photo time:

July 2006 photos--almost 100 of them. Sheesh. Guess that's what happens when family members visit. :)

child's play:

Naomi's starting to run a slight fever. The Infant Robitussin DM the doctor recommended seems to be helping with her phlegm, though. So not a lot of time to write, so here's a video of her doing a chicken dance with (an apparently thirsty) Elmo (gift from Francesca--thanks). Too bad I didn't catch it when she had pushed the button and started dancing. Sorry it's so dark.



And an older one of her getting up and down a slide on her own:



She also started a new game of putting on her hat and pulling it down over her eyes. This is only allowed with supervision, of course. Where does she come up with this stuff?

march of the penguins:

This documentary was very well made. Very touching, but kind of sad at certain parts. I guess that's life (and death) for all of creation. It's pretty amazing to see how these penguins are programmed. Now I'm looking forward to Happy Feet.

request for prayer requests:

Let me know how I can pray for you. I do believe God hears and answers the prayers of his children (in accordance with His infinite wisdom, not our short-sighted desires). Likewise, for those that do, please pray for a couple things:

This Saturday is D-Day (as in Dad-day). My dad and brother are coming to take my mom home. Things, some bad things, involving my dad are a complete mess. I really didn't want my mom to return to a sinking ship... Please pray that my dad will turn from what he's been doing, for my mom's safety, for my brother to be able to finally graduate next spring from college, and for their salvation.

Also, Naomi has had a nagging cough, with phlegm, but no other symptoms for the past several days. No fever. It was happening around 5am before, but this morning it started at 1am. Please pray for her health. Motherly instinct tells me it doesn't warrant a hospital visit yet.

misc:

Via 6: Lost Season 3 Scoops--The show might redeem itself. I would've kept watching anyway, but this is even better. The interviewer sounds Lost-savvy, but Eko is misspelled. And with the weather, I'm trying not to picture sweaty people on a tropical island by some fire.

Via endo: Article about Mako, the Asian pioneer-actor who recently passed away.

Via Manny: J.J. Abrams on Icons. Interesting background info on Lost.

Reading: I'm such a slow reader, but I chug away, one page at a time. Still reading through Helper by Design, and next on the reading list is Sacred Marriage (thanks to Jaimi's enthusiasm). I am reading through Paul's epistles/letters in the bible. Studying a lot of medical terminology for the transcription job. Of course, blogs and news. Wow, not much fiction in my reading in the last decade other than children's books...

Not pictured: Of the almost 100 photos i took this month, a couple things will be left out. On Friday, Manny took Naomi to work. Nine people fell in love with her, and she wore all nine of them out. Yesterday, Manny's aunt, uncle, and cousin came over and I couldn't register what they were saying with the heat (no a/c). While they were there, we learned that Manny's grandfather had an accident and possibly a stroke. Our prayers are with him. It's a wonder how Manny and my families are similar.

s-dan-fuh:

Just a few photos. Will post the entire album at the end of the month. Wow...getting hotter...


At the Stanford Bookstore, where Mama buys her $10 wallet every few years.


Startled by the water at the Stanford fountain. Naomi could not get enough.


Stanford Museum (Cantor Center).


Naomi was actually very quiet and didn't try to wrestle out of her stroller (!), looking at the various works of art.


She did not like this guy--looks pretty real...and scary.

10 Questions for 2006:

Saw this via jenni at the start of the year, but now it's July and I'm getting around to posting about it:

1. What's one thing you could do this year to increase your enjoyment of God?
Pray before I jump out of bed each morning.

2. What's the most humanly impossible thing you will ask God to do this year?
Save my parents.

3. What's the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your family life this year?
Continue communicating, studying, and praying with Manny so that we are united spiritually in our parenting.

4. In which spiritual discipline do you most want to make progress this year, and what will you do about it?
Wow, just one? I'm weak about prayer. I'll pray more.

5. What is the single biggest time-waster in your life, and what will you do about it this year?
Thinking about situations out of my control that stress me out. I am learning to do what I can on my end, and then let it go.

6. What is the most helpful new way you could strengthen your church?
Ask how I can help and serve, rather than waiting for solicitation.

7. For whose salvation will you pray most fervently this year?
My brother's. Same answer every year for 12 years.

8. What's the most important way you will, by God's grace, try to make this year different from last year?
Stop worrying so much about being a certain type of mother!

9. What one thing could you do to improve your prayer life this year?
Replace my time-wasting stressful thoughts with prayer.

10. What single thing that you plan to do this year will matter most in ten years? In eternity?
Begin talking to Naomi about God.

rize/annapolis/flightplan:

Some recent movies. Yes, we signed up for Netflix. Since the last movie we saw in the theater was Star Wars, I guess this is one way we could enjoy some entertainment at home while waiting for Naomi to settle down, and talk to each other throughout the movie. Not that I have to justify it to anyone, but just saying I love watching movies with Manny.

