Wednesday, April 28, 2004

9:47am  VIP Events

Hazel is my sister-in-law - well actually she's Cindy's sister-in-law - but what the heck we're all so close that I just consider her to be mine too.  I first met Hazel soon after her brother started dating my sister.  We met at Joyce and Eric's wedding in Southern California, December 2001.  Unfortunately, we didn't really get to know each other until early 2003 when we started helping out with our sibling's wedding plans and then planning Cindy's Bachelorette Event. 

Hazel is an event planner by trade and she really put together an event to celebrate Cindy's last days as a single woman.  It was an awesome day and the memories still make us laugh whenever we talk about it. 

I've come to value the relationship I have with Hazel.  Our visits are few and far between because of the distance.  But somehow we still manage to stay on top of the latest.  I love her sense of humor, her wit,  and her ability to write an email that makes you laugh out loud in spite of yourself.

Today is the most important event to be celebrated in her event planning career - Happy Birthday Haze!  Enjoy your day!  Hugs!

In other news, Jessica is home!  Yay!  Jay and I went to pick her up in Manhattan last night and there was definitely no shortage of hugs and kisses.  She has so many stories to tell about her California adventure. 

Thanks to my sister and brother-in-law for taking such great care of her for the past 3 weeks.  I know you two must be exhausted so rest up.  The presents are wonderful and I love all the wedding pictures you sent.  I already know which ones are going up in a grouping on my living room wall.  I'll be a huge digital camera nerd and a take a picture of the pictures when its done.  Hee!  

Tuesday, April 27, 2004

1:10am  Its a Date! 

Jay and I decided to take advantage of the last night of our couple time.  We enjoyed a leisurely dinner and a late movie - Olive Garden and the new Denzel Washington flick Man on Fire, which by the way was  excellent but don't take your kids to Mexico City.   Moments like these are precious for us.  To think that we used to take them for granted up until Jessica was born. 

On the west coast, Jessica enjoyed her last day with her aunt and uncle.  She and Auntie Cindy called me from the pool early this afternoon.  Now they are enroute to the airport to catch a redeye back to JFK.  They'll be at my aunt's place in Manhattan even before Jay is ready for work.  I'm so excited that I'll probably be wired for the next few hours. 

My brother-in-law has sent a CD full of all the digital pics documenting Jessica's 3-week California vacation.  I can't wait to post them so keep checking back.   

Sunday, April 25, 2004

11:30pm  Love & Marriage 

The end of our last weekend alone together is 30 minutes away.  Jessica and my parents return from their vacation on Tuesday morning.  Jay and I have definitely come to the conclusion that we really needed this time to ourselves.  From now on we're going to make it a concerted effort to arrange more of this in the future.  We've come to the realization that we have gotten so caught up in the busy-ness of our other roles that sometimes its difficult to nurture the husband-wife relationship.  So this time has been a blessing! 

In this day and age of disposable marriages, I am inspired by the celebration of our friends 50th wedding anniversary that we attended today.  I am inspired that this couple remains in love even after all these years and that they are healthy and strong.  Shoot - they're still pretty light on their feet and weren't skipping a beat out on that dance floor tonight. Talk about an impressive Macarena, Toro Toro and Electric Slide.  Move over William Hung because there's some new talent in this town! 

So now that we've had this time to reconnect and refresh, we're ready to put the parent hats back on with a new appreciation for each other and for our precious daughter! 

Friday, April 23, 2004

5:28pm   Moral Support

Yesterday on the way to Photoshop class, my girlfriend asked me if I would have time to accompany her to Short Hills today.  Not being one to ever turn down an opportunity to go shopping, we set up a 10:30am meeting time.  I drove because she always gets lost trying to get there. 

She headed straight for Tiffany & Co. as I thought to myself "Whoa!  This girl wasn't kidding when she said she felt like shopping today!"  We browsed the showcases.  Note to husband:  Mother's Day is coming!  Hint hint!  Finally after trying on several pieces and much deliberation she found the perfect piece.  I commented on its beauty and offered up a "Yeah girl, go for it!"  Hey its all about the moral support! 

