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....