Sophia had her two year old checkup yesterday.  Let's see, she's 24lbs (skiiiiiiiiiiiiny) and 2 ft 9.5".  She got her chicken pox shot and took the needle like a trooper (I lied.  I had to hold her arms down and Phil had to hold her legs down.  Luckily I brought her favorite "woh woh (dog)" to soothe her.). 

 

The doctor said we should try to feed her more eggs and mac and cheese.  Great, how the hell do we do that?  It's the two things she dislikes- cheese and eggs.  Lately she's on a bread kick.  Maybe that will plump her.  We've tried feeding her meat- burgers, meatballs, flank steak- she doesn't care for it.  Chicken, doesn't care either.  Sometimes she would demand for "cha-siew" (Chinese roast pork).  What an odd child.  She'll eat fish sticks and salmon.  She loves her veggies- carrot and cucumber sticks, cherry tomatoes, peas, edamame (Japanese soy beans pods), string beans, broccoli, corn, etc.  Maybe she'll grow up to be a vegan.

 

He said we can start giving her toothpaste, but the children's kind where it's okay if they swallowed the toothpaste.  She brushes her teeth three times a day (morning, lunch and night) and goes through brushes quite often- she loves to chew the bristles to death.  Now I have to teach her how to spit. 

 

And give her plenty of water with flouride (bottled water doesn't have any- I think except the Dannon brand?).  We've been boiling our water instead of using a filter (ie, Brita), so that's fine.  She loves drinking water like her parents, so that's a plus.

 

She does have a bit of dry patches here and there on her legs and arms.  Doc said it's eczema.  He gave us a prescription to add it along with her lotion.

 

So it seems like she's thriving quite well.  No major problems, thank goodness.  Next time she sees the boogie man (the doctor), will be in six months.  At that time, she'll need to be tested for lead and TB.  Oh joy.

 

It's going to be in the 60's today, so I'm off jogging in the streets!

There were two places advertised to go Easter egg hunting in NYC today- the more well known Central Park or the State Park located in Brooklyn (between the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges).  Of course I opted to go to the one near me- the State Park.  I dragged my girlfriend Karen and her two children (she could have easily gone to Central Park since it's a lot closer to her home) to come with me. By the time we got to the park, twenty minutes after the gates opened, 5000 eggs that were planted, were ALL GONE.  As in NO MORE.  ZILCH.  I was truly disappointed for Sophia.  I noticed people who left the park had a huge bagful of eggs (plastic egg shaped containers filled with candy).  WHY!  Don't these greedy fuckers believe in sharing?  Or having a limit?  Unreal.  And I bet half of them don't even celebrate Easter!  Okay, I don't either, but still.  Hmpf.  In any case, another friend of ours, Monica, met up with us with her fiance and her twins.  Her fiance was kind enough to buy all the kids a pre-made Easter bag of treats since we were shit out of luck at the park. 

 

Anyhows, we got free kites and face painting and lunched at the park.   They also had a live band which Sophia loved- she immediately started dancing in the streets.   It was close to 1p, Sophia's naptime and I was getting tired and had to pee.  I decided to go home instead of hanging out at a cafe (I'm unemployed, I can't afford to  spend frivolously unless it's an alcoholic beverage and that is way acceptable).  Instead of taking the train back home, I figured I'd save myself a train fare and trek/stroll Sophia over the Brooklyn Bridge.   It was a beautiful day and the walk was amazing although I kept looking on both sides of the bridge to make sure no airplanes or helicopters was planning to crash onto us.  I can't help feeling that.  If you were around NYC during 9/11, you just automatically check around for any bad omens.  That's just the way of life nowadays.

 

Being frugal is now part of my way of living, thanks to being unemployed.  I'm still working for the Mrs., but after I pay my nanny, I don't have anything left to play with.  I'm thinking about canceling my gym membership and Netflix, but that is being weighed upon.  Thank goodness I got rid of my smoking habit.  And I don't have a chocolate habit.  I borrow books from the library.  I eat at my parents and in-laws house on the weekends (versus going out to eat).  Every dollar counts now!

 

At least I don't have a late-night eating habit.  I have a problem with Phil eating instant noodles at night.  Like, after 10p.  10p!  Eat a fruit!  A cracker!  Better yet, GO TO SLEEP!  And do you know how unhealthy it is to eat them?  The sodium content is over 2000mg!  Ugh, extremely repulsive.  Maybe next time I should put a funnel in his mouth and pour the entire container of kosher salt while he sleeps.

