| October 2003 | ||||
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Friday, October 31, 2003 10:15pm Tricks 'n Treats The Crystal Ridge Club hosted a Costume Party in the clubhouse for the kids in the complex today. Jessica went as a blushing bride and enjoyed the treats and festivities, along with her friends Kina and Kobe (uh no, not as in Bryant), at the event put together by Raymond, the Recreational Director. After the kids had their fill of yummy snacks, some of the families gathered at our friends home in Building 7, for a multinational gathering of cultures: Japanese, Brazilian, Argentinean, and Filipino-Canadian. And the kids on the west coast had their costume party fun too. Yeah Baby! Norm - the Daddy of all Mack! Lookin' sweet in Austin Powers velvet - digital definitely worthy of space in the Family Gallery (huge bribery material potential) - with sidekicks, Go-Go Girl, Nerd Boy and Cleopatra a.k.a Cocoa! *smile* Thursday, October 30, 2003 8:32pm Fun Day It was a sunny, crisp autumn day resplendent in shades of bright yellow, orange and reds. I'd forgotten how beautiful this time of year could be. It was the perfect backdrop for the Fun Day festivities at school. Jessica enjoyed the petting zoo, hayride, pumpkin picking, face-painting and balloon animals with the clowns. I had every intention of taking some digital today, until the juice on my digicam decided to conk out after 3 shots. [note to self: buy lithium/rechargeable batteries tomorrow] Her Dad carved her a traditional jack-o-lantern - her first actually! Jessica is very proud of it and her smiles are plastered all over the photo gallery. My favorite quote for today is by my friend Joyce on the west coast. I stand corrected on my post dated Monday, October 27 9:59am. I quote "and by the way, our house is hardly a "hilltop". *smile* Thanks for helping me keep my writing real! Wednesday, October 29, 2003 1:00pm Spiders A spider single-handedly interrupted the quick burn in the Pilates leg series this morning. In the middle of the class, the girl behind me started banging her running shoe on the gym floor and when I turned around to see what the commotion was all about I saw a huge spider! Our Pilates instructor and apparently insect enthusiast quickly jumped up and yelled out "NO, don't kill it!" and proceeded to try and shoo the nasty little critter out the gym door with her blue mat. I probably would have just killed the bugger *pun intended* since I dislike any kind of bugs - but that would have been a little gross in bare feet I guess. Monday, October 27, 2003 11:04pm Yay! I'm so excited and this is definitely worth blogging twice in one day! Today was one of those icky, just wanna stay home and curl up under a blanket kinda days! But I had to smile when Jessica announced quite out of the blue that she knows how to spell C-O-S-T-C-O. *giggle* And to up the yay! factor today, was a long overdue phone call to my friend Becky in the Bay Area after hearing her message when I got home from class earlier this evening. She and her husband Troy and their cutie dude, Toby are about to welcome another little one into this world. Definitely miss our Jamba Juice and Cold Stone fixes and having dinner with you all! Monday, October 27, 2003 9:59am Fire Safety I'm watching the news updates on the fires raging in Southern California. My sister and brother-in-law, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends live there and are thankfully, to date, safe. Caught up with my sister last night - she and Norm sat outside our friends hilltop home on Saturday night and from their vantage point could see all the different fires burning in the distance. My prayers are with you! Nature and its elements amaze me and I marvel at its power. Here on the east we tolerate snow, ice and sleet, the wind chill factor and temps that can dip well below freezing point in the winter months. Inclement weather is defined by having several feet of snow on the ground. And in the summer, we endure long humid days. On the west, we read about earthquakes (surprisingly enough did not feel them since we happened to be out of town the few times one hit the area we lived in) and inclement weather was characterized by a freak light dusting of snowflakes. The weather reports always came in two's - coastal and inland - often varying by several degrees. I've worn my light "fall coat" on a "cold day" in January and my fleece pullover in July. Oh to wish that Mother Nature would send some 90-degree