Ever wonder how "good it must feel" when healthy (when you're sick)? Myself, I never really celebrate being healthy, and so when I am sick, I often contemplate how NICE it would be to not be sick. I am currently thinking this. Yes, I am not well. Ugh.
We are all not well actually. This past weekend, my entire family got sick and we are still slowly recovering. Thankfully, it has been really dreary and drizzly. I say 'thankfully' because normally this type of weather is associated with slightly warmer temps. And I for one would take a bit of wetness over freezing cold conditions any day. But I must admit the umbrella-wrestling between getting in and out of the car and a place of refuge (from the elements) is getting old.
Kelly is 35 weeks now! (and one day). That is one more day than Ethan was able to do. :-) I wonder if Kelly will make it to her baby shower (Friday Jan 02, '09) at work or if baby girl will come early. How much more for due date of Jan 14th. I hope everything will be ok.
Baby room plans have hit an all time lull. We've bought furniture that needs assembling, but a large dresser needs to come out first (and moved downstairs). It has been slow going to say the least, but perhaps this weekend I can snap my magic fingers and everything will fall in place perfectly! Yes, that is what will happen.
Hmmm.. what to eat for dinner? The past two nights we've had some kind of 10-minute meals (that is preparation time) and both have been surprisingly good! First night was some asian noodle with beef strips, and last night was "Berrrtoli" (like the commercials you know?) pasta rotini (?) stuffed with spinach and cheese and in a creamy tomatoey sauce. Mmmmmmm-mmm! Darn right!
I hope my sister and family are making their way safely to Orlando. We were not able to meet up due to us being sick and I didn't want my nieces to catch anything (they are on vacation after all). Hope to see you guys soon!
Yup, all of that is going on in my mind. Right now.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Atlanta Baha'i Regional Conference: By The Numbers
4,000+ - number of conference attendees
357 - number of miles driven over the two-day conference
20 - number of B-clusters soon to be A-clusters by Ridvan 2009
5 - number of Core Activities I have personally pledged to do/assist with
1 - my first time on MARTA (Metro Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) -- train
0 - number of pictures taken with my camera :-(
The conference was uplifting and encouraging. It was great to see so many old and new friends together under one "roof".
357 - number of miles driven over the two-day conference
20 - number of B-clusters soon to be A-clusters by Ridvan 2009
5 - number of Core Activities I have personally pledged to do/assist with
1 - my first time on MARTA (Metro Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) -- train
0 - number of pictures taken with my camera :-(
The conference was uplifting and encouraging. It was great to see so many old and new friends together under one "roof".
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Durham Thanksgiving
It had been about a year and half since we last were in Durham. A trip back "home" to visit old friends was being talked about for months, and we finally made good on this plan.
For the U.S. Thanksgiving long weekend we took to the road to Tobacco Road. It was so good to be back in Durham (NC). With so many memories in this city - our first home, wedding, Ethan's birth, Kelly's residency at Duke (to name a few) - being back felt more like home than our current place of residence.
We left on Wednesday night (11/26) and split the road trip in two, staying overnight in Asheville, NC before continuing the next morning to Durham. The entire trip takes about 6 1/2 - 7 hours, which we felt would be too much for Ethan if driven continously.
Jessica offered her place for us to stay, even though she would be out of town visiting her family for Turkey Day in Baton Rouge, LA. Jessica would come back Friday evening and we spent all of Saturday together, which was great fun.
The average American consumes about 4,030 calories on Thanksgiving Day. I certainly managed that, if not the first evening, most definitely after the second, as we were treated to two Thanksgiving dinners! On Thursday we were hosted by the Kugler family (Eileen, Gary, and sons Jason and Jeff). Dinner was traditional - turkey, mashed potatoes, brussel sprouts, stuffing, cranberry sauce, gravy. On Friday, we were at the Mostaghimis residence for a Persian-American fusion dinner combining favorites such as khoresh-e-bademjan (persian eggplant stew dish) and oven-roasted turkey, and tadik (crispy persian rice) with sweet potatoes. Yuuuuuuuuuum! For the record I had seconds both evenings. Heaven! Oh did I mention there was shohlezard (persian yellow rice pudding)... darn, I want some right now.
Saturday with Jessica included breakfast at home (bacon and egg McJessica muffins, pancakes, Earl Grey, left-over shohlezard). We then went to the science museum, butterfly conservatory and insectarium where Ethan had a lot of fun roaming around and exploring. We were not alone, as it seemed every family in the area thought it was a good Saturday-after-Thanksgiving thing to do to take the kids to the science museum. We had to park across the street it was so packed.