Annapolis--Pretty entertaining, somewhat forgettable with no real surprises, except that the amateur boxing champ and star of the naval academy was Asian! (Roger Fan) Probably thanks to Justin Lin being the director...but where did those cool air maneuvers from the preview go?

Flightplan--No big surprises here either (one of those movies that was pretty much summed up in the trailer), but Jodie Foster is always likeable as a semi-action intellectual type.

Rize--Decent documentary on the evolution of clowning and krumping. Now this one got me thinking. First to the years when we lived at the Compton/Long Beach border, the years I went to schools in gang-infested areas and feared that stray bullet...And then it wasn't about me. It was just thinking about how dance gave these kids hope and a sense of belonging outside of the gang world. And some were then led to Christ. I don't know if I recommend it to others, but I got a lot out of it.

kiss:

Motioning for kisses from Grandma. Exceeded the free post limit on DropShots, so now using Photobucket. Yes, that Windex probably should not be there.

car wash:

I'm such a little helper!

zzzz:

I wore Grandma (and myself) out!

g@@g1e:

Article on Dennis Hwang, the Google logo artist (wow, there's only one!). I didn't even know about Persian New Year till he came along. :) And here is a page of some of those Google logos we've come to enjoy.

naomi, 15 months old:

Finally has enough hair for the samurai caricature look. Likes tofu, too.

Naomi seems to have a discerning ear for music. She twirls, twists, and alternately swings her arms to standard kiddie music, but then does a serious bounce when it's more of a hip-hop beat. Maybe she'll be like the toddler in that last post. One can dream...

She says, "Uh-oh" with meaning, but it's only when it concerns her, like dropping something she wants or when there's "snow" on the TV. When she's made a mess of someone else's things, there's no "uh-oh," that's for sure. On the flip side, she's become quite the "little helper." Packing, cleaning, and rearranging is hard work!

However, she does know when she's being reprimanded (meaning I say something like, "No biting Grandma") or disciplined. She lowers her head and squints a little, sometimes turning away from me and just standing there with her head down. Yes, I'm sad about the situation, but her response is so cute!

My mom says no one would believe it unless they saw it--she is seriously like a two-year-old, without the communication skills. My mom used to run a daycare, but even she said she can't handle Naomi. Even though her original intent was to move in and convince me to return to work, she now says that a babysitter/nanny would probably throw Naomi out the window. Of course, there have been great times as well, like when she gives her grandma hugs and kisses. *heart melting*

Naomi's eating like a pro, still not a great sleeper, and still being weaned from nursing. She periodically appears to get night terrors, which I thought weren't supposed to happen until she was 2. The other night, she screamed (painfully, like when she was colicky) for 15-20 minutes around midnight, and I could not get her to wake up. I finally splashed her with cold water to snap her out of it and she was fine and fell back asleep on her own for the rest of the night.

There's lots more, but time does not allow (maybe a good thing for you), so I'll be posting more fun photos soon...

the ultimate bboy:

santa cruz beach boardwalk:

Saturday was cousin Jessica's graduation and cousin David's first birthday party, but we couldn't make it down with my mom visiting. So, we went to the beach instead! Below are some photos from the trip. Naomi loved the beach. She probably thought, "Wow, what's this giant sandbox?....Wait, there's a giant pool, too! And it chases after me!" The weather was perfect, corn dogs were gi-normous, and we all had a great time.

Video of N running from the waves:

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At the boardwalk entrance with matching shirts (which I used to think was corny, till I became a mom).


With Grandma on the wharf, with the boardwalk behind us.


Being at the beach is so much fun!


Until she fell face first into the water and sand.

eight below, more on infernal :

Our latest rental was Eight Below. Pretty good, almost made me cry, but took about 36 minutes to really get started. Huskies (and Shiba Inus) are my favorite dogs, and these were beauties.

I should rent Nankyoku Monogatari, which inspired this film. But I'll have to prepare myself for all the dog deaths... I like films based on true stories. Actually, I often like the stories more than the films.

A follow-up re: Infernal Affairs (Wu Jian Dao/Mo Gan Do Edit: I fixed that link)--why is there a hot woman on the cover? That didn't have anything to do with the movie. The Departed really looks to be a major production, with the cast, director, and even PlanB's involvement. I think they should try a different title, though. Maybe just stick with something like Internal Affairs. The Departed sounds almost like a supernatural or mystery film to me. Thanks, 6, for the 411!

hakone gardens:

Took my mom on Tuesday. Very beautiful and serene, except for the loud Chinese woman (my mom, not me this time, haha) and her wailing granddaughter. Naomi was not too happy in the stroller, as usual, but was very excited about the ducks, koi, and turtles. I don't recommend going with a stroller. Not everything is wheelchair(stroller)-accessible, so we were lifting toddler and stroller up some steep steps! Wow, my mom is strong! I need to work out more!


Naomi trying to run into the koi pond.


On the bridge. I love Japanese garden bridges.


Bamboo garden. Let me play with the little rocks!