weather this way! Friday, October 24, 2003 9:03am Smile! Some people just have the natural ability to make children smile - Jessica's ballet teacher is one of those! Jessica must have had a "rough" day at preschool yesterday! Usually she never complains when I take her to ballet, but yesterday was a lot different. She was crying and whining that she didn't want to go. When we finally got there, as I was changing her into her leotard and practice skirt, her ballet teacher, Miss Maggie, came into the studio waiting room and noticed the tears on Jessica's cheek and the little pout on her lips. "Hi Jessica, where's the smile you usually have on ballet day? Come on, are you going to hold my hand and be my little helper today? You have to lead me to the ballet bench in the studio!" After her 45 minute class, she was all smiles again as Miss Maggie waved goodbye, "Bye Jessica, see you next week. I'm glad you're smiling again!" In other news, Jessica tested positive for an allergy to peanuts and hazelnuts. So I now carry Benadryl chewable tablets and an Epi-pen in my purse. I can't help but worry sometimes! Hey its been a month since my blog went live! It's been a fun hobby slash obsession. Eagerly waiting to get my hands dirty in Dreamweaver and Flash! Yes I know Flash sites are hella annoying to the true techies, but we won't call out names, right Jay and Dan! *grin* But I want to learn it anyway and besides it'll be yet another excuse to hog this pc. I think my husband is this close to getting another pc for this household. Apparently one isn't enough anymore! *visions of Mission Control, just like at, ahem, our friend's San Francisco home*. Thanks to my readership for supporting my virgin attempt. I wanna hear you say CARPAL TUNNEL! Thursday, October 23, 2003 11:41am Do Not Call I finally took 10 seconds to register our home phone number on the National Do Not Call Registry. We get a huge amount of telemarketers calling here. Thank goodness for caller ID - my rule of thumb is "If i don't recognize the number, I don't answer the call". *just a little tip for all you who block your number* Well today I got a call from a telemarketer representing some association I had never heard of (of course he knew my name and the street I live on). "For $50, you will receive Gold membership and a sticker to display on your car or in your home"...something about children whose firefighter parents are lost in the line of duty. I told him politely that I was not interested. Then he threw in "Don't let the dollar figure intimidate you, for $35 you can receive Silver membership...". *what! intimidate me? what part of not interested did he not get?* I replied a little less politely that I was still not interested. "For as little as $10, you can help...". "NO - I'M NOT INTERESTED!" Then I got his attitude, "Fine then maybe next year!" click, he hangs up! Now I understand that someone out there has a job to do, but dang can I just say, grrr! You bet I went online to the National Do Not Call Registry which claims that I should see a noticeable decrease in unwelcome calls within the next 3 months. Guess I'll just have to wait and see! Tuesday, October 21, 2003 10:05am It's All Good Jessica's first day at the Lake Nelson Early Learning Centre went well. She fit in perfectly and seems to be enjoying it. *sigh of relief* Here's a huge shout out to my sister, Cindy, who has finally gotten around to signing my guest book. I know she reads my blog regularly, although she probably gets the latest news first hand over the phone before reading about it anyway. Thanks for taking the time - I know you and Norm have been busy with newlywed life, the new house and everything else that goes along with the territory! Miss you guys! Sunday, October 19, 2003 11:58pm Goodbyes - Part II Jessica attended her Goddard friend, Jonathan's 5th birthday party today. At this party, word went around that Jessica's last day at Goddard was last Thursday. Several of the mom's approached me, quite saddened that Jessica would no longer be in their child's class. It was really quite touching to find out just how much the other kids had come to love their little friend Jessica, so much that they spoke of her at home. And yeah so now I feel like a big ol' party pooper. One mom in particular pulled me aside for a private conversation - well, about as private as you can get in the midst of a bunch of sugar-rushing children. Her son started at Goddard just shortly after Jessica's first day this past