We walked out with the infamous blue bag in her clutches.  She couldn't wait to get home to show her husband what he had just bought her for her birthday...that was in March.  Tsk tsk!  I think someone's been in the doghouse for the last little while!  Ha! 

So this is the last weekend that Jay and I will be without our little girl...at least until July.  She's coming home on Tuesday morning and we're really quite excited.  She's got another busy weekend ahead of her - dinner with the family, some shopping in Beverly Hills, and Sunday brunch with the Bunoan family.

Its amazing how quickly the 3 weeks have passed by.  Jay and I never did get the opportunity to get away and do our weekend trip to Boston or DC as planned.  There will be other days. 

Happy Birthday to Auntie Susan!  Hope that your day is filled with love and laughter and that you are surrounded by all your favorite people!  Hugs!

Tuesday, April 20, 2004

8:10pm  Busted!

Apparently, this blog is really not about me after all.  Lately, its actually become a blog about Jessica since her life has been that much more exciting than mine.  Or haven't you noticed! 

Anyway, after an exciting weekend in San Simeon and then a trip to California Adventure yesterday I think all the activity that comes along with hosting out-of-town guests has finally caught up with my sister.  She's been sounding a little hoarse the past few days - or horse, as one comedian niece would put it, complete with the appropriate horse sound effects.  So apparently Cindy took a sick day and stayed home  to get some much-needed rest.

My sister and I were chatting on the phone earlier this afternoon catching up all the weekend news and I could hear Jessica in the background:

 Jessica:  Auntie Cindy, my cotton candy is hard!   Just some background on the cotton candy - it was purchased yesterday at California Adventure and she was hoping to share it with me when she gets home...next week.  *cough*

Auntie Cindy:   Ohhh that's alright - we'll buy another one later.  Did you eat some of it? 

Jessica:  No!   Apparently she had a very obvious ring of cotton candy around her mouth!

Auntie Cindy:  *laughs* Are you sure?  There's cotton candy on your face! 

Jessica:  *licks her lips* Ohhh yeah I did!  *giggle*   

You're busted little girl  Silly rabbit tricks are for kids!  If it weren't so damn funny that would definitely warrant a time-out for getting her hand caught in the cookie jar so to speak. 

Feel better soon sis - its another week of busy busy family-on-vacation activity!  Hee!

Monday, April 19, 2004

1:43pm  Bring on the SPF!

The past several days have been gorgeous!  Thank goodness we're finally getting the high 70's temps the northeast has been so desperately in need of. 

We spent a beautiful day outdoors yesterday at Holmdel Park to help celebrate MJ's 5th Birthday and Jao's 4th Birthday.  The men started a game of football and the ladies attempted a few rounds of volleyball.  I've got the bruises on my arms to prove it.  The food was delicious and I think I overdosed on the yummy turon. 

Jay and I cut out of the party a little early to head into Manhattan to have dinner with Auntie Charee, Auntie Glo and Lizelle.  Auntie Glo and Liz returned from their emergency trip to Cebu last week.  Uncle MIchael is doing fine and will be continuing the cardiac rehab program in Cebu for the next several weeks.  We're all very relieved that he's going to be fine.  It was good to hear all the details and the updates and to drool over some new Prada purchases made while in Hong Kong.  Goes to show that long layovers in exotic locales can prove to be dangerous!  Ha!

Jessica enjoyed a weekend with her grandparents, Auntie Cindy and Uncle Norman in the central coast town of San Simeon, California  to visit the famous Hearst Castle. 

 Today is another gloriously warm day so I'm logging off to enjoy the sun while I can. 

Friday, April 16, 2004

10:42pm  The Art of Ikebana

Today I was invited to join the girls at their Ikebana Meeting - one of the many activities they participate in as members of the International Friends Club. 

Ikebana is the Japanese art of flower arrangement and was taught by Keiko, a native of Japan who studied the art for many years.  She helped me create a beautiful arrangement of apple blossom branches, Oriental Lilies and a sprig of greenery into a shallow clear glass bowl. The flowers and branches are mounted onto a kenzan - a heavy needle base - which allows for them to stand at their most natural position.  I feel awful that I forgot my camera at home.  Unfortunately, I had to take my arrangement apart before leaving the class because the kenzan wasn't mine.  I'm on a mission to buy my own so that I can continue to practice at home. 