It has come to my attention that my previous post was a little out of whack.  I apologize.  Generally when I post my blog, I give it a couple of glances to double check my spelling and explanations (I am notoriously known to not back my story up due to going off tangent).  Whoops, I was a bit incoherent yesterday. 

 

My blog was born the day Sophia came home (yes, TWO years ago) from the hospital.  It is solely an online diary I intend to share with Sophia when she gets older (okay, maybe I ought to start omitting some cussings).  Plus I share this blog with friends and family who don't live in NYC or those who do live in NYC, we don't have the time to catch up with each other.  Like a handwritten diary, I don't go back to my previous entries and start crossing them off when I notice a line or two is off-key.  I don't give a flying fuck if it's incorrect.  That's the beauty of a diary.  Plus I never said I'm (not) the greatest rapper in the world (Whoever can guess the band will get a beer.  Hint:  Leicester, we heard this song while we were skiing.  I know Sam is gonna get this.).

 

Whoever thinks "no soy inteligente" (translation, I am not intelligent); tell me in my face so I can tell you to go fuck yourself and I will also send you off with a shit full of diaper slapped on your face.  Voila.

I caught the last end of the first Scrubs- they played Coldplay's "Everything's Not Lost"- a song that reminds me of Elektra days once again.  I remember playing Coldplay's "Parachutes" album over and over and over again.  It literally drove all those who sat near me, absolutely mad.  

 

I forget how funny Scrubs is.  It never fails to make me laugh.  The last time a comedy show did that to me was probably "The Office."  For those of you who live in a cave, "The Office" is a BBC show that was aired on BBC America about two years ago.  Even though I didn't  view it on BBC America, I was able to rent the series on DVD.  I figured I should stock up on some DVDs while resting from my laproscopic surgery (thanks to the most-painful-thing-to-ever- experience-gallstones getting stuck in my shrinking gall bladder).  I don't know what I was thinking when I decided to rent The Office.  The show had me in FUCKING STITCHES!  Extremely funny, witty with a twist of dry humor.  I had to hold a pillow to my chest to prevent my organs from spewing out.   I do hope the US version of The Office fares well.  Besides, Ricky Gervais (Emmy award winner, creator of the UK show and main character) is one of the executive producers and writers for the US version.  That should be an indication that it will be faithful to its original, right? 

I met with Melissa B. this morning at the temp agency.  They had us bring two forms of ID to do a background check.  We also had to take an exam on MS Word, Excel and typing.  I did fairly well considering I haven't touched MS Word or Excel program in over nine months.  I found out I type 76 WPM.  Wow!  I guess typing my blog helps.  The woman I was assigned to, was going over the procedures with me and said to contact her in mid-April when I am done being committed to working with the Mrs.  Crap.  I was hoping to get some work a day here or there when the Mrs. doesn't have me running around town.

 

Afterwards, Mel and I met with Anne (another ex-EEG'er) for a late lunch in Chinatown.  It was certainly good catching up with each other.  Mel always has good stories to tell.  :)

 

Right, so let's see, a recap over the weekend- Saturday we took Sophia to the park.  It's funny how the first thing Sophia notices is a ball.  She loves the big, colorful ones that kids kick around.  She doesn't care about the slides or the playground itself.  Her eyes are automatically glued to the ball. 

 

Sunday, I felt pretty ill- sore throat and body ache.  I thought to myself that I was coming down with the bug, so I took a sinusitus pill and somehow it magically disappeared.  I was better by the evening, but the sore throat is still lingering. 

 

Tomorrow morning I have to go to the Mrs. apartment and start listing what needs to be taken care of whilst she is on holiday again.  I seriously can't wait to get this project over, only because I don't like being idle for a long period of time.  There are days when I don't have to work and it can stretch to over four days.  Ugh, so annoying.

Even though I was one of the three adults who don't eat sushi, I was somewhat jealous of everyone scarfing it down.  It was insane- there was a huge pile of sushi.  And it looked so pretty too.  Plate after plate piled with food.  My bro-in-law, my father and I enjoyed our bulgogi.  Even Sophia was enjoying the food.  Beads of sweat was forming on her nose because she had some spicy pajun (scallion pancake)- she took it like a true Korean.  I gave her a cucumber to cool her off.

