look at what I got

Posted on January 12, 2007 by jeannie

A book! This one -> Destination Art by Amy Dempsey (ha, ha – that’s the name of a former roommate. She now lives in Berkeley too, but she certainly was not a book writer…)

How cool is that? Thank you Laura.

Odd coincidence – I picked up a small gift for you this week as well: A reminder of ole Monument Hill. Monument Hill was the greatest sledding hill ever: a hill perfect in every way for sledding. It was as if it existed only for the few times a year when it was the most majestic, towering, and popular spot in Rockville. I don’t believe there was anything else in that park, only that hill.

I’ve often thought that if I could sled every day, I would have no trouble getting enough exercise. I remember the interminable trudges uphill and then the glorious rush of hurtling down. Over and over again. Oh man, I can’t believe I am getting nostalgic about Rockville, Maryland! (although no ice skating has ever been as much fun as ice skating along the C & O canal next to the Potomac River – probably the same winter. That was the year roofs caved in and we attempted to dig a tunnel from the house to the street curb.)

Posted in books, childhood | 2 Comments

year of the golden pig

Posted on January 11, 2007 by jeannie

My sister is cross with me because I teased her about having been sober the last five months. I had forgotten it is not wise to tease a pregnant woman. Perhaps it will make her feel better to know that I am considering a leave of absence from work in the early part of May to attend the birth in Bangkok. Additionally, our mother is suggesting that she will get Father to pay for the airfare because she wants me to be there for my little sister’s first baby. Nothing is certain, but an idea is forming.

You’ll have to forgive the proper manner of speaking but Bella and I have just finished watching Mansfield Park. I love Jane Austen. I had forgotten how much.

My mother said a few more cheerful things. The Chinese new year, which begins February 18, 2007, will start the year of the golden pig: a very auspicious sign. She assures me that millions of Chinese are enthusiastically working towards having a baby born this year. My first little niece or nephew will be a golden piglet. Very lucky.
She also told me to pick a wedding dress I like – that it will be a gift from her. Hurray! I might love new dresses more than I love Jane Austen. I might try the Trina Turk shop in Palm Springs first. Better move quickly on that offer before she forgets.

The inital elations of the conversation were quickly dampened by my father’s stern remonstrations. He was not pleased to see the master’s thesis appear on the new year’s resolutions a third year in a row.

Oh – another thing that might cheer up my preggers sister: I got you something this weekend. and sheesh I’ll share some of my christmas presents with you already.

[more on the golden pig at this post.]

[link to an article disputing the year of the golden pig at The Seoul Times here.]

[link to wikipedia’s very informative general article about chinese astrology here.]

[As I am seeing relatively huge surge of hits looking for more information about the year of the golden pig, and seeing as how I feel a little guilty about accidentally leading people to my site without providing very much information – I am going to remedy the situation right here.

Most of the information seems to dispute the notion of a “Year of the Golden Pig.” I am also hearing people say, Who cares?! Here is an article from english.chosun.com cautioning against “milking the golden pig.” And another from KBS world saying the whole premise is a load of hooey. If you want to hear from from somebody in Korea, here is a nice little post on a blog called Ranting on the ROC: Rantings and ravings from a kiwi in Korea. Here is one from associatedcontent.com with more links. And one last little article from the Honolulu advertiser here.

Posted in babies | 4 Comments

stomach hurty

Posted on January 10, 2007 by jeannie

My stomach still feels tender, so I am making some chicken broth with the roast from last week. I took Maya’s advice and roasted the bones again before boiling them. This may be the richest, most flavorful broth I’ve ever made!

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iphone

Posted on January 10, 2007 by jeannie

A youtube video that really gives you a feel for the iphone- I found it at blurbomat.com

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgW7or1TuFk]

Click here if you want to see the anticipated iphone from Apple. Personally I’m not into sacrificing quality for the everything-in-one-package deal to that extreme (yet). Also, I agree with Chad: I think the the big screen would get too greasy against the ear all the time – although perhaps bluetooths will have improved by the time it is released.

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engagment photo shoot

Posted on January 9, 2007 by jeannie

It would not be Chad’s idea of fun to get married in a church.

So, we spent last Saturday afternoon and evening tromping around the desert looking for the biggest Joshua Tree to get married under. We drove up to Covington Flats (up La Contenta Road) drove forty-five minutes down a dirt road to the end and parked. We would spy a big tree and head over to it, only to discover that others in the distance appeared larger. In the end I think we did discover a tree we liked, didn’t we?

The real purpose of the trip was to have an engagement photo shoot at sunset out in the desert. Chad and I would love on eachother, throw our heads back and laugh, while Corrina would run ahead of us and take pictures with her stalker lens. It took a while to get comfortable in front of the camera, but it was fun too. She said, “Do what you would normally do, but exaggerate.” It ended up being a really affectionate, loving evening walk in the desert. Thanks Corrina!

(After Corrina “touches” the photos, I’ll post one here – maybe the one I submit to the local paper.)

Posted in wedding for $2000 | 1 Comment

Move over dooce

Posted on January 9, 2007 by jeannie

I have to say that metrodad’s blog is pushing dooce aside. I cannot stop reading it. I am vastly amused.

