming. But couldn't help worry just a little.

Then the next day, he finished making one of this all by himself.

All is well again.

The Fantastic 4

2009-11-30T21:31:00.000-05:00

Seriously, you didn't really think I was gonna talk about those 4, when I have THESE 4!!

******************************************************

Jade 馥寧

We wanted a name that represented part of her heritage. She was the most beautiful baby I've ever seen.

As a baby, Jade never cried. When I say that, I really mean never. My sister flew over to Taiwan to see her first niece and suggested Jade might be a mute. Now 11 years later, I can tell you she is definitely not a mute. She has sure made up for the silence of the first 2 years of her life.

Jade is an overachiever, a perfectionist. She possesses the gift of understanding. She has a fairly grounded self-concept. She is quiet, but strong. She has an eye for beauty. She internalizes everything. She enjoys writing and has already developed a distinct voice in her writing style.

Aspen 馥娓

I fell in love with the aspen groves in Utah when I moved there. The name also goes well with Jade. Stone and tree. Thus, Aspen was named.

She was my only baby that ever got chubby. As a baby, Aspen would only sleep if you put her on top of your stomach.

Aspen has beautiful almond eyes. Artistic, creative, a natural comedian. She aims to please. She is tender-hearted. A free spirit. Aspen has strong emotions. She puts on the best shows and her siblings are enchanted by her storytelling. She is sure to be clever in the kitchen. My Aspen has many unassuming but virtuous gifts.

Kirin 麒麟/復宇

My first and only son. I had wanted to have a son so I could name him Kirin. Kirin is a mythical Chinese animal, said to have "the body of a deer, the tail of an ox, the hooves of a horse, a body covered with the scales of a fish, and a single horn. The Kirin appears only before the birth or death of a great and wise person. The Kirin personifies all that is good, pure and peaceful." My parents had an ancestral "altar" with two carvings of Kirin on it. I always thought they looked pretty rad. We also thought an animal goes well with the stone and the tree.

Kirin is just an impressive kid. If you give him a list of things to do vocally, he can finish the task without forgetting. He is always building something, when he was 3, he built a structure made out of blocks and built a little something to set up a rolling pin in there and told me if he was to pour water in the "canal", the pin should roll and cause this device on the lower bottom structure to do something else - cause and effect. I was blown away by his logic and quickly got on the internet to show him what an actual water wheel looks like and what people use them for. He thought that was pretty cool for about 2 minutes.

Kirin knows practically everything about space, and if you think you know something, you'll probably find he'll correct you on a number of points. He also is already a great writer. Kirin is intense. Most of the time I don't remember he is only 6. But sometimes he is cuddly and sweet and that's when I remember. I think growing up with only sisters will help him develop the sensitivity he needs to be a good husband. He speaks Chinese with the thickest American accent of all my kids. It's fun to listen to. I heart this nerdy boy.

Sage 馥潔

I thought for sure she would be a boy, I thought that God and I had an agreement.

She was the only baby I was able to have from pregnancy to delivery and beyond with complete peace, serenity and support. And the only baby I got to hold for as long as my heart's content.

We had wanted to give Sage a water name to complete our Feng-Shui. But between Mississippi, Amazon, Yellow River, Yangzi River and the Nile, we settled on Sage. That was how we ended up with a stone, a tree, an animal and a little bush.

That Sage, I wouldn't trade her for any money in the world. She said to me just today: "Mom, can you peel this clementine for me? I am too lazy." Sage says it like it is. Granted, she is only 3 but I sure hope she doesn't change it. Sage is a singer and knows how to play your heart. She is obsessed with hair. Before going to bed, she has to grab a bunch of my hair and put the tip of it in her ear for soothing purposes... Go figure.

A few weeks ago when we were having our cuddling time, I kissed her all over and said: "Sage, I don't want to share you." To this she said: "Is it because I am not a toy?"

As I am writing this, I come to realize how much of me are in my kids. I've always thought they are so much like Andrew. I hope they are not too much like me though, I hope they are able to perfect my weaknesses and make them into strengths for their benefit.

Andrew

2009-11-20T00:22:00.002-05:00

Tomorrow is my Andrew's birthday. We've been married for 13 years. Sometimes I watch him study or being with the kids and I think to myself: "How did I get so lucky?"

I can't talk about my husband without saying something about his mother,too. Andrew's mom is the most Christ-like woman I've ever met. Her countenance radiates love and she spends her days in the service of others. Everything I love about Andrew is a reflection of this great woman. Happy Birthday to you too, mom, we love you!!

God knew what he was doing when he sent Andrew's best friend to the Vancouver, Canada Mission some 15 years ago. It was no coincidence that after a few failed attempts by other missionaries, Andrew's friend was the only one able to convince me to listen to the missionary discussions, subsequently, humbled me enough so I FINALLY really listened...