April. His mom sent a short note to introduce herself and her son to me and the other parents of the class. Her son is painfully shy and he's had trouble making friends. As it turns out, Jessica apparently introduced herself to him on his first day at Goddard and they've been friends ever since. They were in the same Pre-School class again this year and Jessica made it a point, along with another classmate, to make sure he was having fun. When Jessica and I arrived at this party at the Romp-a-Round - every child's piece of heaven on earth - she spotted John and his mother wandering from game to game. Jessica ran over to them, "C'mon John, let's go on the big slide!" John clung to his mother's hand and was dead set against going on the big slide. As the party was winding down, Jessica again spotted John and together they played on the little slides. Then Jessica said to him, "Hey let's go on the big slide, I'll wait for you, c'mon don't be scared!" in a gentle voice. I could see a little smile beginning to form on his face and with a little apprehension he announced to his mom that he was "going on the big slide with Jessica". Before long, all fear was gone, and he and Jessica were up and and down that big slide too many times to count. Gone was the shy little boy - replaced rather by one running alongside Jessica and having a great time. As John's mom and I sat on the bench watching them, she said to me "Judy, your daughter is wonderful. She has made John feel so at home at Goddard and he breaks out of his shell with her. You are so lucky to have a child with her kind of spirit!" Then sadly, she went on to tell me that every time John makes friends they move away. *heart breaking* I gave her my cell number and promised that we would set up play dates for the two. Today I saw a tiny 4 year old person impact someone else's life. I saw in her the spirit of compassion and friendship and the desire to make another child feel comfortable. Not always something we thirty-something's can do with that kind of ease! I am in awe! Thursday, October 16, 2003 10:07pm Goodbyes Goodbyes suck! Today was Jessica's last day at Goddard School and I think I was a little more upset about it than she was. She went off to school packing cupcakes for her classmates and a little present for her teachers. Admittedly, I got a little teary when Jessica went to hug Miss Merin and her best little friend, Sophie, at the end of the day. Merin wrote a nice note on the daily report that goes home with her students at the end of the day: Thank you so much for my gift and letter. I appreciate it so much. It is very sad for me to see Jessica go. She is a great little girl and so full of energy. and, Jessica, I hope you have a great time at your new school. I loved having you in my class and I hope you come back and visit. *sniffle sniffle* Awww! I must give credit where credit is due. Goddard was Jessica's first formal classroom experience after being at home with mom for 4 yrs. Jessica transitioned very well. On her first day, she was so excited to meet the other children. I'm the one who cried as I drove away. Now Jessica starts at a new school on Monday. No doubt she'll fit right in, as she always does in every place we go. It still amazes me how quickly Jessica bonds with people. Talk about being Type A! I'm proud of her - and being proud of my daughter doesn't qualify me for the Mother of the Year Award, but still a proud mom nonetheless. After almost 48 hours in labour, I think, at the very least I've earned the bragging rites! *smile* Wednesday, October 15, 2003 11:42pm Hello, My Name Is... Today I introduced myself to a girl in my Pilates class. After some small talk about our latest series of crazy semi contortionist moves, I discovered that she and her family had recently moved into the complex from the Bay Area - not far from the town we lived in. It was rather novel to meet someone all the way out here who knew exactly where my old street is located and who could exclaim "Oh yessss Mudd's!" when I used that yummy and decadent restaurant as a point of reference. And even more novel to find someone who was just as excited about finding a Trader Joe's in these parts as I was. Doesn't take much to entertain me, does it?! Monday, October 13, 2003 12:42am Canada Gets Cool Happy Canadian
Thanksgiving! Most of you are probably sleeping or still up cooking
- yes I have friends that run the entire length of the
useful-in-the-kitchen spectrum. I thought I'd get that in early.
