Perfectly good jeans... or not

Today... Joyce told me to get rid of my jeans.  She's had it.  She can't stand it anymore.

I've had these jeans for years... it's hard to find a pair of jeans that fit you, that don't shrink or get loose wash after wash... and is decent enough for work, church or casual wear.  Well... it turns out.... the jeans in general are in good condition, but the zipper is causing me problems. 

Apparently, the past few months, the zipper has gotten to a point where it creases together and creates a bump -- making it look like... uhm.... I'm having a normal, male physiological reaction.  Hmm....  not to say it hasn't happened in a public place for whatever reason... but according to Joyce... it's happening too often, to a point where someone (don't know who's even looking) will misunderstand the situation. 

Perfectly good jeans... now I have to donate them cuz it creates a bump where it shouldn't.  Great.... now I have to go shopping.  Ugh....

The Secret Garden

When I was in fifth grade.. my teacher Sr. Celine made us buy and read a lot of books.  I hated reading. Just didn't have the attention span or discipline to sit and read.  One of my least favorite... or most hated books... The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett.  300+ pages of boredom.  When it come time to write a book report... I read my friends' book reports and used that to write my own.  

Flash forward 20+ years... Nn is in 2nd grade and she plows through that book.  She makes me sit down and read her the final two chapters so we can "enjoy" the book together.  As a full grown adult with a college degree.... I still find the book hard to read.  The diction extremely advanced.  And the story is stronger than Nyquil.  

How is Nn doing this at such a young age?!?

We're the minority - Part 2

OMG.... volunteered at SW's class today.

Was teaching the boys some new terms like "trustworthy" and "thrifty" and "loyal."  When I got to the word "brave", I asked them "Who is brave?!?"

"Donald Trump!?!"  (WTH!?!)

"How's he brave?" I asked.

"If there's a war, he will lead our country!"  (#smh... that's what are kids are growing up learning?!?)

I sooooo wanted to set them straight.  But alas... it wasn't my classroom.  And in reality, another parent was there.  I didn't want him to tattle on me. =)

We're the minority

Driving through the Central Valley on our way to Yosemite the past week, we see sooooo many Pro-Trump signs.  It's amazing.  I guess in the grand scheme of things... the Bay Area is the minority with the way we see politics.  Even in a "blue" state such as California.
 

"You're not demanding?!"

For the 2nd time in about 3 weeks... some close friends said Joyce and I are overly demanding parents with extremely high expectations. My jaw dropped.... twice.

One of the two people making those claims have their kids in school, art class, gymnastics, swimming, piano... so on and so forth.  The other has their kids in tennis, scouts, violin....

The few things I do make a demand on...
1) act with manners - greet others, especially your parents, elders and teachers
2) speak in Chinese
3) simple table manners

People..... people.... people....

Emergency Room

Made another visit to the Emergency Room tonight...and this time, it was Siu Wah's turn.

We've been trying to figure out and overcome SW's food allergies.  We've always suspected him having nuts and dairy allergies.  Last month, we gave him some almonds and that's become his new favorite snack. Tonight, we introduced him to cashews.  And boy did we pay for that act.....

At 6:30PM he ate his 1 and only 1 cashew.  He immediately complained about a sore throat.  Not knowing if he was acting or not, we gave him some Benadryl.

Two hours later, after dinner and playing... he complained of a tummy ache.  Then when he was walking to the bathroom...he started vomiting, and vomiting, and vomiting some more. 

We then put him in a warm bath...and that ignited him breaking out in hives.  At one point, he rolled his eyes and looked like he was passing out.  Scared the living day lights out of us. 

So I took him to urgent care at 830PM (they close at 9PM).  Within second upon arrival... the receptionist called for "triage." The other receptionist ran to get a nurse.  I guess food allergies can't be dealt with lightly.

Praise God.... SW's reaction doesn't swell up his throat or tongue.  So he was able to breathe (and play with his iPhone).  Within minutes of being admitted to Urgent Care, they immediately sent us to the Emergency Room at the big hospital.

SW ended up being quite med'ed up.  And he got an epi shot on his thigh.... some mom was ready to do at any moment if SW's condition worsened.

Ah wel.... I guess we found out for sure one snack he IS allergic to.