Andrew is the piece that completes my puzzle. He is my logic. When my frantic thoughts get too much for me, Andrew speaks something like an iceberg, if an iceberg could speak, and that calms me. My parents are baffled by me, their non-conventional, only Chinese by birth daughter. With me marrying Andrew, they had gained a Chinese son in the form of a white boy. Andrew learned to speak Chinese to impress my father. He decided to learn how to write in Chinese soon after, his characters (Chinese writings) are like something that came out of Chinese newsprint. Andrew is adored in Taiwan. He sits down with the locals and eats the street foods like he has been eating them all his life. Here is a little something about my husband.

He is:

Brilliant
Musical
Steady
Noble
Loyal
Peaceful
Faithful
Respectful
God-fearing
Assuring
Patient
Tolerant
Undaunted
Loving
Accepting
Gentle
Soft-spoken
Supportive
Unassuming
Happy
Loves Unconditionally

Here are a few of my favorite things about my husband:
He is not a complainer.

He sees the good in all people.
He takes walks with us on Sundays even when he would rather stay home and read LDS.org
He has a few times opted to not tell me about his upcoming exams or papers so he can spend time with family without me feeling guilty.

I married an absolute STELLAR MAN, honorable and true. My North Star.

--

In-Home Spa

2009-11-08T13:24:00.000-05:00

My husband has a degree in Massage Therapy. A long time ago before we decided to take out loans for this education, he promised to massage me at least once a week. That lasted for a good year...but what a great year it was!

A few days ago, while I was out, my husband was enlightened. When I got home, he announced that he will diligently use his talents to serve us. The goal: To make us happy (or at least makes his wife happier). His offering: A full body massage for each and every member of the family every Saturday night!

Knowing his schedule and everything else about my beloved, "Wow, that'd be nice" was all I said.

Tonight, he set up the massage table (memory foam), a spread of lotions and scented oils and invited all of us for a massage.

Ok, people, YOU HAVE NO IDEA how GOOD Andrew is with massages. I promised him if he follows through with this even just one time, I will write a post about it. Not that he cares or ever reads my blog. But since I am waiting for my turn anyway, I am using this time to write this post.

Isn't he a keeper?

Jill, is that sexy enough for you?

I think it's about high time I brag a little on my blog. You totally have my permission to be jealous.

(OK. Don't be jealous yet. Now 2 and a half hours later, he is still working on the last child... I am still waiting...)

_________

I did finally get my massage, but was too relaxed and sleepy to post this last night. So here it is.

Hopelessly Addicted

2009-10-30T21:29:00.002-04:00

Behold this:

They came by way of FedEx this afternoon, just sitting there by my front door. Waiting.
Imagine me squeal in delight!
All FIVE boxes, 24 bars in a box. Total One Hundred and Twenty bars - All mine!

My Precious

Completely. Magnificently. Undeniably. So deservingly. So selfishly. MINE.
Not even gonna share one, not even a bite.
This is the best thing out of Utah. This is better than Lindor, yeah, imagine that!

This amazing truffle is best consumed at slightly above room temperature, so you can really appreciate its exquisite texture. The first bite is kinda dense, until you get to the center bottom where the soft velvety truffle meets your senses...it's truly a dream...

There are No preservatives, No hydrogenated oil, No trans fat. Right now, the only unnatural ingredient in this little truffle bar is the vanillin(an artificial flavor) but starting next year, they will be using real vanilla. By next year, this will be an all natural truffle bar, how amazing is that!

You Utahans, all is not lost, just drive to the nearest Macey's and your lust will be granted.

Foods Are...

2009-10-25T18:15:00.001-04:00

I miss the little nooks and narrow alley ways back home, where you can always find some street vendor who is cooking up a delightful aroma. In Taiwan, you always hear someone recommending to someone else some small eateries in ambiguous places. Places you have to seriously remove two mountains to find. Back home, as long as you know how to cook, you can set up a shop even under the sea, and you will get people who will be willing to drown themselves just for a tasty bite. I remember a friend once took me going in and out and around and backwards like inside a maze before she finally brought me to this little hole in the wall place that sells freshly made tofu dessert. This place doesn’t even have a wall, just a ma and a pa and a few tables and a big old tarp on top to keep the sun and rain away. It was like going on an “expedition” just for a simple bowl of sweetened tofu. They weren’t the only ones know how to make the desserts either, in fact, such treats are easily found on the streets of Taiwan. But people come far away for them because they were dubbed the best! I tried taking other friends back again, but couldn’t find it afterwards.

