2013.
People in America hate the number 13. Rumor has it... hospitals and hotels don't have a "13th floor." My friend's mom is a nurse...and she says hospitals don't have a room that ends in 13. 2013 wasn't a particular bad year... but it certainly wasn't a great year. One would be looking forward to 2014.... cept that in Chinese, "14" is just as bad as lucky number "13." Without further ado... the annual top 10 of 2013. But since '13 was so blah, I can only think of 8 things. Hehehe... 8.... maybe that'll counteract the bad luck?
8) Pope Francis - I've said it before and I'll say it again... Once a Catholic, always a Catholic. Even blogged about this one here and here. Let's just prayerfully hope that he does bring the millions of Catholics closer to God.
7)Hawaii - Despite all my complaining... this was actually an amazing trip. We didn't do Pearl Harbor... we didn't do a luau....I reluctantly went to the Dole Plantation.... but we did swim with sea turtles. We did go snorkling. And we fulfilled one of Joyce's life long dreams.
6) World Series flag raising - Opening Day - Can never take these days for granted cuz it could very well be the last time it happens in my lifetime. I wept tears of joy as the orange banner was raised... and standing next to me... was my one true love. Heaven was a place on earth...
5)Family Altar - What started on that fateful November date has continued to run strong in the Leung household. And it's not by me or Joyce forcing it... but the kids beg for it. And the best part of Family Altar....is being able to share it with our friends.
4) Cancer and death - It kept coming... one after another... my friends' wives kept being impacted with breast cancer. My other friend's dad was diagnosed with terminal cancer....and the weekend of his niece's wedding... his sister commits suicide. Then there's this. Next time there's any Cancer fundraiser... I'm there!
3) Diaper Free!!!!! - Just today... we returned the box of diapers to Costco that we'll never need again. The stress was unbearable those few days when he first stopped wearing diapers... and the stress continues whenever he goes out and needs to go "poo-poo." But from this day forward... we are done... DONE I TELL YOU!!!!
2) Joyce joins the worship team - OH MY GOD!! (and that's not a pun). Prayers answered.... saints and angels showed up in a timely fashion. On the whim of quitting... things took a change for the better. And the two kids... they love it that mommy is worship God!! Why can't she do this more often????
and last....but certainly not least...
1) Superbowl 47 - I've blogged too much about this. And despite the legend behind this Superbowl with the infamous blackout...the comeback...the Harbaugh Bowl... the last 5 yards.... this will always be the Superbowl that put me into "F*CK YOU" mode for 365 days. No.... I haven't recovered yet. Not even close.....
2014....... ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh........ let's win something this year, please?
Friday, January 03, 2014
A touching moment...
While at the swimming pool at the Embassy Suites... I notice a family of 7 come strolling in. Three of the kids ran and jumped straight into the pool. The other two kids.... obviously required special needs.
The boy... perhaps 6 or 7? Laughed a lot. But that's about all he could do. Laugh and grunt.
The girl... perhaps 4 or 5? Sat in her banana stroller staring straight ahead with her head turning at slight angles.
While the other three "normal" kids were having fun... the dad swam with the boy, keeping close and constant care. The mom sat next to the girl... watching and gazing at her siblings.
Half hour later... I ended up in the hot tub with the mom and her two kids. The mom was talking to another mom and here's what she said....
"She (the girl) was one of two identical twins. They were born at 26 weeks. Her sister didn't make it. But we thank God that we did not come home empty handed. After having four children that requires special needs... I can't believe God gave us identical twins."
These parents truly are special....
The boy... perhaps 6 or 7? Laughed a lot. But that's about all he could do. Laugh and grunt.
The girl... perhaps 4 or 5? Sat in her banana stroller staring straight ahead with her head turning at slight angles.
While the other three "normal" kids were having fun... the dad swam with the boy, keeping close and constant care. The mom sat next to the girl... watching and gazing at her siblings.
Half hour later... I ended up in the hot tub with the mom and her two kids. The mom was talking to another mom and here's what she said....
"She (the girl) was one of two identical twins. They were born at 26 weeks. Her sister didn't make it. But we thank God that we did not come home empty handed. After having four children that requires special needs... I can't believe God gave us identical twins."
