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Saturday, November 27, 2004
Post Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving dinner was great as usual. My parents, sisters, bro-in-law, Sophia, me, my grandparents and their
friend (Phil was out with his family) dug into the turkey, ham and prime rib (I know, we Chinese peeps like a lil' variety),
honey chestnuts with pine nuts, roasted potatoes, corn, peas, string beans, brussel sprouts, rolls, salad and my mom's
famous potato salad. Thanksgiving without my mom's potato salad is just a naked spread. Phil and I drove up to
Harlem the day before to pick up sweet potato pie- it was SOOO worth the drive. My sister Kim made fresh whipped cream
to go along with it. Totally slammin'. Tonight's menu- all the leftovers will be casserole.
Afterward the dinner, Phil and I had a rare evening without Sophia. We left Sophia at my parents house overnight
so we were able to participate in our yearly Thanksgiving bowl-a-thon with our friends. We've been doing this for years
now- I even bowled when I was 5 months preggers (and smoking was still legal indoors). Had a great time even though
I bowled like shit!
Haven't done much these past few days. Phil's under the weather plus it's chilly out there. I though,
am actually scanning at job postings, but not actively doing anything about it. Just seeing what's out there.
I'm also prepared the nanny will not be able to come back into the states, therefore I need to start looking at
daycares for her so Sophia can get comfortable being there before I start a job. I hope she will be okay and not
have separation anxiety.
Right now, Sophia is learning how to jump. When she jumps, she'll shout something incoherent and lifts
her body about half an inch. It's too cute! She also likes reading "The Very Busy Spider." Her favorite
foods are still veggies (particularly peas, chinese veggies, cucumbers and spinach), apples, pears, Goldfish, pretzel rods,
crackers and soup (with rice). She doesn't really care for chicken, pork or meat. She loves the Wiggles (only
when they sing). She likes playing with the drum and if you bang on the drums, she'll tippy toe dance for you.
Too cute!!!
Wednesday, November 24, 2004
(sex) life as a mother
From Daily News, 11/23/04
Parenting magazine surveyed more than 1600 moms about their sex lives, and the results are highlighted in the November
issue. Among the findings:
- 43% of moms describe their sex lives as routine, while 30% say theirs are non-existent.
- When they have an extra hour to themselves at bedtime, most moms said having sex is the last thing on their to-do list.
They're more likely to watch TV, read or surf the Internet.
- Spontaneity is the No.1 thing most moms miss about preparenthood sex, followed by being able to relax more easily
and having a better body image.
- 59% of moms said they'd like to have sex at least a few times a week, but only 37% do. 36% of moms have sex
once every few weeks, 27% have sex once a month or less.
The top three things that put a crimp in moms ' sex lives: feeling exhausted, not having enough time and not being
able to shut off their mental to-do lists.
Hmm.
To be Thankful For
Like Robin (Lesterhead), I am "borrowing" the idea from Christina (The Pink Blog)- cheers!
To be Thankful For:
- Sophia
- Philip
- My parents- thank goodness for grandparents
- My sisters and bro in law- Kim, my gym partner. Judy & Rolly, flirting and playing with Sophia
- Friends- for all various reasons, you should know who you are
- The men and women in the Army (Go Army!), Navy and Marines protecting us
- my health- last year I had two surgeries!
- Internet
- Music- music is my life
- Netflix- I can catch up with all the BBC, Masterpiece Theatres and A&E mini-series I missed!!!
Have a Happy Thanksgiving and be safe.
Sunday, November 21, 2004
my quest
I am determined to make it our last, big vacation in Turks and Caicos. I know I said the same thing this past
summer, but Aruba, Fire Island and the Catskills wasn't enough! And who knows what will come in 2005. Phil will
be promoted, I might have a new job that doesn't allow me to take as many vacations as I did when I was in Elektra (I had
4 weeks of paid vaca, plus last week of December off, so really 5 weeks off) and Sophia might be in daycare. And
besides, when it comes to beaches and somewhere warm, I'm all for it.
Searching a villa for 7 people (my parents, my two sisters and bro in law) isn't easy. Villas are going for
$3800 a week to sky's the limit. First of all, T&C isn't exactly a cheap island (actually, not many are with
the exception of PR and DR). Restaurants are pricey so eating out should be kept to a minimal. A kitchenette is
needed, especially with a fickle toddler. A pool would be nice when one wants to lounge after a day of playing in the
ocean. Cable TV with a VHS or DVD is probably essential since there is zero nightlife there. I found
a travel agent in T&C, so I'm going to email them. Hopefully they can find a place that's affordable for us.
