Bahumbug!!

What's happening to me this year?? I guess I am becoming one of the Bahumbugs especially during this year holidays: Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

This year, I have not gotten a Halloween costume from a store. I instead got the same old costume from last year: worn a Surgeon Outfit. Pretty simple, huh? I am not only ones who is not into creative spirit.. you will see the pictures of Dylan on Ryan a day after Halloween.

I guess it started from doing the Halloween pumpkin. Two weeks ago, I had a high spirit for the Halloween when Dylan and Ryan helped me carving the first pumpkin. They even helped me cooking the pumpkin seeds. Since I am no expert in any cooking, I started cooking the pumpkin seeds. It tasted awful when it came out in the oven ! Also, it was NOT a smart move for me to do the pumpkin carving ! It ended up being rotten and created cobwebs around the eyes and mouth. Gross , huh??? So I had to come up really simple. On Halloween morning, I instead purchased Mrs. Witch Potato Head from Vons and punched into my second pumpkin.

Now, after Halloween ends, I will at least have someone to push me for Thanksgiving spirit and bring out the best Thanksgiving dinner. This is our first Thanksgiving dinner in our house. Boy, I feel really, really sorry if I burn the Turkey. Perhaps, I would need to hire a chef so everyone in the family member would have a jolly Thanksgiving.

Christmas was always my favorite holiday, but this year is a different story. Seriously, I have NOT started my Christmas shopping. Knowing that I will end up grumpy hanging around with the crazy or jolly Christmas shoppers!!! It means that my husband will have to be a temporary Mr. Mom in order to watch our high-energy level sons.

This is not the only thing I have procastinated this year. I even have not started making Christmas lists for those who already asked us to send it out. I must make a promise to myself that I will stay up REALLY LATE and kick myself on the computer !!!

Last, I have not started writing Christmas Newsletters. Hopefully, I will have a left-over brain to bring some interesting news on this upcoming Christmas Newsletter.

I usually get everything done in order before Halloween! I guess I need some magic gold to spread it all over me!

Look-Alike Meter

Frankly, I found someone else's blog. I thought it was interesting to share it with you. What do you think? Do you agree with the meter ? Why don't you try it ? It is fun to find out the result.

Back To School

After having three weeks off from work and school, it was an extremely difficult to adjust the routine schedules especially for the Dylan and Ryan.

By the time I woke Dylan up at 6:30 A.M., he kept saying "It is still dark outside. Why do we have to wake up?" I explained it was time to go back to school. He stated it was very confusing for him. Who wouldn't blame him? Next, I had to wake Ryan up who usually does not like to be forced to get out of bed. The good part was that he was already awake before I had a chance to wake him up. He and Dylan accepted to change their regular clothes without any fight with me.

We left at 6:40 A.M.with their breakfast in a car. That's our regular routine on our way to work and school. Isn't that sad ? This will change until the new toll freeway 125 opens. Once it opens, all of us will have a chance to have a real breakfast meal, instead of having a "take-out" breakfast on our way to work and school.

However, our school had canceled the field trips in order to catch our lessons up. It was not easy for the students and teachers who were prepared for the field trips.

Let's hope everything will go smooth for the rest of this week.

Chuck N'Cheese

The boys and I had an extra week off from work and school due to the natural disaster: fires. Instead of being in cabin fever, we met their Grandmother Cathy at Chuck N Cheese for an afternoon.

Both of them brought their tons of extra tokens and tickets with them. Once we arrived there, they ran out like as if they were crazy mice. Dylan was the ones who wanted to explore everything before he decided to get more tickets for the prize. Ryan was on the other hand. He just wanted to hop in whatever it was next to him.

While Dylan was very selective for the game, Ryan watched the older kid driving on a monster truck until it ended. Then he felt confident to drive on his "own." By the time he got up on the top of the seat, he realized his feet would not reach the gas pedals. Grandma Cathy was kind enough to help him out while he was steering the wheels throughout the game.