These parents truly are special....
Monday, December 30, 2013
One of the greatest complements...
One of the greatest complements any parent can get is a stranger walking up to you at a restaurant and say, "Your children are very well behaved."
It happened tonight... when our neighboring table walked by before she left. Last night... the old lady behind us complement Nn's "spaghetti eating skills." And as we were reminiscing our claim to fame as parents... we remember that last year, in Palm Springs, at a different Italian restaurant, another lady came up and said, "You're kids are amazing! So well behaved."
Well.... I hope Nn and SW continue to exemplify the lady and gentleman I hope they'll become.
It happened tonight... when our neighboring table walked by before she left. Last night... the old lady behind us complement Nn's "spaghetti eating skills." And as we were reminiscing our claim to fame as parents... we remember that last year, in Palm Springs, at a different Italian restaurant, another lady came up and said, "You're kids are amazing! So well behaved."
Well.... I hope Nn and SW continue to exemplify the lady and gentleman I hope they'll become.
Annual Vacation - Home Away from Home
Running out of things to do here.... was going to take them to the Children's Discovery Museum (y'know...like the one in San Jose) only this place costs $8 for admission. HA! Cheap cheap me.... and for $8... I guess they can run around for an hour or so. But lo' and behold... it's closed on Mondays.
So we head off to the same places we usually go back at home.... Costco, Target and Westfield. HA!
First we got gas at Costco. Then had breakfast at McDonald's. (two days of making macaroni and spam in our room was enough!)
Then headed off to Old Faithful - Target. And Joyce.... she was a machine!! Especially when she saw the "50% OFF" signs become "70% OFF." This was her moment to shine. She preys on moments like this every year.
For lunch... Nn screamed to go back to Sam's Sushi.... just like how she screamed to go back to Pizzeria Villagio. This time, there was no wait. But the food took forever to come! SW feel asleep while eating! So instead of heading back to the hotel.... we head to Westfield!
We found a little lounge area where I held SW and Nn slept in the stroller while Joyce went shopping. The kids woke up and then we spent an hour in Barnes and Nobles.
We came all the way to Palm Springs for this???????
Dinner: At at the Italian restaurant at the resort. Yelp gave it 2 stars. We had low expectations...and it met our expectations. I normally never send food back to the kitchen... but the risotto was inedible. Makes me question the whole Westin Resort rating system.
So we head off to the same places we usually go back at home.... Costco, Target and Westfield. HA!
First we got gas at Costco. Then had breakfast at McDonald's. (two days of making macaroni and spam in our room was enough!)
Then headed off to Old Faithful - Target. And Joyce.... she was a machine!! Especially when she saw the "50% OFF" signs become "70% OFF." This was her moment to shine. She preys on moments like this every year.
For lunch... Nn screamed to go back to Sam's Sushi.... just like how she screamed to go back to Pizzeria Villagio. This time, there was no wait. But the food took forever to come! SW feel asleep while eating! So instead of heading back to the hotel.... we head to Westfield!
We found a little lounge area where I held SW and Nn slept in the stroller while Joyce went shopping. The kids woke up and then we spent an hour in Barnes and Nobles.
We came all the way to Palm Springs for this???????
Dinner: At at the Italian restaurant at the resort. Yelp gave it 2 stars. We had low expectations...and it met our expectations. I normally never send food back to the kitchen... but the risotto was inedible. Makes me question the whole Westin Resort rating system.
Sunday, December 29, 2013
Annual Vacation - Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!
The highlight of the trip.... driving all the way down to Palm Spring... so we can take a 10 minute tram ride up the mountain for the kids to play in snow. They've been looking forward to it all winter long. Last night... during "Family Time", Nn even shared she was happy TODAY because she'll get to see snow TOMORROW.
That morning... we left extra early to beat the crowd. Don't want a repeat of last year where we dragged a boatload of stuff... ran up the stairs... only to miss our tram.
Unlike last year... we got there and parked at the closest parking lot. So it was just a short walk to the ticket counter. We got dressed in our snow bibs.... put on all our snow gear.... grabbed the saucer and sled.... and started towards the ticket counter.
