November 03, 2008

Fun Picture ~ I Like It !!! Still can't believe you boys are so grown up now. Will post some of your babies and toddlers pics when I find them....hahaha.


And for the Ladies, they looked so lady-like...even JOY :)) Where have all my little girls and tomboys go...hahaha.....

Sep 30, 2008

Well, if you kids are not aware of what's happening in the world today, let me reiterate. First, Dow Jones has the biggest drop in its index in many years on Monday, Sep 29. 777 points to be exact. In Las Vegas, that would be known as a LUCKY STRIKE! But not in the stocks market. The last biggest drop (at 684 points) was the day after the 911 disaster when planes went crashing into buildings in the US. Why the drop? Because the US political scene rejected a bill to provide 700 billion dollars to the ailing financial institutions. Well, you may ask how will that concern you? Should I even bother? Since I am in Singapore, I am protected? Not really. But rest assure that your parents will help you face as little impact as possible. As for those who are already adults, be thrifty and spend wisely.

On a lighter note, besides the turbulent stock market, you may have read something about the US presidential campaign going on right now. The butt of the joke on this campaign is someone by the name of Sarah Palin. A self professed Hockey Mom, who is elected to be the Vice President for the Republicans Presidential campaign. Why her? Well, let these videos show you what everyone in US is laughing about. Not that I am asking you to laugh at somebody's weakness. However, you can learn some things from the spoofs. That is, don't claim intelligence when you are not apt for it.

Sep 21, 2008

Woo-hoooo, my car plate has finally arrived. Quick, you guys out there, go buy some 4-D. It's a good number too.....6838. What can I say....cough* cough* I always get good numbers for my car plates...my honey says. :) P.S. I had to take out the pic of my car plate, as per my honey's request.




Recognize the pics on right, Jess and Justina? Hehe...yep, they are Krispy Kreme Doughnuts. We went to pick up some dougnuts from Krispy Kreme yesterday at Mountain View. It was sooo.... GOOD. Haven't had one for ages. Just need to bite into one regardless of the discomfort I will probably get later.

And if you see a football doughnut for sale at the window, you know what is in season.....YEP ! College Football Season and Stanford is having a game on that day itself. Doesn't the doughnut looks cute? We bought half a dozen of course with lemon and raspberry fillings mostly. It will probably be a while before I indulge in it again. :)














Oh....I found something really innovative for little kids and probably big adults too. A pair of chopsticks with rings for those who are learning how to eat with chopsticks. I am always amazed at those people who can think of a little something additional to make life easier. Wish I have that capability. :P

Sep 03, 2008

We are getting indian summers over here. Sometimes it could get so hot (>100 deg F) that one feels toasted under the sun. The only consolation is that weather is dry. So, discomfort is minimized quite a bit.

Over the long weekend, we behaved quite Singaporean...... First, I had char kway teow and Alex had char mee tai mak at this Malaysian restaurant, Layang Layang, in Cupertino. It was oily and sinful. Don't think I will have it again. Don't even know why I have it in the first place. Don't even like fried kway teow even when I was in Singapore. :P

Before the sinful act, I actually went to Farmers Market with Ying Ying nearby. Pic below is Ying Ying, happy to have found her heirloom tomatoes. See how different those tomatoes are from regular ones. Not cheap too. Good thing tomatoes cause acid reflux. Saves me some money since I can't indulge in them....hehehe. Look at those strawberries and raspberries. Don't they look pretty. :)

Sunday night, we had this popiah party at Grace's home. I cooked the popiah fillings while the rest prepared the rest of the stuff. It was alot of work but good thing that Alex helped. The jicamas (turnips) here looked so weird. Unlike the smooth looking ones that we are used to. Fortunately, they tasted pretty much the same. We just ate and chat, chat and ate, while Justin (Grace's son) entertained us with his little gimmicks. See his dragon suit on left? He looked so cute in it and he is just such a character. So lovable....hahaha.

And over the holiday, we did some house hunting. Seen some nice houses nearby but the district is not good. Some are smack right in the middle of lower income housing. It is hard to find a decent house in a good district with our budget. How nice if we have some rich parents who can act as sponsors. :P

Aug 25, 2008

Honey and I went to Great Mall after having mee-pok soup at his favorite teochew restaurant on Sat. End up buying more stuff for Shilin's baby at Carter's. I think I should stop here or Big W will have problem bringing them back for me...hehehe. So Shilin, if you are still interested in that little biz idea on mommas' server, let me know. Carter's baby clothes are really good deals here.

