England

Goodness! This blog is so neglected. Here are a few pictures of our London trip.

Partying with the Elementary School Parents

Last night we attended a going away party for one of my daughter's classmate. His family is moving to Boston.

1.) I've never been to a party where food was catered by waiters....at someone's house before. That was a first. And quickly reminded me how very middle class I am.

2.) I also realized how removed I am from the stay-at-home crowd nowadays. I still volunteer at school from time to time, but after listening to some of the conversation around me, I guess I am not as involved as I was in the past. This saddens me. I don't believe that I'm missing anything vital that is going on in school, yet I still can't help but feel guilty. But I shouldn't be. Both my kids are doing well in school, and to my knowledge have great friends and aren't miscreants in class (did I spell that right? miscreants?).

Most of the news was really what was going on at lunch/recess time, conversations with teachers, the next fundraiser, etc...

I had originally planned to quit my job for the summer, and it's still a possibility. But with the economy the way it is...and the fact that I just got promoted, it's hard to resign now. I even tried to use my kids as an excuse to stop working, but my supervisor keeps telling me she'll be flexible. How do you say no to that?

I'm not sure where I'm going with this post. It's just a very confusing time for me. Deciding whether to be a working mom vs. stay at home mom isn't an easy choice for me. Most people will say why can't you do both roles? And most women can. I guess I'm still adjusting to going back into the work force.

The positive things about working? Great vacations, savings for college, the husband can breathe a little easier financially.

I'm rambling...I'll figure it out. Please excuse my whining.

Oh, and quite possibly the most annoying moment at the party? I had "one" glass of wine, and being Asian, I turn completely red faced. Now, most of you know that it takes me at least four glasses before I become incoherent. Every party that we go to (that involves the elementary school set), there is this particular Asian mom that runs up to me, and say "Oh, look at you. Are you shit-faced?"

So, bitch called me out last night. And I guess I had enough, and asked her why she felt compelled to call me out at each and every party? She got a little embarassed and walked away. I guess it was her way of making a joke (as my husband quite politically pointed out), but I guess I was annoyed enough to call her out.

We're going to another party next week, let's see if she'll do it again.

Anyways, two more weeks til England!

We're going to London!

We're going to London! I'm so excited. I haven't been back since we got engaged in 1998! We're taking the kids there for springbreak. Our son will celebrate his 6th birthday in London. I'm sure he'll be disappointed that he won't have a birthday party this year, but I am so excited. We're going for 11 days, and I'd really like to visit the Cotswold while we're there.

Snow Days are the best!

I'm sitting on the couch watching the kids play Wii Fit. Frankly, I'm too lazy to get my digital camera to take pictures today.

I've never really appreciated snow days before, but now that I am working...I LOVE THEM! Papa Hu took the day off yesterday to watch the kids, and today is my day.

I plan to do nothing all day except catch up with "24" on my laptop. The kids are planning to play in the snow with our neighbors kids, and I will be watching...okay, who am I kidding, I will be watching "24" while looking outside from time to time until the kids are frostbitten.

Happy Snow Day!

When a 5 year old strikes out....

Apparently, my 5 year old is upset with me. I found this message in the play room. Apparently, I'm not allowed to enter. At least I know he can spell!

Inauguration 2009

I'm just too tired to write much, but we went into D.C. We had not planned on going, but thought that since we lived so close, we'll regret it later. Years from now, even if the kids don't remember a thing about today, they can at least say they were there.

I can't believe that the kids were such troopers. No one whined! Here are some pics...

The Cuban Immigrants

There was a serious element to our Cancun trip. While we were waiting for our flight home, a group of about 35 people were escorted to the gate. I thought it was peculiar that they would round up these people, and escort them on the plane, but didn't think much of it for most of the flight. We flew into Miami first before proceeding to D.C.

As we went through customs, I noticed that the same group of 35 people were again rounded up. Some of the women and men were crying profusely. At this point, I'm kind of taken back, because you don't normally see a large group of people, and quite a few of them crying.

Finally, someone told me that they were Cuban immigrants. They had to fly to Mexico first, then to the states. The immigrants were on a three year waiting list, and had to be sponsored by a relative, and had to have a job secured for them before coming over to the states.

This was very humbling for me to see. I've spent a week loafing around Mexico, and this was probably such a life changing event for all 35 people.

Another passenger told me that she ended up talking to one of the immigrants who told her that his grandfather had upset Castro, and was then put on a blacklist. So, his grandfather could not find work, his father couldn't find work, and finally he couldn't find work. They were just living on the kindness of other relatives. It's just such an amazing story.