Sophia manages to throw a tantrum only when Phil and I are both home together. She knows she can't get away with
me, so she turns to Phil (the guilty parent since he's not home all day with her) and starts to whine incessantly. At
one point, I got so angry with her I told Phil he needs to take a walk with her before I locked her in a dark room.
Not much to report. Nowadays with the weather constantly changing from great to crappy, it's been putting
me down. There's not much to do and to go, especially when I don't have many friends who have children or who lives
near us. They should build a Gymboree or an indoor kiddie playground (there is one in the West Village and in the Upper
East Side). It's gonna be a looooooooooong winter.
Tuesday, November 16, 2004
Mother
Sometimes, this is how I feel as a full-time mother. An excerpt from "I Don't Know How She Does It"-
"At times, I can almost be moved to tears by the picture of the thrifty responsible homemaker I could and would become.
But the idea of not having an income after all these years makes me so fearful. I need my own money the way I
need my own lungs. And how would I be, left alone with the kids all day? The need of children is never-ending.
You can pour all your love and patience into them, and when is it all right to say when? Never. You can
never say when. And to serve so selflessly, you have to subdue something in yourself. I admire the women
who can do it, but the mere thought makes me sick with panic. I could never admit this to anyone, but I think giving
up work is like becoming a missing person . One of the domestic Disappeared. The post offices of Britain should be full
of Wanted posters for women who lost themselves in their children and were never seen again. So when my two bounce on
the body they sprang from shouting me, a voice within me keeps repeating, ME, me, me."
And to think, SHE IS ONLY 20 MONTHS OLD AND I ONLY HAVE ONE CHILD! AAAACK!
Monday, November 15, 2004
Christmas
I can't believe "Do They Know It's Christmas?" is already 20 years old. It certainly brings back a lot of fond
memories as a teenager in love with Paul Young, Duran Duran, Bananarama, the original Band Aid members. There is a new
version of the song this year- this ought to be interesting. Chris Martin, Dido, The Darkness, Robbie Williams,
Thom Yorke, Damon Albarn, Travis and more laid down the tracks. I am very excited to hear it.
On a sad note, this only means there will be no office holiday party for me to attend. I look forward to it every
year to drink up with my fellow office mates and make a spectacle of meself. I am though, looking forward to receiving
my bonus this year even though I've been laid off. How fucking sweet is that? It will go towards my January
Caribbean vacation fund. If only I can travel to London for a few days...WAH! I've contemplated whether or not
to take Sophia, but I don't really know how she would react to the time difference. And knowing me, I have zero patience.
Better off not doing it alone. Sigh.
Today's my off day, so I better put good use to it. Ta Ra!
Sunday, November 14, 2004
Retrospect
Woke up this morning to hear ODB is dead at 35. Sad. I remember when I first started working for Elektra,
Brian had this HUGE poster of ODB in a mug shot on his door. I swear, after seeing that and Adina Howard (with
her ass sticking out like a true hoochie), I was a little excited and scared about the things I was about to be exposed to
at my new job. I can't remember if I've met him in the office.
On another note- when I was heading to my dentist's office last week- I noticed they closed down the HMV on Fifth Ave.
My first meet and greet was held there- I met Human League (Paul Uterano from Sales took me there). As a huge fan of
theirs (1982, 6th grade graduation class trip to Fire Island, "Don't You Want Me" still rings in my ears), I was
giddy, nervous as heck and extremely thrilled to meet them. They probably thought I was a fucking freak.
Ever since I had Sophia, I've been very sensitive with noises around me. My upstairs neighbor is a Chinese elder
woman who has a Caucasian middle aged boyfriend who constantly SCREAMS at her at all hours (mostly before 12:30am).
I've reported this to security and management several times and thankfully the screaming has ceased, but it seems now they
have a dog that needs serious nail clipping. It's driving me mad everytime I hear them come back from their midnight
walks (I generally fall asleep from 11-11:45p). Also, my surrounding neighbors has a tendency to SLAM their front doors.
I don't understand it. Why are they slamming it? And don't they have any consideration for the people who might
be sleeping? Luckily Sophia is a heavy sleeper at night (when she's out, she's out) so that doesn't phase her.