When we were living in Monterey, California, we would go to the farmers markets on Tuesdays almost every week. I loved the varieties of tomatoes I saw there and was amazed at how many new ones I seemed to discover each week. But what really motivated me to go rain or shine was this fruit vendor – Goosens. It’s a family operated fruit farm that sells freshly picked peaches and nectarines. I am feeling a sense of loss right now to think it will be a very long time before I could hold those nectarines in my hands again. Since then, I have looked up and down, far and near for a fruit farmer who can produce peaches or nectarines like God intended them to be. The farmers I found all claimed their fruits are above the rest, but so far, none are comparable to Goosens, not even close.

After Monterey, we moved to San Diego and the craving for Goosen’s nectarines got the best of me, one weekend, we packed up and drove 6 hours ONE WAY just for a taste of Goosens’. It was worth the cost of gas, hotel and all the traveling expenses combined. I’d do it again in a heartbeat! Upon hearing that we drove 6 hours just to be there, Steve, the owner, threw in some green grapes as a friendly gesture. I wasn’t too impressed with how the grapes looked; some of them were covered with a few dark specks. But that is not the important part. The part that really mattered was how divine they tasted.

I remember browsing around the farmers market after picking up the nectarines and grapes. Naturally, walking around in place that has abundance of fresh food makes you want to eat something. So with the grapes sitting so conveniently in bag, I reached in, put one in my mouth, upon one gentle light touch of my teeth, the grape bursted open in my mouth, it was... oh, still, I am at a loss for words.
It was absolute perfection - something like a perfectly choreographed dance, a Beethoven’s 5th symphony inside my mouth. The fresh crisp skin combined with the slightly tart yet sweet, tender, plump flesh, never had I known grapes can have such complexity in texture and flavor…

I literally had a stand still moment; I think the world stopped spinning.

From that one little grape, I could taste the California sun, the earth the seedling sprouted from, I could taste the air, the rain…it was love, it was “This is how grapes are supposed to taste like!” “What have I been missing all my life!!”

I had a painful realization right then that I had not lived until that moment. I had experienced perfection from such a small and ordinary fruit and I knew I shall never be content again buying fruits from grocery stores. And I haven’t.

When I moved back to Utah, I wrote to the owner Steve Goosen, just to thank him for such dedication and pride for his work. He actually remembered me. He wrote me a nice letter about how he is getting old and no longer selling in Monterey’s farmers market anymore and how his kids are going off to college. And he sent me some pictures of his sinfully engorged peaches and nectarines. I secretly wish he had FedExed me the real thing instead, but felt better after he promised to “treat me right” if I ever come by his way. I like his all American boys’ heart.

As the weather is turning colder, I think of hot steaming tea, slow cooked ox tails with meat falling off the bones, red cooked fish, deep fried pork chops (unbeatable Chinese style), sweet and pungent duck, sticky rice cooked in bamboo, cumin lamb with mounds of cilantro, roasted lamb legs rubbed in exotic spices, braised lamb shank, basically anything lamb will do. And other dishes that I shall not name to keep your delicate American digestive system intact.

Notice the thin film wrapped around the rice? It's the coating from inside the bamboo and that is how the rice gets its distinct fragrance, it's the most simple and tastiest thing EVER!!

My heart hums with joy at the thought of holding a simple bowl of hot soup noodle on cold winter mornings, my favorite kind of breakfast.

Foods are that men may have joy!

A Fabulous Morning

2009-10-13T09:33:00.034-04:00

I have this pile of laundry in my bedroom on my bedroom floor IN MY BEDROOM for a over a month...yep, did I mention it was IN MY BEDROOM? They WERE clean once upon a time. It got moved from the dryer to my bed then to the floor. Then the pile got sorted and it got smaller and the new clean piles got added on....Of course, none of the stuff on the floor is mine. They belong to my husband who is always so agreeable to help me, and my daughters' "leftover" clothing that they don't seem to want anymore.

I have been waiting patiently for my family to come back and proclaim what is rightfully theirs, like they do with cookies and brownies... I know for sure if they can remember the cookie they had asked me to "save" for them for over a month ago, they can remember the laundry in my bedroom that I've been saving for them to fold. I am a firm believer in "teaching them the correct principle and let them govern themselves".

Well, none of them came back and I've decided to attack the pile of beast this morning and put them back to the drawers where they belong with dust and all. Most importantly, my bedroom floor is CLEAN!!...until I wash some more, which is right after I post this. But right now, right this minute, I just feel so accomplished - my life again has meaning.

Also this morning, I "battled" with Sage and I WON!!! (Big Grin)
Let me say it again, I WON!!!! (Look, my blogging this early in the morning is the sure evidence that the wild Sage has been tamed!!)
This has been a great morning and it's not even 9 o'clock yet!