I didn't see the Cubans after we left customs, but I'm thinking of them, and their new life.

Back from Cancun and not liking the weather...

Well, we're back! The trip was great. We spent alot of time at the beach, pool, eating, and shopping.

Our hotel has a great Kids' Club, and the kids spent a couple of hours a day there....which allowed Momma and Daddy Hu to spend some time alone.

We went to Isla Mujeres, and took the kids to swim with the dolphins. Of course, they did not allow me to take pictures while we were swimming with the dolphins, and I ended up buying pictures that actually cost more than the cost of admission.

There was hardly anyone in Cancun. We went after the holidays, and before the start of springbreak. I've been to Cancun before when it was so busy, you'd literally step over bodies to get around. This time, we had our pick of lounges, and spots.

We also went on a "submarine." Okay, it's not really a submarine, but a glass bottom boat. In order to get to the glass bottom boat, you have to take a speed boat from the lagoon which takes you to a spot in the middle of the ocean where the glass bottom boat awaits you. It takes about 20 minutes or so to get to the gbb.

They were passing out free beer on the way to the gbb, so I figured...hey...it's free, and I'm feeling festive...so I down two bottles of beer in 20 minutes. Then we get to the gbb.

All I'm saying is the captain of that fucking gbb should never have gotten his boat license! We kept verving to miss the coral, or if he found some interesting marine life he'd chase after it. Before we started moving, the narrator was kind enough to make an announcement informing us that there were plastic bags underneath our seats...just in case.

10 minutes into the ride, I'm getting greener and greener. Meanwhile, my husband screamed at me to look at the sea turtle that's right out my window. I just looked at him, and told him "Just don't talk to me."

I sat two rows away from the hatch, and the college kid that sat right behind me wasn't feeling all that great as well. He probably was about 6"3 and built like a linebacker. I asked him to knock on the hatch door so that I can get out. Seeing how sick I was, he starts banging on the door probably praying to God that I wasn't going to get sick on him. As the hatch opened, three guys looked down and said "Lady, you 'kay?" No, I'm not okay!!!!!

I'm crawling out of the bottom, and college kid/linebacker comes up with me. Now, he's asking me if I'm okay. Will people stop talking to me? I look at him as I frantically try to open my plastic bag, and proceeded to vomit....twice. Well, that set college kid/linebacker as well, because he throws up as well. And then he has the nerve to tell me that I'm contagious! What? Okay, he's obviously not going to a good college....

So, there's little short me, and the linebacker just standing there on top of gbb trying to ask the Mexican sailors for napkins. They totally didn't understand...

The gbb finally glides us to the speed boat. I swear, I almost started crying tears of joy. I looked over to college kid/linebacker and he has the same look. We both jumped on the speedboat. Where I proceeded to drink water, and college kid/linebacker asked for a beer.....

Other than that particular excursion, the trip went well. The weather was great the whole time, and we'd like to make it our annual trip. It was a huge shock coming from 88 degree weather to about 8 degree weather (we got home around midnight on wednesday night). But it's good to be home.

So...here are some pictures. Enjoy!

T'was the night before Christmas, and the carnage after.

On Christmas eve, after much last minute shopping...we finally got the kids ready for bed. They were determined to meet Santa this year. So...we allowed them to camp out in our family room.

The eldest would not let me buy cookies for Santa, because in her words "He needs to go on a diet." I almost died laughing in the grocery store. Yet candy canes, and a small piece of Ghirardelli chocolate is okay.

The little jingle bell was for the reindeer...just in case they lose one of theirs.

Not much sleep happening.

Too excited to sleep.

Finally, around 11pm, we realized that the kids were asleep. My husband had to sneak into the garage (I bought a few more toys on Christmas eve at 7pm...yes, I know, I was asking for trouble, but seeing the mass of humanity at Toys R Us...I didn't feel like such a chump). Our garage door is right next to couch, and the door creaks. I was cringing when he slid the door open. Let's just say that my husband will never make the cut for the C.I.A.

As we were wrapping the last few presents, we heard little feet come down the stairs. We flung the presents, scissors, tape, and wrapping paper in the back room just in time to see our son ask us if Santa arrived yet.

We finally got everything wrapped and underneath the tree around 2am. The kids woke us up at 6:30am.

The eldest with her most requested gift.

The male progeny with his most requested gift.

She wasted no time getting the Nintendo DS open.

Neither did he.

The irony of Christmas morning? The son took all the discarded boxes, and started playing with those instead of his new presents. I could have saved a ton of money my child!