Ryan decided to try out for another "tough" ride, Tumble Roller coaster. Dylan found ways not to go on rides, but instead of shooting at the frogs, catching the Bubble Bees. He did get some tickets.

Even better, he was one of the luckiest boy at the Chuck N' Cheese because the two teenagers met us at the table and chose to give Dylan at least 200 free tickets. "Wow!" How often do you know teenagers would give their tickets away to the younger' s??? It stunned us!

So, he went back to find something else to get more tickets because he knew he and Ryan had a better chance to get a "Hot Wheels" prize. Unfortunately, we will need to go back and get more tickets enough to buy the Hot Wheels.

Cathy and I had a NICE chatting at a table while the boys had a blast time until their small pizza were ready for them to eat. As soon as pizza arrived, Dylan galloped his 3 small pizzas while I had to find Ryan to come for a late lunch.

As I was looking for Ryan, I found him playing with other kids. Food was not his priority. Who wouldn't blame him for being away from school for 3 weeks ?

While we were at the table, there was an animation, Chuck, the mouse. Dylan was terrified to be near him or even joined the gangs to get the candy prizes. He instead would rather to sit next to us and eat pizza. It didn't bother Ryan this time. He just ate his lunch and returned to his play time until we had to leave.

Going out with Cathy and the boys had a good time at Chuck N' Cheese for an afternoon was a REALLY ENJOYABLE AFTERNOON !

Masks

As many of you have heard that there were terrible fires brushing all over San Diego, the fires seemed to die down in our home area. However, it was encouraged Chula Vista residents to wear a face mask without getting any ash dust through our lungs.


While we were putting our masks on before we left for a nearby grocery store for a little bit instead of being cabin fever, it was not comfortable to wear masks. Who would? But Dylan thought it was SO COOL to wear the mask, except Ryan. I second for Ryan. Good grief, it is only temporary.

Returned Home from Wildfires

We're BACK home from Harris Wildfires.

On our way back home from Vista, there were at least 20 police cars driving swiftly by on the other side of the freeway. At that time, it was not driving toward to Pauma Valley (near Riverside County.) Instead they were heading for Camp Pendleton, the road to Orange County and Los Angeles (Oceanside to San Clemente) from San Diego leaving thousands of drivers not able to go to work, or even get out of San Diego.

While leaving us lots of pondering on the roads, my family and I were pondering what's happening to our home. By the time, we arrived home we could see some of the smokes and clear air in our neighborhood areas. The good part was our home is still standing in one piece. The bad part is that we will have to clean the ashes up after the air quality clears it up.

Another good part of the news that our homes, my parents in law, and few other families I know is in the good shape. It is not only that I felt good about our homes are being safe, I do think of the other families' homes were unfortunately. Let's hope that they will have lots of thousands items can be offered for the families who desperately need the items.

At the end, there are impressive that many volunteer people bring TONS of supplies for the families who need them at the Evacuee Center, especially at Qualcomm Stadium from food to grieving counselors. Not only getting tough news, the prominent people are bringing the smiles for the San Diegans for the first time in four days.

Wildfires in San Diego

Who ever thought the fires in San Diego would repeat the history? It is like an apocalypse ! This gives us a lot of nervous wreck whether we need to evacuate our home or not.

The fire had initialized from Julian, about an hour from our current new home. With the strong wind and warm temperatures, it created the problem overnight. By the time, I woke up at 5 AM to find out whether I have to return to work after having a two week of a Fall Break. In fact, it happened the same thing four years ago. At that time of the hour, I was not able to know whether we have to return to work because it was not on the school closings list. Instead, I ended up volunteering to stay home from work for my family's safety. However, hours later, I got an email from my school superintendent that all district staff are encouraged to stay home today (Monday) and Tuesday.

Who would believe that the Navy Base where my husband works remain open? He also chose to use his Annual Leave for his own safety. Some of his co-workers communicate with him on his pager stating that they have to find their way back home, especially driving it over the Coronado Bridge. Does that sicken you when the person who is charge of the Navy does not think about the employees' safety???