 

After dinner, I had ordered a 10" cake for the occasion.  I bought the cake for only $21 in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn.  The cake was made up of yellow sponge with vanilla custard and strawberries, topped with buttercream icing.  The cake was just absolutely heavenly. 

 

I think Sophia had a great time today even though we didn't have a kiddie party for her.  I figure she'll have one when she gets older.  At this age, it won't really matter anyway.  Spending it with the family was enough for her. 

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY!  Mommy loves you~

 

*Special thanks goes to Eemo and Michael- dinner was great!

 

PS- When Sophia woke up this morning, Phil said to her, "Happy Birthday."  Her response was, "Cake?"

My baby girl Sophia is now 2 (officially at 2:54p)! 

 

I bought her a fake birthday cake- it has candles, plates and the cake breaks up into four pieces.  I also bought her books, a place mat, memory card game and two little toys (one is a monkey that turns upside down). 

 

And it's a beautiful, sunny day (still nippy)!

 

Apparently Sophia shares her birthday with my aunt, so we're all going out to dinner with my parents, sisters and bro-in-law, my cousins (the Korean side) and their family, aunts, uncles and my grandfather.   Can't wait- we're having Korean/Japanese food.  MMM.

 

More to post later.  Oh Happy Day~

Some comments and quirks from Sophia:

 

 

 

 

 

Today, Phil and I had a date.  Turned out, we spent the entire afternoon together without killing each other.  Here's what we did:

 

We started the day off at Columbus Circle, walking to our optometrist's office.  Phil needed to get a new pair of running shades (Sophia broke his last pair) and I needed to replenish my contact lenses (and use my insurance plan before it ends this month).  After sitting in the office for over an hour, I was starving- I was in the mood for a Philly cheesesteak at Philly Slim's.  Instead, we came across a Dominican restaurant called El Papasito- comfort food to me.  After stuffing ourselves with a Cuban sammich (it was ehh) and pot roast with yellow rice and beans (mmm), I suggested we walk on Ninth Avenue, which is known to have a myriad of ethnic restaurants.  We walked over to the International Groceries to pick up tzatiki (yogurt, cucumber, garlic dip) and eggplant dip.  They make the best tsaziti.  Ya gotta try it.  (BTW, Robin, we passed by your beloved Westway Diner and thought of you)  I didn't want to go home yet since Sophia was still napping, so I thought let's take a walk over to Chelsea Market.  This market is just absolutely AMAZING.  I haven't been there in years and things haven't changed much.  It's a market that has everything there- flower shop, bread, sweets, wine, meats, seafood, dairy and even kitchen supplies, but each store is privately owned.  It's even home to FoodTV, MLB, Sanctuary Group and Oxygen.  Thank goodness we didn't buy anything though I was quite tempted to buy everything.  At this point, we were figuring out what we should have for dinner.  Phil mentioned we should check out the new Whole Foods store at Union Square.  Before we went in, we had to stop off at Jamba Juice- Phil and I were very parched.  The Mango A-Go-Go totally hit the spot.  We walked in Whole Foods and was extremely overwhelmed!  The first floor was cashier, flowers and prepared food stations in the back.  Downstairs was the market area and upstairs, seating area.  I have to admit that I am extremely excited for the Houston/Bowery Streets Whole Foods to open this year.  It will be a lot closer to shop at.  Anyway, we picked up some ground pork for our nanny to steam along with Chinese eggs (hom dahn yook behng).   We finally ended our excursion and took the train home.  I think I'm going to give my feet a rest for another week!

 

Sophia's birthday is on Friday.  She'll be two.  How does time manage to frickin' fly?  I hug her every minute so she doesn't grow up so fast.  Maybe tomorrow I'll type up of her latest comments.  Her comments are so on the spot...total crackup.

Listening to Björk right now and it so brings me back to the good ol' Elektra days.  The best was going to see her at a sold out show at Radio City Music Hall and watching crazy people dancing in the aisles when they played "Human Behaviour."  And the other time when Jeffy, Marky, Gabby, Robin-y and I were off to my Poconos house for the weekend, I ran into Björk in the hallway.  Leicester, remember the "manwich" story?