For me, I am constantly jolted out of my sleep which makes me a hellish mother in the AM. For those of you who sleep
through the night, *sigh* man, do I envy you.
Thursday, November 11, 2004
love, life, liberty
Went to the dentist today to fit in my cap on my chipped tooth. Afterwards, I had to visit my girlfriend (who
had something for me) and I then proceeded to my old job to visit some friends. The vibe I was getting there was they
want out. I don't blame them. They seemed unhappy. I don't miss that part of the world (underpaid,
overworked). What I do miss is the adult interaction, the chats and probably the challenge a job brings (though
I don't think my friends are getting it there). I am looking forward to starting a new job, but the timing is not right
for me. I'm waiting until a)the nanny returns (that's IF she can get back into the states), b)to wait until Phil is
promoted to his new job in Jan/Feb (aye aye capt'n) so we know what kind of schedule he will be on. If the nanny doesn't
come back, we'll have to decide if it's worth for me to go back to the workforce and send Sophia to daycare (if she allows
us). I can't imagine being a full-time mother until Sophia goes to school. I don't think I'm being selfish,
but in order for the family to be happy, I need to go back to work. I just hope everything will work out in the
end.
PS- Is it alright to have a crush on Ioan Gruffudd?
Monday, November 8, 2004
Rocky theme on slow speed
Phil finished the marathon in 5 hours and 50 minutes. Congrats! He says it was his worst race ever.
The weather was perfect for spectators, but for some runners, they were probably not good. One can overheat, cramp up
and even dehydrate in the 69 degree weather. I was tracking his run on the marathon site and he seemed like he was doing
very well in the first 10k but burnt out by the time he hit halfway (around the 59th Street bridge). Plus hitting
2nd Avenue is not easy- it's uphill all the way until the Bronx!!! And he's trying to convince me to run next year. Nuh
uh.
I couldn't cheer him on because I had a family function to go to in Westchester. I saw my aunts, uncles, cousin's,
cousin's children and hubbies. Sophia had a great time playing with the kids even though they are older than her.
They were the best babysitters- I didn't have to worry about her!
PS- Robin, Like Sam, I want details!
Friday, November 5, 2004
Our schedule
Not much to report for the past couple of days. Being stuck at home and talking to Elmo and dancing to the
Wiggles can certainly take a toll on you. This is my schedule:
- 6:30a- Phil leaves for work.
- 6:45-7a- Sophia crying for me. (remember, she's still on Daylight Savings Time) I ignore her OR pat her back
to sleep.
- 7:15-7:30a- She cries for me again so I decide to move. Change her diaper, wash her face and have her brush her
teeth.
- 7:30a-TV time. The Wiggles. Four Ozzies (Aussies) men singing catchy songs and wiggling their bums.
Probably my favorite show (and hers as well).
- 8a- Higgly Town Hero. A cartoon with four silly little kids with a "hero" theme (the theme song is sung by They
Might Be Giants). The little girl drives me up the wall- she's always repeating, "ooh ooh ooh, I know, I know" on the
show. But I like it when they say, "aww pickles." Kinda like saying, "aww fuuuck."
- 8:30a- JoJo Circus. A clay-mation circus theme. Sophia loves the theme song and will sing the part when they
say, "JoJo" and lifts her arm up in the air.
- 9a- The Wiggles (again). Good exercise to dance about in the house.
- 9:30a- Second half of Sesame Street. Grover, Count Dracula and of course, her beloved Elmo (Sophia calls Elmo "la
lala la"- that's Elmo's theme song).
- 10a- Big Comfy Couch. A Canadian show about a girl and her puppet doll. We watch a bit of it and
I'll cut it off so we can shower (she has no choice but to shower with me).
- 11a- Boobah. Five silly, plump, colorful, weird creatures dancing, bumping and grinding into each other.
- 11:30a- Teletubbies. She LOVES the "baby" sun. Another four weird, colorful, incomprehensible characters
that I cannot understand when they speak except for the "UH OHH." Fucking annoying arses.
That has been our entire morning schedule. Bear in mind that she does NOT watch the entire shows. When
there is a lot of talking, she tends to walk (nowadays, trot) away from the telly and play with her toys. She doesn't
care for all the babbling. She prefers listening to the music (Miss Twinkle Toes is in her dancing stage).
Usually from 11-noon I feed her lunch and take her out for a quick spin to run errands or to the park. Around 1p
she takes her nap for two hours. Phil's home around 4p and we'll go out for a quick stroll, depending on the weather.