As of right now, the fires are popping all over San Diego, including Otay Lakes no more than 10 miles from our home. Windows and doors are being shut except the air conditioned being turned on. Without air conditioned, we could smell the fires easily. We have packed our important stuff in case we are being evacuated while 250,000 residents already been evacuated! View from Otay Lake

Many of San Diegans are being affected that many homes are being demolished more than the buildings. Even all of the patients from births to elderlies are being evacuated from the senior communities and hospitals as well. So far, we have had two hospitals are being closed due to having fires around the buildings.

All we can do is to pray for our safety my families, other families and animals who are affected by the Wildfires. Let's hope the fires will die down.

Money Can't Buy Love

In our today’s society, both dual parents are required to go to work in order to meet the payment. There are two different families that live in two completely different lifestyles. So, what is wrong with entwined money and love with each other? Is it that the money can't buy the unconditional love?

Calvin came from an upper middle class. He was raised in an environment of having both his parents working long hours, and lived with a nanny. In many ways, he was so accustomed to have his parents giving him everything he wants: toys, clothes, private tutoring throughout his school years. At first, he felt like he was on the top of the world to get everything he wanted while his parents are often concentrating on their career before the family. His parents felt that everything had been covered: by providing everything including college education. By the time, he graduated from high school and took off for college.

Harold also came from an upper middle class. He even had his parents working to meet the payment deadlines. However, his parents always found a way to find time to work with Harold on his homework, going out to camping, doing sports together, and having ongoing communication between the parents and the son. Harold felt so good that he had so many memories with his parents before he left off for college.

At college, Calvin and Harold were roommates. Throughout their first semester, they were supporting each other on homework and spending times together. As months had passed by, they had gotten to know each other’s inner and outer emotions, interests and disinterests.

Harold got his parents to visit him every other month. Every time, his parents visit him, they always go out for an entire day. Sometimes, he would invite his roommate, Calvin for dinner. Calvin and Harold enjoyed chatting over dinner meal. While his parents were not there to see Harold, he always was delighted to share the lengthy email from his parents with his roommate, Calvin. Harold was often bragging about knowing his parents’ interests, and the quality of times they had together throughout his life.

Calvin was another story. He had never gotten any email or having a visitor, especially from his parents due to that they always focus on their priority: career. Instead, they sent him the check to buy whatever he wants. As he got older, he realized what he had been missing: the quality of time with his parents. He asked his parents for their time. All he got the answers, “ I am sorry I have a meeting with my boss, “ “ I have to work on that weekend.” The parents kept saying that they had sent him the money to support him. It ended up leaving Calvin with a decision: either to accept the way his parents are or move on with whatever it makes him happy.

After Calvin had met Harold and his family on several occasions, what do you think of Calvin’s relationship with his roommate Harold and with Calvin’s parents? Has it remained the same or changed?

Pez Collecter

Don't we all have a hobby when we were a child? My six year old son wants to start collecting Pez. He started liking after he had won for an outstanding prizes from his school. So far, he had collected four Pez, but gave the Pumpkin Pez to his younger brother, Ryan. Isn't that sweet?

I went back to learn more about Pez Collector History. Did you know that it all started in 1927 in Austria when Edward Haas came up with this new peppermint candy in order to make an alternative for smoking. The word PEZ comes from the German word for peppermint (pfefferminz) They took the first, middle and last letter and came up with the word PEZ. Short and easy to understand.

So, I wanted to make pin point facts about the PEZ history.

1) In 1973, PEZ started to build a factory in Orange, Ct. It operates 24 hours a day. That's right, 24 hours making PEZ candy. To date PEZ has made about 300 different dispensers. Boy, can you image how much the sugars would consume in your body? Believe it or not, they do make sugar free PEZ ! It also means that there is a Tour of USA PEZ Factory.