Ah, but look at that smile.

Daddy Hu bought Momma Hu this for Christmas. Hmm...I really appreciate this, but I'm starting to wonder if it's a hint about my current physical condition. Thanks babe!

Daddy had the unfortunate task of trying to put a Lego set together.


Daddy Hu also received a gift from Santa...he got an iPOD nano.

L, Thanks for hosting Christmas lunch/dinner! C, Daddy Hu had a great time hanging out with your hubby, and we'll try to have you guys over for dinner soon. I hope everyone had a great Christmas!

Why I can never be a chef...

I set my alarm to wake up at 6am. My office party is today. For some reason, I thought that making two quiches FRESH this morning was a good idea. So, I spent about 30 minutes cutting, dicing, slicing, etc....put the two quiches in the oven around 6:30am, made a cup of coffee, and figured that I had plenty of time to relax. Well, the timer just went off....I went to check on the quiches, and they were.....uncooked.

I'm not sure how I turned off the oven, but I apparently did. I have at least another hour before I have to get the kids on the bus, but damn...it's not my morning!

Holiday Gifts for teachers

I am one of three room parents for my son's kindergarten class. Since we are in a Chinese Immersion Program, we have two teachers. Both the kindergarten and1st grade class (my daughter is in the 1st grade Chinese Immersion Program) share the same two teachers.

This year, the 1st grade room parents and I decided to combine our respective classes holiday contributions and get gift cards for the teachers.

Guess how much we collected? $600! That's $300 per teacher. I am really excited, because we all know that teachers are sorely underpaid. There is one teacher in particular who is always at our school. I remember seeing her after a PTA meeting (and it was way after 8:30pm) at school. I am amazed at how much time teachers actually spend at their jobs.

What amazes me more is the incredible generosity from the parents. I didn't ask for a particular amount, but left it up to each family to donate as little or as much as they'd like.

One family in particular has fallen on hard times, but the mom came up to me and gave me a contribution. I can tell that she was embarrassed by the amount that she gave me (a bag of 7 quarters), and actually started to tear up and said that she wished she could have given more. I told her that her donation was incredibly generous and gave her a smile (I really was trying to keep from tearing up in front of her).

I know that Christmas can be an incredibly commercialized and materialistic time, but it's people like that particular mom that has restored my faith in the season.

We're going to Cancun!!!!

We finally booked our trip last night. I'm exhausted after researching all the different places that we wanted to visit. Seriously...I booked our trip at 1:31am last night.

First, we started with the Dominican Republic, then we moved to Hawaii, but was told by family members that it's the rainy season and since we only wanted to take a week off from work....the 12 hour flight (with layovers) did not seem too appealing.

We even thought about going to Europe, but the Euro is still so strong, and it's cold there....

We decided that we definitely want to go some where warm, where we wouldn't feel guilty just sitting and reading.

This will be our fourth time there, but we've never taken the kids. Because we are cheap...we are taking the kids out of school the first week of January....yeah, I know...I should feel guilty about the truancy issue, huh? But it'll save us $800!

We hopefully will be able to take them to a Sea Turtle Sanctuary and a dolphin discovery program while we are there.

Both Mama and Papa Hu sorely need a vacation. So, we're off to "ME-HE-CO" January 7th!

Voting with a child

I just got back from voting. I couldn't sleep last night. I woke up with a source of nervous energy. The interesting thing....my daughter actually woke up before I did.

For the last few weeks, she's been keenly aware of the elections. In fact, her classmates were discussing "who" they were voting for. I thought this was interesting. I'm not sure if it's due to our proximity to D.C. or if children every where are keen about the elections.

Since our daughter seemed so interested, we agreed that she could come with one of us to go vote. While driving to the polling station, there was a radio ad for Barack Obama, and my daughter said "That sounds like Barack." Again, I am so surprised how much she can differentiate between the candidates.

We discussed that once we were in line, we probably shouldn't voice who we are voting for. I told her that voting is a very personal matter, and other people may not be voting for the same person. She totally got that.

We passed cars with McCain bumper stickers, and she counted them along the way. She also counted Obama bumper stickers as well.

The line wasn't horribly long, but we did end up waiting for 30 minutes (and I got there around 6:55am). The person in front of us is originally from Trinidad, and the person behind us is originally from Honduras, and I'm originally from Vietnam. My daughter asked us why we were allowed to vote since none of us were born in the U.S. I told her even if we were not born in the U.S., we all became U.S. citizens and are priviledged enough to vote. It was an interesting history lesson, and my daughter really enjoyed talking to our fellow voters.