It was amazing to walk around the room to see what other floral combinations and what types of vases the other ladies were using.  I have a new appreciation for flowers,  interesting branches and the way you can put them together to make a simple but elegant arrangement. 

But oh my goodness the home that the class was hosted in was stunning.  As we drove through the neighborhood and up the circular driveway to the hilltop home with a view, we knew this was no regular hood.  The owners of the home lived in Japan for 4 years and they brought back many Japanese pieces of art which they displayed quite exquisitely throughout their estate.  It was a spectacular home! 

After the class the girls stopped for a Thai lunch in Warren and we gushed over the house again.  It was a great way to end of the week!  So now I'll be flower arranging myself silly! 

Thursday, April 15, 2004

11:20pm  Flower Shops, Photoshop & Reality TV

You have exactly 40 minutes to file your taxes!  So if you haven't already done so, you may want to stop reading right now to handle that business - more specifically if you need to be writing a check to Uncle Sam.

Today the girls and I were on a mission to find the necessary materials for our Ikebana class tomorrow.  We visited two flower shops - the first only carried half-wilted tulips and the second offered beautiful exotic flowers at disgustingly high mark-ups.  The crotchety old lady told me that the pretty white Oriental Lily would cost me $7.50.  Hell no - it wasn't pretty enough to spend that much money for one lily.  Needless to say I put it straight back into its pot and turned on my heel.   We ended up leaving that shop with a nice cutting of apple blossoms which was priced at $9.99 by one employee and then rung in at $5.99 by another. Hmph!   After all that we discovered that the local grocery store offered a nice assortment of fresh flowers for much better prices.  I walked away from that deal with two Oriental Lily stems for $5.00.  And I couldn't pass up on the shallow vase at AC Moore at a sweet $2.80.  Go me! 

Photoshop class started today and I was a little rusty on the Mac desktop after having been away from one since Quark which ended last November.  There's about a million and one things you can do with Photoshop so the learning curve is quite steep.  This is going to be one heck of a trip.  Perhaps I should step up my campaign to get a Mac for  this household.  Jay's a PC loyalist so this is going to be a hard-sell.  Time to whip out the mad marketing skills and the charm card.  Hee!

You bet this hardcore The Apprentice fan made a beeline for home after class today to catch the 2-hour finale face-off between Bill and Kwame.  Go Bill for getting hired and having to choose between managing  the development of the new Trump Tower in Chicago or the new Trump Golf Resort with views  of the Pacific Ocean!  Ha - turns out that the official boardroom was nothing more than a teardown set and that Donald Trump can't read a teleprompter to save his billion dollar empire.  I swear the dude was squinting.  Stick to real estate man!   [geez, so how pathetic is blogging about a reality show!]

Wednesday, April 14, 2004

12:50am  M-I-C-K-E-Y  M-O-U-S-E

Here's a shot of Jessica in all her Disney glory!  Uncle Edward's 3-year old promise has finally come to fruition and Jessica's dream has been realized. 

I've been officially brought up to speed on all the details of Sunday's Mickey-fest.  She certainly enjoyed her first trip to Disneyland.  When I called her at the end of the day, she was so excited that she didn't know where to start telling me all about her day.  But she kept her promise and said hello to Minnie Mouse for me.  Apparently Mickey and Minnie do not speak - but rather use sign language to communicate.  Jessica understands the signs and says that a wave means goodbye.  Hee! 

I think I can safely assume that Jessica's traveling companions were tuckered out long before she ran out of energy that day.  No need to add sugar to this recipe kids! 

In spite of her short tearful "I-miss-Mommy" bouts, she is having a wonderful time out west and enjoying every minute of her time with her grandparents and her favorite auntie and uncle. 

Tuesday, April 13, 2004

4:22pm  Miscellaneous Ramble

Its been raining cats and dogs and dogs and cats since yesterday.

I have a ton of paperwork to sift through and zero motivation to do it.

Jessica's new McDonald's Happy Meal dog misses me.  I've never met this new dog.  Jessica thinks that's pretty darn funny. 

I'm having tea with the girls tomorrow afternoon.  Photoshop class starts on Thursday night.  I'm attending a Japanese Flower Arranging Seminar on Friday morning. 