 

The day before I gave birth, I was on maternity leave.  No one but Phil knew the exact date or time I was going to the hospital to get sliced (Sophia was a breeched baby- her head was not in the position to have a normal vaginal delivery).  Anyway, I decided to treat myself to not just one, but two movies, a true doubleheader since I knew I would not be visiting our local cinema for awhile.  The two movies I chose to watch were Chicago and The Pianist.  I remember Sophia kicking my belly quite enthusiastically when the music (for both movies) came on. 

 

The point is, it's amazing how music can totally bring back memories.  For example, hearing any (of the band) Chicago's songs (I know, fucking cheesy!) reminds me of the pangs of puppy love I went through lusting after Phil (YES, I was in love with him since JHS).  Instanteously you are transmitted to that time and place.  It's almost like flipping pages of a photo album except you're flipping pages inside your head.  No one can actually see the images but you.

 

Sometimes I think I had the best job in the world although the shitty pay didn't help.

 

For three months, my Costco bills never came.  It never occurred to me that I wasn't getting a bill; hey, I have a busy life.  I should be lucky to remember when I get my period (sorry fellas.  sorta kidding.).  Apparently whoever received my bill, kept returning it to them.  Then this week, it finally reached me but noticed my apartment number was never on the bill.   I opened the bill and saw I was hit with $31 worth of late charges and finance fees.  I called customer service to complain that I was not at fault.  The bills never reached me!  I looked back on the application (I kept a copy of it) to see if my apartment number was on it and indeed it was.   Customer service Brandon said I should have known since the bills come in the same time every month.  I kept telling him that I never received a bill, so how would I remember when they come.  He was not budging.  Nor was I, so I promptly wrote a letter Costco, attaching the amount I owe, but refusing to pay the late charges.  Plus I told them to cancel my credit account with them.  Fuckers.

 

Yesterday my parents took Sophia early, so I had the afternoon off.  I decided to take advantage of it and purged our bookcase once again.  Books that neither Phil nor I wanted to keep, boxes and boxes of junk, all gone.  I even cleared out a shelf for Sophia’s books (this morning she noticed it and commented, “Nice!”) that is now easily accessible for her reach.  Obviously when one starts to clean, they’ll come across a bunch of loose change.  The coin pile was growing, so it got me motivated to go to HSBC bank to put it through the coin machine after I was done cleaning. 

 

When I got to HSBC, there was no sign stating there is a fee for using the machine.  I thought to myself, “Cool, a cheap thrill to mess around with.”  I dropped my coins onto a conveyor belt that sorted the change and after I was done, it printed the amount.  I had accumulated $23.60 worth of loose change!   Then I noticed I was charged with $2.16 fee.  I thought, “Wait up now.  There was no sign on that machine saying I would be charged!”  Now I was pissed.  I brought the ticket up to the teller to collect my money and the teller said my account would be charged with the fee.  At that point, it didn't occur to me to ask why wasn't there a sign stating the charge.  I was too pissed.  If I had known that, I would have gone to Commerce bank- IT’S FREE!  So I sat down and wrote ANOTHER letter to HSBC Corporate.  "Two dollars!  I want my two dollars!!!" (name that movie)

 

Is my local post office stealing or slacking off?  Sometimes I don't get my Time Out issue until Thursday (they're supposed to be delivered on Tuesdays).  Sometimes I don't get my Real Simple monthly magazine.  Just recently my Netflix movies are getting lost in the mail.  Looks like I'm going to have to write a letter to complain about the service from the post office.

There's just something about 60-degree weather in NYC.  A first sign of spring.  Fewer layers.  The warm feeling of the sun kissing your face.  Walking around the city.  Pedicures.  Jogging outdoors.  Having lunch outside.  A real reason to don shades.  And of course, the biggest evil of warm weather- SHOPPING.  Ready?  Set?  GO!