When we finally got to our poll booth, my daughter quietly watched me vote. I had a flashback of my own childhood...going to vote with my parents. That left an impression on me. The importance of a vote, and I hope today left an impression on my daughter as well.

I guess it has....she asked me when she can start voting. I told her when she turned 18 years old.

We left hand in hand, but not before buying $10 worth of baked goods and coffee.

The weekend getaway sans childrens

We were only gone for less than 24 hours, but what a difference it made! We dropped the kids off at our friend's house, and took the metro into D.C.

My husband takes the metro every day to work, but for some reason, he was positively giddy taking the metro a mere 8 stops away from home (and don't think that I didn't take advantage of his good mood, but more on this later).

We ran to the hotel, and dropped off our bag, and had lunch at Lebanese Taverna. The weather was gorgeous, and we ended up staying at the restaurant for two hours.

TWO HOURS! Normally, we'd speed eat to get out of a restaurant quickly due to the kids.

After lunch, we walked from Woodley Park all the way past Farragut North. I know it's probably not that long of a walk (30 minutes), but we'd never get past two blocks with the kids.

Before the kids, when we were just dating/newly married, we'd go to Dupont Circle alot. "Kramer's Bookstore" was our haunt, and we were pretty nostalgic walking into the store. Granted, it's not a mega store like "Borders" or "Barnes and Noble," but I have a soft spot for the non-chain book stores. They're more intimate, and most times I can find books that are not to be found at the chain stores.

Every corner of D.C. is gearing up for the election (and if you read this before November 4th....Rock the Vote tomorrow people!). We saw tons of Obama t-shirts and buttons, but strangely no McCain stuff....hmmm....

Going back to the husband's generous mood. We passed both Ann Taylor and Filene's Basement, and he encouraged me to go in both shops. I left with a new purse, dress, and sweater. Come to think of it, why didn't I drop more money on clothes? He got off cheap.

We decided to scrap the movies. There was nothing playing at the theaters that we had to see. I thought the new Bond movie was coming out this weekend, but it's next weekend.

So, what do we do? We ended up watching "Hell Boy 2" in our room. I got to pick out new clothes, he gets to pick out the movie...it's only fair. Still, $15 for on-demand! Geez...

By 11pm we realized that we totally forgot about dinner. We ended up going to "Open City" and then taking a long walk around town. We didn't get back to our room until 3am.

We seriously didn't want the night to end. I love my kids, but sometimes, well...most of the time...we are in "mommy and daddy mode", and you'd tend to forget that you are a couple and friends. This past weekend, it was nice to just focus on us for a little bit.

Did we miss the kids though? You bet.

Catching up with the Hu's

Goodness, it's been awhile since I posted. And since I have an audience of maybe five.....you must all be waiting with bated breath!

The J.O.B. is okay. Work is completely overrated, and I already have mommy guilt. I haven't been volunteering nearly as much as I use to at their school, and it's hard to get home from work (totally exhausted most days, because...well now I have to actually use my brain) and have to help the kids with their homework, after school activities (swimming and gymnastics...who was the genius that scheduled that...oh, it was me.), and Chinese homework. Most nights I'm so tired, and fall asleep around 9:30pm.

But who do you think is getting the short end of the stick? The husband. I put so much effort trying to make sure that the kids are getting adjusted to me going back to work, that I forget it's a bit of a strain for PaPa Hu. I barely have the energy to talk to him at the end of the day.

So....since he still doesn't know that this blog exists....it's safe to share that I'm going to whisk him away for a weekend of fun in two weeks in D.C. (I know...lame right? We're basically staying in the same town, but at least it's in the "city.").

Our friends are going to watch the little Hu's, and I booked a room at the Mandarin Oriental hotel in D.C. (which is oddly enough located right next door to his office....on second thought...maybe the Mandarin Oriental isn't such a great idea).

I have already booked reservations for his very favorite restaurant, and figured we can go see the new James Bond movie that night (a win-win for the both of us. He gets to watch his action flick, and I can watch the hotness that is Daniel Craig).

Of course, with all this planning...how much do you want to bet that one of the little Hu's will get sick, and I'll have to cancel everything?

"But I don't like Chinese Food."

This weekend was a "cooking free" weekend for Momma Hu. We spent so much of our weekend outside, and I was honestly too tired to lift a wok...just kidding my Asian friends!