It’s interesting! It sounds like his parents are wealthy and well-educated. First of all his mother was an airline stewardess, which back in the day, was the ritziest gig women could aim for. In Korea, if you were a woman from a wealthy, well-educated family and happened to be good-looking, then you tried to become an airline stewardess; it was a coveted job. This was told to me by my aunt, my gomo*, who was a stewardess for a few short years. She was poor and aspired to be like those wealthy, well-educated women because she was beautiful (or so the story goes). His mother speaks 6-7 languages and dated European men! That would be pretty far-out for a Korean woman 50 years ago back in the mother country. (Another one of my aunts, my emo**, married a French correspondent and had to promise never to live in Korea).

Also, his father played tennis. Also not a working man’s sport.

Here is his personalized logo from his website:

I think that’s him, his kid and dog. That’s a cute copycat. Photoshop should have the “ipod ad” effect.

Wait, wait. I take it back. Try reading “Surburban Nightlife,” dooce‘s post on Jan 9.

*gomo means aunt from the dad’s side

**emo means aunt from the mom’s side 

Posted in blogs, korea | 5 Comments

need a business idea?

Posted on January 9, 2007 by jeannie

Today while Bella and I were walking past the Lunchables section at the market she said, “I can’t wait until they make one that comes with Wheat Thins and a little can of Cheese Whiz.” (she actually said something like can of “cheese stuff,” but I think it’s cheese whiz)

That’s a pretty good idea. Those little cans would be so cute I would want to buy one to keep near my computer. (I actually have zero knick knacks.)

Does anybody believe me when I say try to feed my kid healthy? Wait, here’s proof. I let her get one treat while we were in town today. She hemmed and hawed, weighed her options, and narrowed down her choices to either an ice cream from Rite-Aid or a Naked Juice at the grocery store. She picked the juice!

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back to work

Posted on January 9, 2007 by jeannie

After 36 hours in bed I think I’m ready to go back to work. Luckily I’m working on a project for the next couple weeks that does not require as much showmanship as other aspects of my job seem to require. I think I had some kind of stomach flu which manifested itself as severe stomach cramps (luckily nothing runny – although that may be because I haven’t eaten), body ache and head ache. Today I am weak and if I keep my head still and move slowly I can manage. Nothing like yesterday where my head felt like a freezer full of cement on top of a wind-buffeted skyrise. Wearing a pair of my Michael Kors will keep me perked up. Chad called in sick for a third day in a row – unprecedented! Well, he actually went to work but his co-workers sent him back home after only 45 minutes. Poor guy.

Some disturbing thoughts about colds and flus from my friend Nathen (says they’re from wikipedia): The infectious cold “cloud” after a sneeze can hang around for an hour. And 30-40% of flus are caused by E. coli – can that be true? Ee-ew.

Posted in health, work | Leave a comment

driving force

Posted on January 8, 2007 by jeannie

Well, since I’ve out and admitted that I am reading The Purpose Driven Life at my father’s request, what’s left but to blog about it? The thing is, and I guess my dad knows it, is that if you read something, you’re bound to think about it, even just a little. So, occasionally something that Pastor Rick Warren says jumps out at me, like at the end of Day 3: “What would my family and friends say is the driving force of my life? What do I want it to be?

I asked Darlene this question about myself and she responded, “To experience every pleasure possible.” She said this about me! So that I don’t sound like a lone hedonist, she said the same for herself, just not to same degree (!!) Then she encouraged me to ask everybody who knew me well that same question (she specifically named Caryn, my mom, my dad, Chad, Sue… but everybody please feel free.) I like that idea. I think most of the people on that list don’t read my blog and will have to be asked directly – but I am now very intrigued.

What is my driving force? I’m going to have to sit on that one.

And another quote from Pastor Rick I like:

We don’t see things as they are, we see them as we are. -Anais Nin

Posted in me | 4 Comments

metrodad

Posted on January 8, 2007 by jeannie

Thanks Laura for sharing this blog, metrodad, with me. He’s sharp and funny and writes about being a dad in New York City – plus he’s Korean-American and 38, and once lived in Bethesda. I feel like our dads might know eachother, except I never met a Korean who would name his son Pierre. Must come from a pretty suave Korean family.
Since I have gone back 4-5 times to find Laura’s email for the link to this blog, I think it’s safe to add to my blogroll. Time to weed that blogroll anyway. Nothing like a sick day to dink around on the computer in bed.

One of Metrodad’s posts that really made me laugh was “A Metrodad Hannukah,” where he talks about feeling like an honorary Jew. Another good post can be found at the bottom of this page. It’s called “Chilled Out Parenting: A Manifesto for a New America.” Luckily I agree with most of what he says so I didn’t have to freak on him and get judgmental. (n.b. Laura did warn me that Metrodad can be a tad smug at times, but can’t that can be forgiven considering his feet stink so badly? Poor guy.)

I am also going to try out Sarah Brown’s blog for a spell, since Heather B. Armstrong (dooce.com) reads it. While Sarah Brown may be too self-deprecating for my taste, I have been finding dooce.com to be pretty addictive.

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