2) They even have PEZ Convention ! I was amazed. The next Convention will be held in Los Angeles, just in time for Dylan's 7th birthday. (But as for my mother who lives in South Carolina, there will be a Convention on November 1st -3rd at Springmaid Resort Beach in Myrtle Beach, SC.)

3) Even I found an Internet about a woman who drives with full of PEZ collection on her car! I hope Dylan does not copy cat. once he owns a car.
3. )Another fine idea is making a small Christmas Pez tree for Dylan's room.

After Dylan gathers a lot more of PEZ, we then will start making a shelf in his room. That would be his first collection.

My Best Memories

Don't we all have best memories throughout our life? I sure am fortunately that I have had many wonderful memories, even the mischievous ones. OHHH, that's my favorite part of doing it to others ! Even in my forty's, I still do my mischievous stuff like filming my mother in law, "Limbo Dancing" without her knowing.

Elementary:

1. During my pre-school year, I put all of my classmates' jackets in the piano so the keyboard wouldn't work. The purpose of was hoping the musician teacher recognize that listening to the songs wouldn't help the deaf children, including me.

2. Going to Disneyland free on every Friday with my hearing best friend whose parents worked at Disneyland (from age 9 to 12.) I even stayed up until midnight.

3. My cousins, younger aunt and uncle, and I made a big pool out of a small creek up in San Gabriel Valley Cabin. While we were there, we even

Junior High School:

1. I played as a Nancy Drew to unlock the classroom's door with my bobbin pin. The purpose of was throwing the teacher's a carton of cigarette away. After I got it, I flushed the entire cigarette in a girl's bathroom. My intention didn't stop him from being a chain-smoker!

2. Getting a home-made ice cream from the next door neighbor on every 4th of July!

3. Put all kinds of stuff on my friend's face while she was sleeping (ketchup, toothpaste, mustard) at my slumber party.

4. Having a Garden and Art club at our home with my girl friends while my mom was an instructor.

High School:

1. I took one of my classmates' bras out of her suitcase during my 16th slummer party and froze it. I gave the frozen bra to her at breakfast in a front of my mom's eyes. Boy, wasn't that fun to see my mom freaking it out?

2. Went out to a closed captioned movie on every Fridays at a friend's house where I could gather with all of my friends.

Out of World:

1. Kicked my husband out for an afternoon so I could give him a surprise 40th birthday bash party.

2. Made my secret Santa pal suffered by finding the numbers in order to find each present from her Christmas stocking (9 presents)

3. There will be more to come.

It is your turn to tell me what are your best memories: innocent, sweet or mischievous ones.

Spice It Up

Do you know how I had convinced my dear husband to get our Interior Decoration? It is because I played a win-win situation game with him. First, he bought a very expensive toy, a Viking BBQ. So, then I talked him out on hiring the painters for our living and kitchen room in order to look nice in time for Thanksgiving and Christmas. It worked! If you need my advice on how to convince your husband, you will need to tell me your situation and then I will brainstorm for you.

Then, the painters came on Monday. Without a doubt, it was a REALLY MESS when the plastics were covered all over the living and kitchen room. Since we were not able to walk through, we had to go around the front door to go upstairs, or eat out for two days.

The painters completed the kitchen and living room last Wednesday, just in time when my younger son Ryan got really sick. Once it completed the room, I did want to put it up in my blog, but I didn't want to spoil my parent in law a surprise. I had to hold my horses until Sunday. Wasn't I good at holding my horses?

Finally Sunday came, my parents in law thought they just visited for a BBQ lunch. But actually, we had another surprise for them- our new interior decoration. As soon as they walked in, they were stunned to see the room had changed. Their reaction was, "OHHH MY GOODNESS! I could have stayed here and just look at the walls for hours!"
It felt good to hear a positive comment from our first "interior critics." Cathy, my mother in law, thought it looked like it was from a Home Magazine. Actually, it would even match to home magazine if it has pictures on the wall ! We can't wait until it completes the room.

Even better, it will complete the room once my hard working husband put the Gas Log that I purchased for our living room. This is a perfect ending to have a cozy living room for the Fall and Winter Seasons.