On satuday, we were in Bethesda all afternoon. Bethesda has a plethora of restaurants. Seriously, you can find any kind of cuisine in that area. Mexican, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Spanish, Americana, etc....So, we are walking from restaurant to restaurant and getting vetoes from the kids. "How about pizza?" No..."What about Mexican?" No...."Okay Chinese?" "But I don't like Chinese food." What? Seriously dudes....you ARE Chinese!

We continued on to "La Madeleine." My eldest liked none of the soups (which we all tried in their tiny little tasting cups). I swear, the restaurant worker could have killed us with her eyes as we walked out of the restaurant.

And we're off to "Chipotle." Again, nothing the kids wanted to eat! I was so desperate at this point for food, and the husband was just plain tired. So, what do we do? We head home for leftovers.

Ironically, yesterday after leaving Chinese school....we went to eat Chinese food...which the kids ate!

Getting a big girl's job....

I think I'm going to finally do it. I'm going to get a big girl's job. It's been over six years since I've been in the corporate environment, and honestly...I didn't love it, but I miss having the income.

I have a very dear friend who has offered me a very generous and flexible job, and I'd be crazy not to take it. It's only for 20 hours/week, and I should be done just in time to pick the kids up from school.

So, my carefree days of a woman of leisure is coming to an end. I'm going to miss having my mornings free to volunteer, and doing various errands, but it'll be a nice change. I think....

Racial Teasing is never okay.

I'm so mad right now, and probably need to just vent. So, if you want to bypass this post, by all means....

Both my children are in the Chinese Immersion Program in their elementary school. Half of the day is taught in Chinese, and the other half in English. This is a very good school, and I feel that there is a huge cultural make-up which is an asset. I grew up in a very small town, and went to private school. I was one of the only two minorities in my whole entire high school. So, I really wanted my kids to go to a diverse school, and live in a diverse community. I think for the majority of the time, we do.

Well, tonight, during dinner, my son mentioned that a little boy in his class keeps teasing him at lunchtime. I asked him what he did. My son said that he's speaking to me in a funny way. I asked him what did it sound like..."well, he sounded like he's trying to speak Chinese, but he's not."

The irony? My son doesn't speak a lick of Chinese, and this boy is in the Chinese Immersion Program. I would like to think that this kid is so prolific in Chinese that my son just doesn't understand him. Coincidentally, I volunteered in the classroom today, and this kid was out of control. He wouldn't sit to do his work, and talked back to the teacher. So, I'm guessing this kid does not speak Chinese fluently, but just a bad egg.

My question is...do I speak up to the teacher or ride it out and see if it improves? I'm very touchy about this, because I was teased alot in school, and gave me all sorts of self-esteem problems. My parents pretty much told me to suck it up, but I don't think that my son has to deal with this. At the same time, I don't want to step in all the time, and seem like an overbearing mom.

I've never had to deal with this with my daughter or at our previous school. I also want my kids to be proud of their heritage and not be embarrassed that we are Asian. It just broke my heart when my son said that he wishes he was Caucasian. Can you believe that? I better stop or I will never stop typing....

90210 has got nothing on 21401

I've just recently joined Facebook...yes...I know that I was born before 1980! But it's been a really great way of hooking up with old high school friends.

So much so that a few of us decided to meet in our home town of Annapolis, MD last night.. Granted, some of us didn't stray far from Annapolis...but there were a few who moved to Puerto Rico, Delaware (again..I know not that far), and South Africa. It just worked out that all of us were in town at the same time.

The hubby and I were going to make a weekend out of it....had a friend willing to take the kids over night, and booked a hotel in Annpolis....but what happens? The son gets a fever!

I ended up driving to Annapolis (sans husband) with my friend from Puerto Rico, and she spent the night with me at the hotel. So much for that romantic weekend, eh D?

It was nice to see so many old friends, and actually stay out beyond 10pm. In fact, we left the bar around 2am, and since my friend and I were sharing the hotel room...we stayed up til 4am gossiping. Ah...high school.....

Saint Mary's Class of 1991

Kindergarten is fun! At least for now....

My how a week can change things! My son is now exclaiming how wonderful kindergarten is. He found the one friend that has changed everything.

He's known little "E" for two years, but has never really paid that much attention to her....until now. Last week when he was having one of his many breakdowns (he cried every day like clockwork...after recess last week), she gave him a hug and handed him a tissue. Thus starts the love-fest.

I also noticed that they sat next to each other during circle time (yes, I'm the nosy mom that peaked in the window).

I'm just thrilled that he feels more comfortable, because...I have to tell you...I was sweating bullets over this past week with worry.

It really goes to show how life can be much easier if you just had that one friend....