I tried to watch 21 Grams last night and lasted a grand total of 15 minutes. 

Jay is going to test his cardio-endurance at my Circuit Training class tonight.  Let's see who outsweats who! 

I feel about as disjointed as this entry sounds.  I think I may even be talking like this today too. 

Sunday, April 11, 2004

5:05pm  Just Another Excuse to Eat Chocolate

I've already had my share of pastel foil-wrapped Hershey Kisses with Almonds and bunny shaped Life Saver Gummies.  I feel absolutely no guilt here!    Happy Easter! 

So its Day 5:  Couple Lifestyle.  I am digging this couple thing definitely.  Jay and I had a nice leisurely dinner at our favorite spot,  Thai Kitchen in Bridgewater on Friday evening.  Of course the owner and all the wait staff stopped by our table to ask where Jessica was and so I had to explain that she was away on vacation with her grandparents at least a dozen times. 

Jay passed up a hot date with me to play ball with his boys last night. Today is a day of rest - and I mean a day of relaxation and nothing but!   We got to sleep in this morning then went to IHOP for some Belgian waffles and hash browns.  After breakfast we lounged over some magazines at Borders and then rented a couple movies.  I made nachos and we're being lazy-asses today. Is it  bothering my conscience in the least bit?  No!! 

The boys are coming over again to play some ball in a few hours.  Maybe I'll go work out...or maybe I won't!  Hee! 

On the west coast, Jessica is enjoying a day at Disneyland.  I'm sure she's having a total blast.   By the end of today, I'll have more Mickey Mouse updates than I'll know what to do with. 

Thursday, April 8, 2004 

4:55pm  The Silence is Deafening

Its still a little odd to not have to get up and get Jessica ready for school in the morning.  My living room has remained a toy-free zone since Tuesday afternoon.  Now there's a novel concept!  

It's a nice change of pace - this temporarily-without-child schedule.  Jay and I are really beginning to enjoy the couple time we really haven't had the luxury of having lately.  We had the luxury of visiting some friends in Belleville last night without worrying that it would be way past Jessica's bedtime by the time we got in.  Of course when we got there, we became the target of many second honeymoon insinuations - the subtle and not-so-subtle kind.  Hee!

But we both still agree that its a little too quiet without the burst of endless energy that is our Jessica.  Its odd that parents crave for a moment of silence and then when we finally have it, there is a constant feeling that something is missing. 

My heart broke when Jessica had a bit of a moment last night.  Apparently she was looking a little sad after dinner so her Auntie Cindy called me.  The moment she heard my voice she sobbed her little eyes out telling me that she missed me.  But that quickly passed as I heard her Uncle Norman whispering to her in the background that he would take her to Chuck-e-Cheese when he gets home from work today.  I see my brother-in-law has mastered the fine art of crisis management!  You are so cut out to be a Dad man!  Ahem ahem! 

Tuesday, April 6, 2004

9:43pm  Bon Voyage Kisses!

After a short playdate with Kina to exchange Easter candy and some last minute scrambling, Jessica left for California with my parents earlier this afternoon.  With a series of hugs and kisses and a  "Bye Mom, I'll miss you, but I'll call you from Disneyland! " and then a short mommy reminder to behave because Auntie Cindy has the right to give time-outs - they were off to JFK. 

She's only been gone for a few hours, but I miss her already.  Jay admits that he misses her too - no little munchkin to greet him at the door when he got in from work today.  So on our first evening alone in a very very long time, we went out to grab a quick dinner because it was way too quiet here at home.  And on the way home we rented The Matrix Revolutions - not something we would generally watch with Jessica home and one of the many items on our long Adult Things to Do List. Hey now - get your minds out of the gutter, I don't mean that kind of Adult Thing. This is a Family-rated website. Hee! 

And while we're on the topic of daughters, congratulations to Nathaniel and Angie on the birth of their first child - a beautiful baby girl named Kennedy - born on Sunday, April 4, 2004. 