Hope that you all have a wonderful day of eating with all your In keeping with the theme for my "home and native land", I read an article the other day on the online version of The Toronto Star that asked "When did Canada get so cool?" For a country that has always struggled to find its identity, perhaps it's been found. Canada's cool. Barbara Atkin, fashion director for Holt Renfrew, here to preview next season's trends, believes a series of events conspired to elevate the country's cool factor. News stories such as the legalization of gay marriages and the recently relaxed marijuana laws have brought international attention to Canada. "Even SARS put Toronto on the map. People are noticing us and they are drawing a distinction between Canadians and Americans," she says. "Now they think it's interesting to have Canadian models on their runways. It's a cool thing to have a couple of Canadians design your collection for you." She's not alone. Last July, Washington Post reporter David Montgomery commented on America's hip, progressive, independent-minded neighbours to the north. "Just when you had all but forgotten that carbon-based life exists above the 49th parallel, those sly Canadian have redefined their entire nation as Berkeley North." Canada's refusal to join the coalition of the willing in the war against Iraq, our gun registration laws, as well as our new gay marriages, in his eyes rendered Canadians pretty cool. Montgomery characterizes Canada as "home of the self-deprecating and polite-to-the-point-of-invisible people." And he's amused when he asks the question, "Isn't America supposed to be the cradle of the coolest, most cutting-edge culture?" Atkin agrees the same qualities that made us nerds before are making us cool now. "It's all starting to work in our favour," she says. "Bragging is out. Being loud is out," says Atkin. "Canadians generally don't go out of their way to grasp attention. We're tolerant of other people and cultures and of the differences. We don't criticize people who are not like us. We're the new Amsterdam, the new Dutch." - Toronto Star Oct. 11, 2003 Refreshing to see positive press for a change! Yay for a country that took the hit with SARS and its anti-war stance. And in the humble opinion of a Canadian currently living outside of its borders, I would have to heartily agree that Canada can wear her coolness factor on her sleeve, but then again I suppose that would be bragging. Thursday, October 9, 2003 10:23pm Figure it Out! There have been a few things I've had to get used to since relocating to this east coast state. The fact that there is NO, I repeat, NO sales tax on clothing and shoes I can totally deal with. Yay - any excuse to shop! But, this state brings new meaning to the terms road kill and urban planning nightmare. Most places would consider road kill to be raccoons, or poor puppies or kitties - but here we're talking DEER! It's quite the normal sighting in these parts and we hardly live in the boonies. In fact, we live along a fairly major highway in this county. I don't think it even phases most people, because I can drive past the same road kill deer for 3 days straight. *thinking uhhh when are they going to remove that*. And jug handles bother me! Traffic I can deal with, but some urban planner was on serious crack when they were thinking that out. I'm still trying to figure out how it makes sense that in order to get into my complex from the east bound side, you first need to pass it, get into the jug handle to be able to make a left onto the west bound side and somehow merge to the furthest right lane right away while at the same time trying to yield to the cars trying to switch into the left lane in front you. All this while hoping that you don't get rear-ended. That turnout is an accident waiting to happen and I can't wait to see what other hell occurs when the Wal-Mart opens next door. Then try getting or giving directions. Since leaving the familiarity of my hometown, Yahoo Maps and Mapquest have been my lifeline, but unfortunately 99.9% of the time it doesn't recognize jug handles and the accuracy fails miserably. There! Now that I have that off my chest, with all my luck I'll broadside a deer in my next jug handle battle. Eww! Wednesday, October 8, 2003 12:21pm Workin' It Another element of my day (outside of tweaking this site and blogging) is trying to keep in shape. *cough, metabolism slows way down after 30* I try to get into the gym at least 3 times a week. There really is no excuse for NOT going since the complex has a fully equipped gym just steps from our building. Classes in yoga, dance aerobics and Pilates are also offered. Last night I did the dance aerobics class and the entire time I was thinking to myself "oops my bad, I thought I was in the dance aerobics class and not in the final rehearsal before opening night". I am a total spaz and I think I can safely assume that I have absolutely no future on Broadway. So the workout was trying to get the steps right, forget about form! Definitely not my forte! I've been doing Pilates for about a month and a half now and this is so much more my style! [Note to self: back to back workouts like that are overkill - ouch] The ab series kicks butt and I feel deep core muscles that I wasn't aware even existed. No pain, no gain! Monday, October 