And after I buy the tickets.... out of the corner of my eye, I see the sign that said, "Weather at Peak: 27 deg. No Snow." Wait.....what?!?? "NO SNOW!??!?!?!" NO FRIGGIN SNOW!??!?!?!?! How can there be no snow!?!??! I drove all the way down here and now you tell me there's no snow!!?!??!?! (riiiiight... i didn't check the website prior to coming... huda thunk???)
I asked the ticket counter attendant... is there REALLY no snow? I don't care if there isn't enough for sledding... just let my kids grab it and make some snow angels. "No sir... we haven't had a good snow in months."
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.................... No wonder every one at the parking lot was looking at us weird. No wonder we saw people wearing jogging pants and shorts. No wonder the crowd was so small.
Sh*t. Now came the time to break the bad news to the kids. Who was gonna do it? Who was gonna break their little hearts??
"There's no snow today honey. We can't play with our sled."
"Huh?? Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh....." (the sound that jerks every dad's tears.....)
"Sorry ah Nn....."
But amazingly... she recovered quickly. SW isn't even sure what's happening. And Joyce... she's steaming with anger! HA!
Well.... we paid for the tickets already. Might as well suffer through the rest of the trip.... hiking in our SNOW CLOTHES!!!!!
Poor Nn.... she hated every minute of it.
"It's hot."
"I'm tired."
"Are we done walking yet?"
"Why are we still walking?"
"My feet hurts."
"Can you carry me, like SW?"
But Joyce... being the Superwoman that she is... turned a bad situation into a wonderful one. She kept a positive attitude. Kept both of the kids entertained. Even carried SW for half the hike.
She collapsed at 7PM tonight out of sheer exhaustion, right after dinner... HAHAHA... but she really came through when the family needed her to.
I guess we have a Tahoe trip coming up.... just to make up for this.
Dinner: We returned to Pizzeria Villagio!!!! Nn loved it the first night. The kids loved the spaghetti. We didn't mind the food. But this time, food and service wasn't as good. Had this been our first time... we wouldn't have come back. Such it is....
That morning... we left extra early to beat the crowd. Don't want a repeat of last year where we dragged a boatload of stuff... ran up the stairs... only to miss our tram.
Unlike last year... we got there and parked at the closest parking lot. So it was just a short walk to the ticket counter. We got dressed in our snow bibs.... put on all our snow gear.... grabbed the saucer and sled.... and started towards the ticket counter.
And after I buy the tickets.... out of the corner of my eye, I see the sign that said, "Weather at Peak: 27 deg. No Snow." Wait.....what?!?? "NO SNOW!??!?!?!" NO FRIGGIN SNOW!??!?!?!?! How can there be no snow!?!??! I drove all the way down here and now you tell me there's no snow!!?!??!?! (riiiiight... i didn't check the website prior to coming... huda thunk???)
I asked the ticket counter attendant... is there REALLY no snow? I don't care if there isn't enough for sledding... just let my kids grab it and make some snow angels. "No sir... we haven't had a good snow in months."
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.................... No wonder every one at the parking lot was looking at us weird. No wonder we saw people wearing jogging pants and shorts. No wonder the crowd was so small.
Sh*t. Now came the time to break the bad news to the kids. Who was gonna do it? Who was gonna break their little hearts??
"There's no snow today honey. We can't play with our sled."
"Huh?? Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh....." (the sound that jerks every dad's tears.....)
"Sorry ah Nn....."
But amazingly... she recovered quickly. SW isn't even sure what's happening. And Joyce... she's steaming with anger! HA!
Well.... we paid for the tickets already. Might as well suffer through the rest of the trip.... hiking in our SNOW CLOTHES!!!!!
Poor Nn.... she hated every minute of it.
"It's hot."
"I'm tired."
"Are we done walking yet?"
"Why are we still walking?"
"My feet hurts."
"Can you carry me, like SW?"
But Joyce... being the Superwoman that she is... turned a bad situation into a wonderful one. She kept a positive attitude. Kept both of the kids entertained. Even carried SW for half the hike.
She collapsed at 7PM tonight out of sheer exhaustion, right after dinner... HAHAHA... but she really came through when the family needed her to.
I guess we have a Tahoe trip coming up.... just to make up for this.