Sunday, April 4, 2004

9:56pm  Home on the Range

We had some quality family time today before Jessica leaves her home on the range...or rather the burbs.  We finally got around to enjoying the movie gift certificates that Em and Dan sent Jessica for her birthday and took her to see the new Disney film Home on the Range. After the movie we treated ourselves to a sinful dessert at Cold Stone Creamery.  Yum!  It was certainly a great way to spend a cold, lazy Sunday afternoon. 

Unfortunately, I received some very sad news today.  My thoughts and prayers go out to Ninong Ceasar and the family!   He and his extended family were in the Philippines to attend the funeral of his late aunt.  This past weekend,  a van load of his relatives, were driving back from the cemetery after paying their last respects before flying back to their homes in Florida this upcoming week.  Tragically the van they were in was struck by a bus in a head-on collision and five of the passengers were killed - including his parents, sister-in-law and two others, two remain in critical condition.   Deepest condolences to Ninong and the family during this painfully difficult time. 

2:53pm  Jesus:  A Marketing Trend? 

I came across an interesting read  in the online version of the Saturday edition of The Toronto Star.  The article talks about how Jesus who has long been revered by society as a religious icon, has now crossed over into full-fledged international pop celebrity-hood.  With the release of the popular novel The Da Vinci Code and Gibson's The Passion of the Christ  -  Jesus is now mainstream, so to speak.   So whether Jesus is Friend or trend, He seems to be the center of more and more conversations these days. 

Who is Jesus to you?  Its a question that's been raised in every church I've ever attended since childhood.  Every one has a different answer and varying perceptions.  Perhaps to a weary parent, Jesus is the kind soul who offers to babysit for a few hours.  To a lonely individual, Jesus is the person who offers friendship.  To someone who is grieving, Jesus is the person who brings comfort in a strong hug.  To someone who has just received a promotion, Jesus is the individual who shares in the happiness and excitement.  I don't think its about religion, denomination, what day you go to church on, or even if you go to church or not.  It's a very personal matter! 

So its not really all that surprising to me that suddenly Jesus has become somewhat of a "brand" - I mean with all the Hollywood hype these days, someone, somewhere is bound to want to cash in.  But I really must say that the bobblehead toys and poseable Jesus action toys are a tad sacreligious.  It's a fine line, a very fine line indeed! 

Friday, April 2, 2004

10:30am  Me Time

So while my munchkin is off to spend her days in the sun, I've resolved to make this time all about me.  I'll be doing the Adobe Photoshop course for 10 weeks towards my certification in graphic design.  I'm really quite looking forward to being in the Mac Lab again after a short hiatus.  I'll catch up on some reading and work on a few more design layouts for Jon and Christine's wedding program booklet - my current work-in-progress. 

In spite of the fact that I'll miss my daughter while she's away, I think every mother can agree that this is a bit of a luxury.  I'm lucky I have parents who love whisking their granddaughter away on fun-filled vacations.  And a sister and brother-in-law who don't mind sharing a piece of their Neopolitan Room with a silly 5-year old and a pink Care Bear...and maybe the blue one too. 

Thursday, April 1, 2004

10:27am  April Showers

Liz emailed me from some internet cafe in Cebu to bring me up to speed on her Dad's condition.  Apparently Uncle Michael is recovering nicely and might be discharged tomorrow, in time to spend some quality relaxation time with the family at Plantation Bay.  I believe he'll be on a cardiac rehab program, but for the most part all is well. 

On the homefront, I've been going through Jessica's closet weeding out her summer clothes in preparation for her trip next week.  "Don't forget my swimsuits Mom!  Are you going to miss me?"  she asked.  "Of course!"  I said.  "Don't worry Mom, I'll call you while I'm swimming!"   She just had to get that in.  Nice!  Hee! 

April showers bring May flowers they say!  It's April and we're getting the showers definitely.  As for the flowers, the landscaping crew are busy spreading the manure on the flower beds around the complex.  It smells a little less than pretty outside.  As Jessica and I were walking from the car to the front door yesterday after school, she turned up her nose at the smell.  Then I spent the next 10 minutes trying to explain what manure is and why in the world anyone would want to plant flowers in sheep poo.  That would have been a good time to refer Jessica to my Dad the greenthumb.  As far is Jessica is concerned, that is just nasty! 

Happy April to my family, friends and blog stalkers out there - try not to get punk'd today!  *wink*