 

I went to work at the Mrs. apartment even though she and the family were away for holiday.  I had to measure furnitures and other items in her apartment for the auction house to view this week.  After I was done with my checklist in the apartment, I schlepped to the Chelsea area to drop off clothes the Mrs. wanted to donate at the Housing Works thrift shop.  I trotted to Union Square to pick up a Zagat's Marketplace book at Barnes and Noble for the Mrs.  While I was there, I picked up a box set of Curious George books for Sophia.  I plan to give it to her for her birthday next week.  I was free to do whatever I want at this point, so I opted to use my credit I had at the Virgin Megastore.  I swear I was at the store for over a half hour and couldn't find anything I really wanted (I can easily spend hours at a record store).  Until I scoured the bottom rack and found Placebo's Once More With Feeling Singles 1996-2004 (good shit!).  My first CD purchase since being unemployed from Elektra/Atlantic.  It really felt weird to buy a CD.  I walked over to Ricky's and picked up two pumice sponge made in Germany (no other pharmacy store sells this brand).  A few doors down, I went into Kiehl's and a bought moisturizer as well as requesting some free samples too.  I walked to Astor Place and bought a six-pack of Beard Papa's cream puffs.  Sooo good.  A ten minute walk to SoHo, I quenched my thirst at Jamba Juice and ordered the Mango-A-Go-Go.  I used my gift certificate Leicester bought for me for Christmas (thanks!).  I finally hopped on the bus to end my shopping spree.  Phew, what a day!

 

PS- I figured out why Sophia keeps crying in the middle of her sleep.  Her second set of molars is coming out.  That equals to being startled out of REM stage two and having a hard time falling back asleep.  Bad enough I have trouble sleeping at nights.  Fan-fucking-tastic.  This is the absolute worse part of motherhood.

Not much to report really.  The Mrs. is on holiday for a week but I have things to handle while she is away.  I haven't officially turned down my offer with U2's management office though I left a message for the person to call me back.  I do believe I will not go interview with them.  I'm still battling a dry cough and a slight cold, along with my new ailment, conjunctivitis (it's clearing up).  Luckily I didn't spread any of my diseases to hubby or to Sophia. 

 

Tonight, after Sophia said her good-byes to Grandpa & Grandma Ng, she was extremely sad.  She looked as though she was about to cry.  She had her bottom lip out and sad droopy eyes.  She thought she was going to stay overnight because Grandma Ng asked if she wanted to sleep there.  Sophia even said goodbye to me!   She really loves spending time with them and my father can't seem to get enough of her (I think my mom secretly does too, but would never admit to it aloud- she plays the tough exterior lady).  Nevertheless, Sophia was carried home, given a quick bath, was read to (Brave Bunny, The Very Busy Spider Book and Goodnight Moon) and tucked in bed- WITHOUT ANY CRYING!  Amazing.  I hope this means neither of us needs to lie down with her in order for her to go to sleep.  I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed.

 

She is still waking up rather early, around 6:45a.  Grrr.  I can't wait 'til Daylight Savings Time rolls around. 

 

Phil and I schlepped out to Dyker Heights, Brooklyn to shop at a fruit/veggie market called "Three Brothers from Brooklyn."  We picked up a pound each of plums, grapes, two different kinds of apples and pears, zucchini, cauliflower, milk, eggs, portobello mushrooms, peanuts, cucumbers- ALL FOR $18!  I love a great bargain, especially when it comes to food.  mmm.

Now how the fuck did I inherit conjunctivitis?!  I'm a wreck.

 

Sophia conveniently woke up at 1:45a last night.  Not sure if it was a nightmare or teething that jolted her, but she demanded that I take her out of the crib.  Nomally I force her back to sleep, but this time around, I let my guards down and complied.  I carried her and rocked her back to sleep and figured she was out for the count.  The minute I got off the rocking chair, she started to bawl again.   It took me 15-20 minutes to get her back to sleep (and some screaming).  I read in a parenting message board (in Sophia's age group) some parents/kids are going through the same and no one seems to know why.  Fantastic. 

 

And to top it off, she had the nerve to wake up at 6:30a. 

 

Welcome to parenthood.

I had an unexpected phone interview from U2's management office.  My friend, David, told me Suzi's (both whom I used to work with) boss' friend was looking for someone (Suzi works for Sanctuary Group- home of Billy Idol and Morrissey! and David is at Atlantic- home of where Elektra got booted- fuckers).  The interview went very well.  Infact, the lady was very much interested in meeting me.  I was getting good vibes.

 

Problem is, I am not committed to working late hours.  She needs someone until 6p and I don't think I can do it. 

 

I CAN'T BELIEVE I'M GOING TO PASS IT UP!

 

Am I doing the right thing? 

I hate it when I have a cold.  I can't smell Sophia.  She smells soooo good and yummy!  I don't miss the poo smell though.