On Sat, we were invited to Bruce & Maylee's place for dinner. Dinner was good and after, Chef Maylee made some fruits tarts. The kids were so excited abt making their own. Pic shown is Chef Maylee from left, then Kylie, Josh and Britney. See one of Kylie's own tart creation.

Sunday, we decided to take it easy. Went to church with Honey and after, lunch with some groceries shopping. And Honey's pet project for the day.......get a swifter to swift my car. He was so pleased with himself after the swifting....Thanks, HON ! Car is really beaming with shine now.

Today, I bought a tub of Haagen Daaz for USD 2.50. That's like only 3.5oS$. Man, isn't that cheap!!!

Aug 21, 2008

I went to a chiropractor yesterday. I actually felt good after the light massage and the neck and shoulder cracking. That night, I slept much better than the past few nights. Guess my muscles was all tensed up before. Going again on Friday for another visit coz the knot in my back is so big that it will take a few sessions to make it disappear. Anyhow, I like this visit better than the other visits to the doctors. At least, this one makes me feel better without having to consume anything invasive. I hate all those side effects that comes with the prescriptions the other doctors offered.

I was out shopping with Ying Ying a few days ago and I picked up this swimming suit for Shilin's baby. So pink and so small that I can't resist buying it. Baby can wear until 12 months. Cute?



Well, while uploading the pic, I can't resist uploading this other pic for Jane. Hey Jane, here it is.... your favorite crispy noodles in San Jose style...hehehe. See how deep the height of the noodles. It is at least 3 inches deep. Bet you never see any noodles that tall, aye? Uncle Alex had a hard time digging in....haha.

For those who are wondering what I have been watching on TV lately, it's not the Olympics for sure. :) I am hooked on "Jon & Kate Plus Ei8th". It's a reality show on this young couple who has a pair of twins and a set of sextuplets. Making it 8. So much chaos in the family that I can't help but wonder how my parents (or you kids' grandparents) handled us in the past. But I am glad there were so many of us. Otherwise, there won't be so many of you kids out there too...hahaha. Don't you enjoy having so many cousins eventhough you are in different age groups?

OK, the rest of the blog is for those who appreciates car features. :) Here is what we pay for 2K more for the CRV.....with pics..... :) 6 CD/FM/AM Audio Player /Audio Controls on Steering Wheels
Alloy Sports Rims w Wheel Locks & Mud Guards / Moonroof


The next picture, look at the mpg in center right on top. It measures your miles per gallon (kpg) while you are driving the car. This additional feature on the display is quite cool. I actually re-learn my driving style so that I can get the best of my mileage. :)

Aug 16, 2008

Took the new car out for a spin today. We went to Halu Ramen for lunch with TK & Ying Ying and Stephanie. Ramen still tastes good in Halu Ramen. Still one of the better Japanese Ramen Restaurant after all these years. Will take some pics next time we are there. :) I had the shoyu ramen while the rest had the shio and Honey insisted that I must leave some of mine for him...haha...which I did. :P

On the way back, I had this comical feedback about the new car. Honey in one of his teasing moments......

Aug 15, 2008

Today, is a special day...Thanks to my Honey, I got my new CRV. We finally got our Black on Black Honda CRV. Waited on the car for more than 1 week and we were on the verge of changing to another car. Like the Nissan Rogue. Honey checked the Stevens Creek inventory yesterday and found that the shipment was in. So, we called the dealer (dear Freddy who happened to be on FTO) and he immediately put the SOLD sign on the car for us. So, we picked up the car today after checking and making all the necessary arrangements. Here is a first pic. More will come later.

The EX model came with the sports rim, a moonroof, a steering wheel with audio controls, cargo separator, wheel locks, mud guards and more pleasing-to-the-eye audio player. Costs a little more than the LX model that we first wanted but I think it's worth it lah. LX looks so bland that we gave it a pass after first glance. :) Especially the hub cab.

Aug 12, 2008

Guess what I received in the mail yesterday? My greencard....FINALLY! After 6 over years, this card is finally in my hands. Pardon me for not showing the rest of information on the card. Just taking precaution against identity theft. I honestly did not expect the card to arrive so early. Thought it will at least take a few more months. Pleasant surprise. Would be even better if I have my good health along with the arrival of this card. But I have faith. Health will get better. I actually went out the whole day today without feeling much discomfort. Went out with Ying Ying for Korean lunch along El Camino Real. I had the tofu soup but not the spicy ones. Guess I will have to postpone that to much much later in date. One is never bored when going out with Ying Ying. She has so much to say about whatever is under the sun. Good friend she is. :)

After lunch, we went to Great Mall to look for Han Han's rash guard. Surprisingly, swimming items are already clearing out of stores. Seems like summer is going to be over pretty soon. Another 3 weeks and we are into Autumn. How time flies. While we were in Old Navy, Han Han couldn't resist visiting his puppy at the store. Here's a pic of him and pup. See the little red button. Press it and the pup will talk to you. Han's favourite.