Inspirational Storyteller

Before Ryan's grandparents left for home, I encouraged Ryan to read one of his favorite books, "Five Little Monkeys Jumping Off the Bed" to his grandmother, Cathy. He read every single lines with the use of his inflection. It astounded Cathy when he pointed every single words while reading out loud to her PERFECTLY!


Her small tears showed the joy that Ryan had made an enormous improvement by being able to express from the book. But that was not the only thing lifted her proudest moment. Near the end of the book, there was an exclamation statement, "NO MORE JUMPING OFF THE BED!" He definitely spoke it out loud. Hearing his raising voice made Ryan's grandmother, Cathy chuckled.

Of course, I wished I could use the video but knowing it would interrupted his time to brag to his Grandma. Ryan DOES NOT like to be taken a picture from a camera or being in video. Maybe the next time, I will be able to sneak out and then put in my Youtube.

SCARED TO DEATH

It has nothing to do with saying "Boo" for a pre-Halloween. Can you image getting a phone call/pager from school saying that your child has a high fever 103.5 and lethargic? It happened to my younger child, Ryan. Without thinking clearly, I was panicked and rushed it over with my worst mismatched outfit and painting all over my arms and legs.

While I was on the road, I evoked negatively, teared rolling down my cheeks, and prayed that nothing was too serious. I could NOT image what is like to be without him, so I kept praying all the way to the school and to the hospital.

By the time I arrived, I found my younger son lying down helpless while my other son was active at that time. I had to split my personalities with my innocent older son ,who was trying to share the funny jokes while my other son was helpless in a mini van on our way to the nearby Emergency Room.

In the Emergency Room, Ryan had a very little responsive. That was unlike him because he normally chatted a lot, even though he is autistic. While he was in an observation room, he only responded to the doctor on how he was feeling. His comments were, "different," and "fussy in my head." When I read the comments the nurse wrote it on a computer, it petrified me. Then he went back to sleep. I didn't like seeing his unusual behavior.

He was there for four hours while I was being shivered due to wearing shorts, sleeveless, and sandals without having a jacket with me. I didn't care if I was cold or hungry, the only thing I cared was my cherish son, Ryan.

As a result, it was due to having an Otitis Media Ear Infection on his left ear. He still is not out of woods though he is on an antibiotic. Since he is not out of woods, I know I will be waking up a couple of times during the night because I wanted to make sure he is not over 104 nor being unresponsive. Keep your fingers crossed for me for the night!

Boy with all of these feelings I have had, it was a REAL SCARED to DEATH. Let's hope it will not repeat the pattern.

Photo Memories

My dad was one of the few people who didn't have the original family pictures. His brother had the entire original family photos while my dad collected the family heirlooms: sterling silvers: baby cup, rectangular tray with a monogram on it, and Wine Goblet.

Rather than leaving my dad without having family photo memories, I was gallant enough to ask my Uncle Chris to borrow his entire original family photos ,so David could scan 300 pictures of the family pictures! Fortunately, my Uncle Chris was kind to let us borrow his treasure: original family pictures. It even took us a long time to get all of the pictures done. Within six months, our average was scanning the pictures was about 40-50 pictures while having kids around and then brought the original pictures back to my uncle at each time we saw each other. He was really patiently to let me complete all of the pictures within two years of borrowing his pictures. After we finally finished scanning 300 pictures, we then ordered all of the 300 pictures for the scrapbook. Once we got all of the 300 pictures, I started attending the Creative Memories Workshop along with other deaf people. That's where I learned from the scratch and close to becoming an expert. While I was there without kids for an entire day, I often collected the ideas, given suggestions by others, and learning to play with my "borrowing" new toys from the workshop.
This had given me the energy to finish the scrapbook for my dear dad. In fact, it took me nearly two entire years to finish it: 100 pages!