She's in bed around 8:30-9p and I get to read or watch tv (or clean up her mess) and just plain ol' relax.
Man, this life is just way too repititious for me. I miss office work.
Wednesday, November 3, 2004
Comments from the peanut gallery
Quotes from Phil:
"Like a junkie, I woke up 1a, 2a, 4a, 6a to check and see who was our president."
"This election was just as big as the time I had to vote David Dinkins out of office. Thank God for Rudy Giuliani."
"My question is, Who will be paying for this war?"
Running up the hill without Kate Bush
Phil is running the NYC marathon this Sunday, the whole 26.2 miles. He's trying to convince me to run next year's
since I might qualify for the marathon- to qualify, one needs to run a total of 9 races through the NY Road Runner's club.
I told him he's crazy. I don't think I can run a half marathon, let alone a full marathon. I might go into
Brooklyn to cheer him on, but I'm not sure how to get to Bedford Ave (in Billyburg) or to Greenpoint. Those seems
to be the crucial spots for runners since their adrenaline starts to wear off. I won't be able to see him at the finish
line because I'm going to Westchester with my parents and Sophia to visit my cousin and her family- it's a birthday party
slash housewarming party. Phil probably won't be done with the run until 4:30/5p anyway, and he'll need the peace
and quiet when he gets home.
Alright, heading into the bedroom to watch a bit of Horatio Hornblower (sounds a bit porn'ish, eh?). Ioan Gruffold
is H-O-T.
Tuesday, November 2, 2004
Vote for Sophia's future
This morning, at 10a, Phil, Sophia and I went to vote. It was pathetic! Hardly anyone was there. Maybe
because everyone was working. Nah. I think it's because the Chinese community just don't vote. Ugh.
We drove by Bway and Broome Streets and we saw a line of people that snaked around the block, waiting to go vote.
Figures. Who did I vote for? Certainly not the guy you'd think. But, I don't like to talk politics (or religion),
so I'll just leave it as that.
After voting, we drove to Elizabeth, NJ to shop at the outlet/mall. Nice outlet/mall and not crowded (maybe because
it was a weekday). Didn't buy much, just a few articles of clothing for Sophia. Then we drove to Ikea to have
lunch and bought a stepstool and storage boxes.
Tonight is my yoga instructor's last day. What am I going to do? For almost 3.5 years, I've gone only to
his class and no other. Now that he's quitting, there's almost no point in going to the gym. I am thinking about
quitting the NYSC at the end of the year since I'm almost paying $90 per month. Total rip off. Maybe I'll go looking
for a new gym in the area.
Sophia went to bed last night at 8:35p and slept through the night, but she's still on Daylight Savings time- she woke
up at 6:15a. UGH. I managed to put her back to bed and she woke up around 7ish.
Well, gonna rest up until it's time for yoga and then watch the news on tonight's outcome.
Monday, November 1, 2004
Back, but at a new site
I'm back in cyberspace after weeks of shutdown at my old site. The old link was hosted by The New
School (yes, that is a real school located in Union Square). Seems like they realized I haven't registered any
classes in over three years so took my account away. I FINALLY caved in and registered Verizon's DSL. It's
perfect because it will eliminate our second phone line. I had RCN's dialup which sucked eggs- it kept stalling and
it was super duper slow, especially when I'm uploading photos from my camera. Oh right, and I bought a new digicam,
the Canon PowerShot A75 (the old one broke two months ago) at Target's for $199, plus $20 gift certificate from Target's.
What a steal!
Still nanny-less and gaining weight AGAIN (no time for the gym). Sophia is growing everyday. She knows
how to say, "Daaaamn Phil." She loves repeating after you. She's got her flu shot. And she loves to dance
at weddings. Phil took her to a wedding last week and she danced most of the time. Cute, eh?
For Halloween, Sophia was a bumble bee, but only by default. I wasn't about to take her trick-a-treating so I didn't
really bring a costume out (we were at my parents house for dinner). But last minute, our sister in law brought over a
costume for her. Truthfully, I never got into Halloween, even as a kid. I know, and all the candies and money! I
feel bad for shaking people down for treats, especially those I don't know. Infact, I don't remember wearing costumes
whilst growing up! It doesn't bother me at all.
Alright, it's such a beautiful day today- despite the fact that Sophia woke up at 6:30, she's still on Daylight Savings
Time- OY. Have a nice day everyone!
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