Aug 9, 2008

Watching the 2008 Olympics on TV last night, I can't help but watched in awe the opening show that China presented to the world. It was Absolutely Fabulous ! Zhang Yimou, so very little is known to the rest of the world, has definitely made a name for himself. His name was mentioned numerous times in the US TV report of the Olympics. Eventhough it sounds like "Johnny MO" from the way it was pronounced by the American TV host, he is there alright. Along with the well-knowns of the world.

Back to mundane stuff, we went to visit Alex's GP yesterday. Dr J Chiu. Attitude is definitely better than Dr W. Easier to talk to and takes more time to examine and not so cocky. The visit went well except for the prescription we got from him. Hassle started when we went to collect the meds from Safeway's pharmacy. First, the meds (Nexium) was not covered under insurance. Then, the replacement meds (Protonix) was not approved for the dosage as required by the doctor. Up to now, 24 hours later, I still have not collected the meds. Probably will take another 2 more days before I hear of anything. So, what did we do in Safeway while waiting for the Pharmacy to get answers from Dr Chiu's clinic? Window shopping? Not exactly....there is always something to buy in Safeway if you stay there long enough.

First, we bought a cantaloupe for just 1 dollar. It was so cheap and so sweet. Then, we bought Alex's favourite chips. Then, we roam some more and here are some pics of the supermarket. Noticed what one pays for one tub of Haagen Daaz? Just USD3.99. That explains why I never pay for the same tub in Singapore. It is ridiculously overpriced in Singapore.

My fav soup nicely stacked for easy access.

And SUNFLOWER balloons. Who can miss that? Just looking at it brings a smile to my face..... :)

Time for dinner......more later......

Aug 5, 2008

It's been almost 2 weeks since we left Singapore for San Jose. Time flies. I am slowly settling in one day at a time. Stress from the flight back took a toll on my body but I think I am slowly recovering from the ordeal. Tightness in neck is easing each day and my appetite is gradually coming back eventhough I still get the spasms. I have faith that I will get better soon. Just have to control my anxiety and nervousness. Eat right and rest enough.

Btw, I visited a doctor here for the first time. A Dr W. I shall not spell out the name. Quite an experience. As compared to doctors in Singapore, he talked a lot and examined very little. Quite a pompous and cynical one too. He thinks that whatever I am feeling is all in the mind and I am stressing myself out. He did not even want to review the doctors' records I have with me from Singapore. The 2 visits that I went, his main concern would be whether I am sleeping enough. No 7 hours sleep. That's not enough in his criteria. In a way, he is forcing me mentally to get more than 8 hours sleep. That's what I do now. Sleep before 10pm and wake up about 7am. Some days, I even go to bed at 8.30pm. That is something that I will never do when I am in Singapore. I guess that is good. Body needs rest to repair. So, you kids out there, GET YOUR 8 HRS sleep. Do not sleep only when your body feels tired. Sleep before it does and the body will repair itself better. For good health, sleep well. :) The strangest thing about this doctor is....he even questions his own prescription to me. I told him that I think I was getting better with the meds he prescribed. His question was : How do I know it's the meds that's working and not something else? Well, what can I say? I am dumb founded. No doctors have ever asked me that. Honey A thinks he is an asshole. I would just like to think him as weird. So, will probably stick with hubby's GP instead if he accepts new patients.

Honey A and I are also looking for a 2nd car for me. We have decided on a Honda CRV after much consideration. Will post some pics when we get it. Honey A is currently negotiating for the best price. For him, he is driving his beloved Mazda 3. Here's a pic...

Weather is superb now in San Jose. We are getting relatively cool summer. Occasional hot days but mostly cool. Every evening, we will take walks around Elan after dinner to work my bloating and pressure off. Hubby has been very sporting to keep me company in these walks. It is indeed so comforting to have him around.

I am posting some pics of Elan. For those who have been here before, you will notice that there are not much changes. In fact, after all these years of being away, I don't see any drastic changes in this area. The only change is people. There are definitely more Indians and mainland Chinese. Just like in Singapore. Flooded. Every evening, one will find contingents of prams and parents and grandparents. Quite a sight.

Well, that's all for today. Will fill in when I have more to update.