Dinner: We returned to Pizzeria Villagio!!!! Nn loved it the first night. The kids loved the spaghetti. We didn't mind the food. But this time, food and service wasn't as good. Had this been our first time... we wouldn't have come back. Such it is....
Saturday, December 28, 2013
Annual Vacation - Asians Asians Asians
Joyce checked the weather forecast and decided to head up the Aerial Tram tomorrow... so today, we headed to the outlets to do some more shopping. As if Gilroy wasn't enough.
Started out the morning looking for milk for Nn. What seemed like a trival task turned into an adventure. Walmart didn't have it. Starbucks didn't have it. The local donut shop didn't have it. Not that they didn't have milk...they sold out of Horizon Organic milk. I guess we're not the only overly concerned parents out there.
When we got to the outlets... we ran right into two tour busses unloading Asians after Asians. Japanese... mostly Chinese. They kept flooding the parking lot. I guess if we go back to China for tours... they bring you shopping at the weirdest places: jade factory, tea factory, ging-tai-lam. Here in America.... Outlet malls.
Saw one man holding four heavy Burberry shopping bags. Typically...there's a line at Coach... nothing. Coach isn't even worth their time. It's all about Tory Burch. Not even sure what Tory Burch is.
The only thing we bought there?? A two item combo at Panda Express and a Coney Island Hotdog.... then a Haagen Daas ice cream cuz we had a coupon.
Dinner: Sam's Sushi. Luckily made reservations. People came in... were told the wait will be 30 minutes... and left. I guess non-Bay Area people aren't use to waiting for a table????
Started out the morning looking for milk for Nn. What seemed like a trival task turned into an adventure. Walmart didn't have it. Starbucks didn't have it. The local donut shop didn't have it. Not that they didn't have milk...they sold out of Horizon Organic milk. I guess we're not the only overly concerned parents out there.
When we got to the outlets... we ran right into two tour busses unloading Asians after Asians. Japanese... mostly Chinese. They kept flooding the parking lot. I guess if we go back to China for tours... they bring you shopping at the weirdest places: jade factory, tea factory, ging-tai-lam. Here in America.... Outlet malls.
Saw one man holding four heavy Burberry shopping bags. Typically...there's a line at Coach... nothing. Coach isn't even worth their time. It's all about Tory Burch. Not even sure what Tory Burch is.
The only thing we bought there?? A two item combo at Panda Express and a Coney Island Hotdog.... then a Haagen Daas ice cream cuz we had a coupon.
Dinner: Sam's Sushi. Luckily made reservations. People came in... were told the wait will be 30 minutes... and left. I guess non-Bay Area people aren't use to waiting for a table????
Friday, December 27, 2013
Annual Vacation - Right on Schedule
Nothing makes me happier than being right on schedule. I told Joyce.... if we left at 8:30, we'll make it to Monterey Park by 12 for lunch. If we left at 1, we'll get to Palm Springs by 3pm.... enough time for the kids to nap in the car... and right in time for checking in.
We didn't leave at 830 as I'd hoped. We left at 850... cuz we stopped for gas.
But we made up some time when Siu Wah unexpectedly fell asleep around 1030..... so instead of taking a break in Ventura... we kept going!! Joyce gave Nn a little treat and let her watch some iPad. I, on the other hand, really needed to go pee... but if I stopped, SW would've woken up and the "plan" would be ruined.
After a little 101/405/15/10 traffic...we get to JJ at exactly 12PM. The kids are up... they're in good moods... and there's a nice bathroom there!! BOOM!!!
Lunch lasts an hour... and we depart at excactly 1PM.... HA!! And wouldn't you know it.... 3PM, we roll up to the valet at Westin Hotel Golf and Spa.
Couldn't have planned it any more precise.
Dinner??? Pizzeria Villagio. We got there at 5:59 and ordered just in time for Happy Hour - half off drinks and appetizer. I go for the Chianti.... and Joyce..... she gets the 25 oz Bud!!!!! WHAT?!?!?!? My wife?!?!?! Drinking beer!??!?!! And good ol' Bud!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Life is good.... life is really good.
We didn't leave at 830 as I'd hoped. We left at 850... cuz we stopped for gas.