I had wanted to post a picture of the pile of laundry for you to admire but decided that I don't want you to know what disgusting pigs we were, but now you know anyway.
I will take any advice if you have one as to how to deal with my laundry problem.

More Sage ~S'il vous plaît

2009-10-07T17:15:00.002-04:00

Some of you have inquired about Sage’s noticeable absence from the blog. Here she is as requested. You can tell she is well and very much alive…I think I need to find her a hobby. OR find me a different job!

Daily dialogue of a 3 year old and her mom:

9:00 am: MUMMMM, Can I have some candy please? Some candy please?

9:01am: I want some candy. I want some candy please.

9:03am: Can I have some bubble gum?

9:04am: No, Sage. You’re gonna die eating only candy.

9:04am: I won’t die, I will just eat one.

9:04am: Can I have some bubble gum? Pink! No, No, purple!

9:04am: I want some purple bubble gum….

9:05am: No, Sage. Let’s read some books…

9:05am: (Her eyes lit up) Then I can have some bubble gum?

10:00am: MUMMMM, I want some candy please.

10:01am: MUMMMM, I want some candy please.

10:01am: (Rolling on the floor in agony calling out) candy, candy.

10:01am: (Still on the floor, but arms reaching upward - must be seeing some candy hallucination - and crying out) candy, candy.

10:02am: (Fake sobs) candy, candy.

10:02am: (Being rocked by mom)...

10:03am: (With tears glisten on lashes and saying it very softly) Mommy, can I please have some candy? (And softer) Candy? (Even softer) Candy?

Below is a picture of Happy Sage who got her way

11:00am: Can I please have some peaches?

11:00am: Ok, you can have some peaches. (Much relieved at the change of conversation, mom takes out some fresh peaches from the fridge)

11:01am: No, no, not that peach. I want yellow peaches.(Referring to canned peaches)

11:02am: No, you can’t have those. You can have these.

11:02am: (Enter wailing and foot stomping) I want yellow peaches. I want yellow peaches.

11:03am: Sage, you can only have this kind. You can’t have yellow peaches. Do you still want it?

11:03am: (Sniffling, looking at mom with contempt)...

11:04am: Ok, I guess you don’t want any. (Putting down the peaches)

11:04am: (Silence)

11:05am: (Silence continues with furrowed brows and pouting lips)

11:06am: I want candy. No, No, I want bubble gum! Purple bubble gum!

11:06am: MUMMMM, I want purple bubble gum.

11:07am: (Mom puts herself in timeout.)

Such dialogue goes on All Day Long.

Every Minute!

EVERY!

SINGLE!

Day!

I was busy for a minute one day and forgot to keep my eye on Sage. When I turned around, this is what I found:

Luckily, I think I am out of candy... and then here comes Halloween!!

Winter Hibernation

2009-09-29T21:21:00.001-04:00

Vote YES to Winter Hibernation!!

Animals that hibernate in the winter are lucky indeed. Every year when October rolls around, I feel like going into hibernation all the time. Finally, there is justification to stuff ourselves to death at one of those all you can eat buffet places then go off and sleep irresponsibly for a few months! I don’t know why we don’t designate a time on our calendar to hibernate? I see it as a totally marvelous thing, especially having kids sleep for months…can you imagine that? Let me explain the benefits of having children hibernate over the winter.

First off, it means no more laundry. None! Zip! Gone!

No more cooking!! Clean dishes for months!

No more picking up after! Sparkling house!

No more little whining voices. Sleeping children = quiet and angelic.

No more living in the car, chauffeuring around town. It means lower gas consumption, cleaner air, less green house gas!

No more need to buy expensive, bulky winter clothes. Save money!

No more thick quilts or blankets. More storage!

No more Halloweens! Yeah for me!

I am sure there are more benefits, just can’t think of any right now. But look how much more simplified our lives would be by hibernating for a season.

Maybe instead of discussing the world economy, international security, social progress and human rights at the UN, they could think more creatively and shift their focus to this issue. It might help everybody to be less cranky; perhaps it would finally achieve the world peace that they desperately try to bring about!

Wait! I think we should wake up in time for Christmas!

So hibernating from the 1^st of October to the last day of November should suffice. Or we could always start after the New Year till the end of February…but I like to avoid Halloween if at all possible! Either way, we still have world peace 2 months out of the year!

Actually, maybe we can get more than 2 months out of this: Think, countries just don’t go to war after they wake up from a long sleep. They probably would have to shop and restock on food. Connect with their families and friends. Catch up on... well, no latest news. But even military has to have time to regroup, they can’t just go out and attack someone without first training the soldiers, doing drills, coming out with war strategies, thawing out their warheads (made in China)…etc. That would take up at least another 4 months. Combined with 2 months of hibernation, THAT, people, is world peace 6 months out of the year!!!

Surely you’d vote YES for that!