Naomi fascinated by the rocks. Her cute outfit was a gift, but I don't remember from whom! Sorry!


Westing her wittle head.

thank you:

A beautiful handmade hairclip holder (to find matching pairs as well) crafted by supermom Peg. THANK YOU, PEG!

more photos:

From last weekend:


Lunch at Crazy Buffet.


Before leaving for the airport. Yes, a large concentration of estrogen in that side of the family. 3rd aunt took the photo.


Naomi miserable after they left.


Moping around (or recovering) the next day. Not her usual happy self.

infernal affairs:

We just rented Infernal Affairs. It's going on my list of favorite Chinese films. I recommend it.

4th of july bbq:

Kind of old news, but...Last week, we went to Craig & Sonja's for their July 4th BBQ. I'd heard about their backyard, but seeing it for ourselves--wow. It was Naomi's dream backyard, complete with a pool, cottage, giant slide, giant sandbox, grass play area, concrete area for riding, gazeebo, BBQ area, and playground toys. Naomi didn't get to go swimming, but she had plenty of fun and good food otherwise.

At the picnic, I found out a couple families decided to start attending a different church. I'm pretty sad about it; I really enjoyed their company and always learned something from speaking with the two moms. One of them was a friend of mine from college. I just liked that I "clicked" with them. I guess I should make the effort to click with more people.


Our family July 4 photo (Naomi's Old Navy flag shirt was stuck in transit, so we went with a strawberry tee).


Naomi too small to get the see-saw going with 2-year-old Dorothy. We helped.


Super backyard, something Naomi doesn't get to see too often in this area.

prayers for a family:

A relative of our friends from church, and a member of the Tongan royal family, passed away in a car accident recently. Please keep the family and country in your prayers. Email from the family:

Princess Kaimana is a very close relative of I. and is like a sister to him. She loves our kids very much and we will greatly miss her. Praise God for His grace for the Prince and Princess were saved.

Pray for safety and comfort as Royal families and our families are making their way here to San Francisco to accompany the bodies back to Tonga. Pray also for our own family, that we be comforted and be wise with our decisions due to the many things we will be involve with.

more wknd photos:

It's kind of funny how so many family members like to say Naomi inherited some trait from them. At this point, she seems to be "just like" everyone, except me! Somehow only Manny and I seem to see her resemblance to me. That's okay--a couple more temper tantrums and people will see it...


At Hometown Buffet. 10 Chinese people could not calm Naomi down once she saw another child's birthday balloon. My aunt went to the manager to get her one. Nah, she's not spoiled...that much.


First time eating and playing at McDonalds. The food was nasty and devoid of nutrition as always, but there's that nostalgia...


The nice lady gave her a balloon at Learning Express. She's ready to fill that cart! Of course, we didn't buy anything. Stores have become more for looking and playing than shopping. And walking backwards is her new "thing."

sytycd:

(so you think you can dance): caught it just in time to see pandora's audition! she's pretty well-known in the funk styles world -- check out some youtubes here. i'm still reminiscing about onion's (michael kim's) audition. and missed tempo's. lady shiva (ashlee) is still in it. i don't know them personally, but a couple of friends do. i've said it before and i'll say it again: poppin is way harder than it looks.

photo time:

almost forgot, photos from June.

more wknd photos:

From Sunday's picnic. More fotos de familia next time.


Naomi with Dorothy at the picnic after church.


I love the swing!


Down the slide!

mama drama:

No need for pity here, but sometimes I want to ask my parents, why don't you want to love me? It's worse than people think, until they've experienced our family dynamics for themselves. And I'm so sorry to those whom I've put through that. The atrocities that people could never imagine or even believe if I revealed them...but I guess that's all water under the bridge. God provided a way out and then saved me from myself. And I'm still alive. I'm ridiculously serious about that.

However, I struggle a lot with the dailies. I love my parents; I want to honor and forgive them. Sometimes I have to go straight to prayer for that. I don't want to give details about what my mom did, but it took everything out of me to not cry out, "How could you?!" as I called her on it. Then she did it again. My hopes shattered in one fell swoop. And what could I do, but forgive her, and trust in God for the best end result? Same goes for my father's recent acts. Their love for deception is incredible, even by the lowest standards--my parents so need Truth in their lives. Only out of love do I say that. It's so different now, when what they do also affects my husband and my daughter. For those that do, please pray for them, for all of us.

And, Winnie, I'm praying for you...

wedding banquet:

We made it all the way through our first wedding reception since Naomi's birth. Naomi must be half-Chinese--she ate (and played) for three hours straight. The games were hilarious, the decorations were very cute, and the food was fantastic (King Crab Restaurant in Milpitas).

Here's a video of Naomi parading around:

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Naomi flirting with Nathan (Dave & Miae's son, and her rival for being the biggest troublemaker at weddings).


Learning to roll around like Nathan.


Us with Norman and Mei-Ling, the bride and groom.