Even after I finished making the final family scrapbook for my dad as a gift, I still will have to wait until I see my dad and then hand the final gift to him; the family scrapbook. It leaves me pondering how he would react. What do you think? Shall I call him to come over to see us (he lives about an hour and a half from our home) for his belated birthday gift or what? I am opened to suggestions.

You're Banana!

This morning, we were looking and reading the newspaper. Ryan happened to find the Halloween ads. There was one of the Halloween costumes: dressing up in a banana. It was sort of funny when Ryan brought the conversation up.

The conversation began from Ryan:

Ryan telling his daddy as I was interpreting what he had said: "Daddy, you are not banana."

I then jumped in a conversation, " Oh, then am I banana?"

Ryan said, " No, you are not banana."

I last said to him, "Then, who is Banana?"

Ryan said in a front of Dylan, "Dylan is banana."

I held my laughter, "Why do you think Dylan should be a banana?" Ryan said to Dylan that made him angry, " Because he is CRAZY !" (Ryan has learned this from Dylan because Dylan always telling his classmate that he has a crazy brother, Ryan. So knowing that Ryan got an even with him.)

I burst into laughter. Dylan thought it was not funny and trying to revenge on Ryan. I had to calm Dylan down, but I thought it was a cute yet funny conversation Ryan made this Sunday morning.

Pumpkin Patch!

Finally, we came back to Oma's Pumpkin Patch a week later after we had kept our promise for the boys to visit! It was the first time we visited after we last visited this place when Ryan was five months old and Dylan was eighteen months old.

We can say that we would give this place a five star. It indeed has improved incredibly since we last saw this place. This place also provided more than just looking around for the pumpkins and going on a Hayride!

This place includes: playground equipment with swings, even has playground equipments for toddlers, Sand Pile with toys trucks and tractors for the kids, new covered hay rides around the farm, Hay Bale Maze, Petting Bottle Bowling, Petting Zoo, picnic tables, and Cottonseed Mountain.

The first thing Dylan and Ryan went up to Cottonseed Mountain while I was waiting to meet Ryan's former pre-school teacher at the entrance. It was a perfect way to go up the CottonSeed (made out of sheep wool ) Mountain before we take their first snow experience in Julian, California. The cottonseed was really soft, yet a lot better than just using the sand or grass, or even sliding down on a mudslide!

After they finished their experience going on Cotton Seed Mountain, they dared to try out for Hay Bale Maze. I found they were pretty amazing to find their way out without our assistance. It was like playing hide-n-seek for them. The joy was seeing them giggling whenever we looked them over their heads!

Next, they visited the Petting Zoo. In a small pen, Oma's Pumpkin Patch had goats, calves, and lambs. As soon as they walked in a pen and pet the animals, Ryan ran up to us (his former teacher, Mrs. Morales and me), "The Cow says, "moo!" Isn't that cute? They really enjoyed touching the pets.


The last activity was the best part of our visit! Do you know what was it? Well believe it or not, we witnessed the birth of a calf while riding on a Hay Ride ! That's right you are reading it correctly, that was a blessing to see the entire moment when the driver had to stop and help the other farmer delivering the calf!Once our ride was over, there was a very long line waiting for the Hayride ! We were indeed fortunately to go on at the right time and at the right place. After witnessing this awesome experience, we decided to pick out the free Jack Pumpkin. Dylan and Ryan chose their own pumpkin. Not only to planning on decorating the pumpkin, we also purchased the yummy dessert: pumpkin bread!

Without a doubt, we would like to revisit the same place. If you are in town, you are more than welcome to join the fun with us.

Ripple Effect

Apparently everyone in our town is having a ripple effect, a stomach virus! Oh, doesn't that sound fun to you ?! Of course not ! Unfortunately, both of my sons were out sick twice this week from school.

This also includes my students, so it left me hanging it loose throughout the day except catching my lesson plans up.

In the meantime, I am knocking myself on the wood for not getting any virus. If I did, then I would not worry about missing anything as I have a two week of a Fall Break ! Yeah, it would make my own mother in law jealous that I have more break than she does!!! :-)