But we made up some time when Siu Wah unexpectedly fell asleep around 1030..... so instead of taking a break in Ventura... we kept going!! Joyce gave Nn a little treat and let her watch some iPad. I, on the other hand, really needed to go pee... but if I stopped, SW would've woken up and the "plan" would be ruined.
After a little 101/405/15/10 traffic...we get to JJ at exactly 12PM. The kids are up... they're in good moods... and there's a nice bathroom there!! BOOM!!!
Lunch lasts an hour... and we depart at excactly 1PM.... HA!! And wouldn't you know it.... 3PM, we roll up to the valet at Westin Hotel Golf and Spa.
Couldn't have planned it any more precise.
Dinner??? Pizzeria Villagio. We got there at 5:59 and ordered just in time for Happy Hour - half off drinks and appetizer. I go for the Chianti.... and Joyce..... she gets the 25 oz Bud!!!!! WHAT?!?!?!? My wife?!?!?! Drinking beer!??!?!! And good ol' Bud!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Life is good.... life is really good.
Thursday, December 26, 2013
Annual Vacation - Off we go!
And off we go on our annual vacation... this year is back to Palm Springs ala 2012. We had so much fun... but it was a grueling trip. Last year, we bit the bullet and drove straight down Highway 5 with a 3 and 1 year old. Then we hit a winter storm. Then we hit LA traffic. Ugh.... 9 hours later, we get there.
This year... we made our first stop at good ol' Cal Poly.
Things got off to a splendid start. Left San Jose around 9 to hit up some post Christmas shopping at Gilroy and then lunch. That way, the kids can sleep for the next two hours. If things worked out well... we'll be in Paso Robles by the time they woke up.
Everything worked out like a charm... and coming back to SLO... it's like coming home.
Why don't we stay at Embassy Suites everytime? Free Happy Hour ALCOHOLIC DRINKS!!! And free cook to order breakfast. Two separate rooms for me to watch ESPN while the rest of the family sleeps.
I think I can retire here....
This year... we made our first stop at good ol' Cal Poly.
Things got off to a splendid start. Left San Jose around 9 to hit up some post Christmas shopping at Gilroy and then lunch. That way, the kids can sleep for the next two hours. If things worked out well... we'll be in Paso Robles by the time they woke up.
Everything worked out like a charm... and coming back to SLO... it's like coming home.
Why don't we stay at Embassy Suites everytime? Free Happy Hour ALCOHOLIC DRINKS!!! And free cook to order breakfast. Two separate rooms for me to watch ESPN while the rest of the family sleeps.
I think I can retire here....
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Midnight Mass
Christmas Eve... we let the kids open their presents so they get to play with it since we're heading out to the city tomorrow. Lo and behold... one of the toys requires massive assembly. So I stay up and put it together when I turn on NBC and there it was.... Midnight Mass - celebrated by Pope Francis at St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican in Rome.
In all my years as a Catholic... or Christian...I've never watched Pope John Paul II celebrate mass on TV.
Crazy random thoughts...
1) I still could recite 80% of the mass... in both Chinese and English.
2) Pope Francis - Time Man of the Year - WOW! And his approval ratings continue to climb
3) Where the heck are the altar "servers?!" No female within 50 feet of the main altar
4) Pope Francis carried a statue of baby Jesus and walked around the church... .what if he drops the baby?!?
5) Nobody was listening to the readings - times have NOT changed
6) Who the heck was that reading the first reading from Isaiah... "Wonderful Consoler!?" True... Christ consoles... but it's "Counselor!!!!" Bah... no one was listening anyways.
7) Homily was mighty boring and parochial
8) the Basilica is beautiful...massive... a sheer wonder of the modern world
9) I think the pope messed up with the censer...
10) Absolutely loved how Pope Francis will completely remove himself from being the leader of the greatest religious group in the world, smiles and kisses the little children.
And as the mass draws to an end... I'm done putting the darn toy together. Oh...and Santa never came. I guess I've been naughty.
In all my years as a Catholic... or Christian...I've never watched Pope John Paul II celebrate mass on TV.
Crazy random thoughts...
1) I still could recite 80% of the mass... in both Chinese and English.