6, 2003 10:28pm The Brick I enjoy many of the forwards I get from my sister. Today she sent me a great piece entitled "The Brick" where a young boy literally throws a brick at a passing brand new Jaguar in order to get the driver's attention to get help for his little brother who has fallen out of his wheelchair. In the end, the driver decides not to have the dent on the car repaired to serve as a reminder, "Don't go through life so fast that someone has to throw a brick at you to get your attention!" God whispers in our souls and speaks to our hearts. Sometimes when we don't have time to listen, He has to throw a brick at us. I think God has had to throw several bricks at me - I've got lots of dents in my life to prove it. I tend to get caught up in the daily grind and go through life at breakneck speed without stopping to remember all the important things. In the morning, I will tell someone I care about how much I appreciate them, I will make that long overdue phone call and reply to that unanswered email. Sunday, October 5, 2003 11:58pm Day Trippin' Today was the conference-wide Adventurer Fun Day at the Cape May Zoo - a nice two and a half hour drive close to the coast in Cape May, NJ. Jessica and all the Precious Jewels enjoyed the animals, the potluck lunch and their craft project before running off some energy at the playground. On the way home, along with the Negrillo family, we did a side trip to Atlantic City, NJ - famous playground for the high rollers. The beach was really beautiful and I managed to get a few great landscape shots. I've been really putting the digital to work lately! Fun filled day with great new friends. Saturday, October 4, 2003 11:45pm Family Happy Birthday Ed - my favorite cousin, you always bring laughter and smiles everywhere you go! Hope you enjoyed your birthday party at Cindy and Norm's home! Woo-hoo, their first ever dinner party at the new house! Sorry we couldn't be there! Love you dude! Family means a lot to me and I feel blessed to have a close relationship with everyone in mine! I have parents who love and understand me, in spite of my shortcomings. I have a sister with whom I can share my joys and frustrations with without being judged. I have a husband who's ability to forgive far surpasses all human capacity and a princess of a daughter who only sees perfection in a mother who is not! Family extends far beyond parents, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles and cousins. I'm also lucky enough to have a church family who welcomed me and my family with warm smiles, generous hospitality, friendship and kindness. It is truly a blessing! Friday, October 3, 2003 10:30pm Pinoy-ness My friend Jane has been working on a paper themed around immigration and its affect on Filipino culture/traditions. As a sidenote to her research, she watched the Fil-Am movie production The Debut, which depicts the conflict between a teenager's American lifestyle and his family's Filipino traditions. We were discussing it the other night and I just had to run out and rent it myself. I laughed out loud in many of the scenes because I could relate to many of the characters and scenarios in the movie. As a Canadian-born Filipina, I have a certain amount of pinoy pride if you will. No I can't speak Tagalog fluently (and that doesn't make me a "sell-out" so to speak), but I can certainly understand it and even write it (grammatical errors included) in the rare event that my life would depend on it. And hey yeah I can cook pancit, adobo manok and turon - yay! *grin* I want my daughter to be proud of her Filipina-Canadian roots, to understand and embrace her ethnicity, and to appreciate the opportunity she has had to travel and to live on both coasts of the U.S. Mabuhay! Thursday, October 2, 2003 9:28am Frou Frou It's October and Breast Awareness Month! Wear a pink ribbon. In honor of the breast and because I am a woman who has to be aware, I'm blogging in pink font today. Summer is really over and it's time to retire my leather flip-flops for the season. Boooo! Time to dig out the boots and leather jacket. Last night, I got to taste how the other half lives. I attended the Louis Vuitton Opening Event at The Mall at Short Hills with Auntie Charee (my family's resident LV collector), Uncle Abner, cousin Desiree, Bobby, Jay and Jessica. Wow the frou frou-ness! Bubbly and Perrier were flowing almost as quick as the Gold cards out of LV wallets. We oohh'd and aahh'd over the new shoe and bag collections. Slipped my feet into a pair of $500 cherry blossom ballet flats. Nice, but dang - and that's about as close as I'll get to those. Jay sat in open-mouthed amazement at how much money any one woman could drop on *gasp* shoes and a bag. Hon, just think about your dream bass boat and you'll get the general idea! The Filipino LV representative (also my aunt's friend) brought over different products to us as we lounged - an LV diaper bag?! This dude had an entire clientele - cult following if you will - on a first name basis with him. Every few minutes someone would come over and do the kiss, kiss and "thank you Romeo" after dropping a grand or two in purchases. Nice commission so "No, thank YOU". Definitely an interesting rich-ass-people-watching op and quickie fantasy moment! |
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