2) Pope Francis - Time Man of the Year - WOW! And his approval ratings continue to climb
3) Where the heck are the altar "servers?!" No female within 50 feet of the main altar
4) Pope Francis carried a statue of baby Jesus and walked around the church... .what if he drops the baby?!?
5) Nobody was listening to the readings - times have NOT changed
6) Who the heck was that reading the first reading from Isaiah... "Wonderful Consoler!?" True... Christ consoles... but it's "Counselor!!!!" Bah... no one was listening anyways.
7) Homily was mighty boring and parochial
8) the Basilica is beautiful...massive... a sheer wonder of the modern world
9) I think the pope messed up with the censer...
10) Absolutely loved how Pope Francis will completely remove himself from being the leader of the greatest religious group in the world, smiles and kisses the little children.
And as the mass draws to an end... I'm done putting the darn toy together. Oh...and Santa never came. I guess I've been naughty.
Sunday, December 22, 2013
Family Altar - with the Franciscos?!?
Hosted a little Christmas party at my place tonight. Towards the end of the night... when everyone's left except for the Francisco's... I decided to call a "Family Time." Their kids were still a bit hyperactive from the ice cream and cookies and opening of presents. So I figure I can sit everyone down for a few moments and calm down.
Poor Chris and Mel... not really sure what I was gonna do, but they played along. Everyone did their share... they said something happy that happened to them during the day. And then I read from the bible. Picked the most appropriate verse of the night.... the wise men bearing gifts to Jesus.
Quickly turned that into a blessing.... that little Cathleya and Jeremy will always remember the greatest gift of all. And to always, always cherish that gift... and return it by loving others.
Chris definitely received by osmosis.... and he started opening up about taking the kids to Midnight Mass. Mel kinda tucked away respectfully. And the kids....? They are so precious.
Thank you Jesus...for giving us a chance to have Family Time with our friends. May they be inspired by your Spirit to continue praying and blessing one another.
Poor Chris and Mel... not really sure what I was gonna do, but they played along. Everyone did their share... they said something happy that happened to them during the day. And then I read from the bible. Picked the most appropriate verse of the night.... the wise men bearing gifts to Jesus.
Quickly turned that into a blessing.... that little Cathleya and Jeremy will always remember the greatest gift of all. And to always, always cherish that gift... and return it by loving others.
Chris definitely received by osmosis.... and he started opening up about taking the kids to Midnight Mass. Mel kinda tucked away respectfully. And the kids....? They are so precious.
Thank you Jesus...for giving us a chance to have Family Time with our friends. May they be inspired by your Spirit to continue praying and blessing one another.
Saturday, December 21, 2013
HE DID IT!! AND WE'RE DONE!!
It's official!! Siu Wah is diaper free!!
It clicked. It simply clicked. I can't say we didn't force him... cuz there were times we had to give him some "tuff-love." But the little guy is sleeping dry.... in his undies. Phew.....
Still trying to train him to harness his spray. He enjoys the sound of water splashing and the tinkling towards the end. But he's still not too decent with the aim. Naturally, he liked to stick his butt out - which meant the final drops of pee will fall on his pants. So I had to teach him to stick his pelvis out - to ensure every last drop falls in the bowl.
And thus begins the scariest few weeks of them all....the times when he's no longer in diapers... and we have to, first, TRUST him to tell us when he needs to go. And second.... pray for a clean, usable bathroom when he does tell us.
Good job son!! I think you've just made my year....
It clicked. It simply clicked. I can't say we didn't force him... cuz there were times we had to give him some "tuff-love." But the little guy is sleeping dry.... in his undies. Phew.....
Still trying to train him to harness his spray. He enjoys the sound of water splashing and the tinkling towards the end. But he's still not too decent with the aim. Naturally, he liked to stick his butt out - which meant the final drops of pee will fall on his pants. So I had to teach him to stick his pelvis out - to ensure every last drop falls in the bowl.
And thus begins the scariest few weeks of them all....the times when he's no longer in diapers... and we have to, first, TRUST him to tell us when he needs to go. And second.... pray for a clean, usable bathroom when he does tell us.
Good job son!! I think you've just made my year....
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