Saturday evening we dined at Merlion. We ate Char Kway Teoh (Singaporean noodle dish), ginger beef, a tofu dish and honey glazed prawns. After Ethan was put to bed, Kelly, Jessica and I ended up talking until 2am, bringing back fond memories of our time at Duke/Durham.
But sadly our trip had to come to an end eventually. On Sunday, again Jessica made us some egg and bacon breakfast muffins. Kelly, Ethan and I went to the Baha'i Center while Jessica went to her church for Sunday service. The program at the Baha'i Center in Durham was on the topic of marriage and chastity. The discussions were lively, and the selected readings very thought provoking -- I know several friends of mine that would benefit from these Baha'i writings.
Some usual suspects were at the Center - Catherine Davis, Dilsey, Angelica, Parvaneh, Anyema and Sherlock, Shegund, Ayla, Lee Moavenzadeh, Daria, etc.. It was nice to see everyone, and so comforting to be the in the company of our former community members. Several other friends we knew ahead of time would be away this weekend which was a pity - including (but not limited to) Amani, Elyse, Nahal and others.
Lunch was had back at Jessica's (left-over Merlion food, left-over Thanksgiving meals Persian-Chinese-American fusion, and STILL left-over shohlezard :-D). Our truck fully loaded (with recent purchases for the baby's arrival) and Ethan showing signs of napping, we took to the long road back home, under pouring conditions, making our way, slowly, back to Blue Ridge.
10 pm Sunday evening, and a truck full of things to unload, we were "home" at last. A very worthwhile trip.
For the U.S. Thanksgiving long weekend we took to the road to Tobacco Road. It was so good to be back in Durham (NC). With so many memories in this city - our first home, wedding, Ethan's birth, Kelly's residency at Duke (to name a few) - being back felt more like home than our current place of residence.
We left on Wednesday night (11/26) and split the road trip in two, staying overnight in Asheville, NC before continuing the next morning to Durham. The entire trip takes about 6 1/2 - 7 hours, which we felt would be too much for Ethan if driven continously.
Jessica offered her place for us to stay, even though she would be out of town visiting her family for Turkey Day in Baton Rouge, LA. Jessica would come back Friday evening and we spent all of Saturday together, which was great fun.
The average American consumes about 4,030 calories on Thanksgiving Day. I certainly managed that, if not the first evening, most definitely after the second, as we were treated to two Thanksgiving dinners! On Thursday we were hosted by the Kugler family (Eileen, Gary, and sons Jason and Jeff). Dinner was traditional - turkey, mashed potatoes, brussel sprouts, stuffing, cranberry sauce, gravy. On Friday, we were at the Mostaghimis residence for a Persian-American fusion dinner combining favorites such as khoresh-e-bademjan (persian eggplant stew dish) and oven-roasted turkey, and tadik (crispy persian rice) with sweet potatoes. Yuuuuuuuuuum! For the record I had seconds both evenings. Heaven! Oh did I mention there was shohlezard (persian yellow rice pudding)... darn, I want some right now.
Saturday with Jessica included breakfast at home (bacon and egg McJessica muffins, pancakes, Earl Grey, left-over shohlezard). We then went to the science museum, butterfly conservatory and insectarium where Ethan had a lot of fun roaming around and exploring. We were not alone, as it seemed every family in the area thought it was a good Saturday-after-Thanksgiving thing to do to take the kids to the science museum. We had to park across the street it was so packed.
Saturday evening we dined at Merlion. We ate Char Kway Teoh (Singaporean noodle dish), ginger beef, a tofu dish and honey glazed prawns. After Ethan was put to bed, Kelly, Jessica and I ended up talking until 2am, bringing back fond memories of our time at Duke/Durham.
But sadly our trip had to come to an end eventually. On Sunday, again Jessica made us some egg and bacon breakfast muffins. Kelly, Ethan and I went to the Baha'i Center while Jessica went to her church for Sunday service. The program at the Baha'i Center in Durham was on the topic of marriage and chastity. The discussions were lively, and the selected readings very thought provoking -- I know several friends of mine that would benefit from these Baha'i writings.
Some usual suspects were at the Center - Catherine Davis, Dilsey, Angelica, Parvaneh, Anyema and Sherlock, Shegund, Ayla, Lee Moavenzadeh, Daria, etc.. It was nice to see everyone, and so comforting to be the in the company of our former community members. Several other friends we knew ahead of time would be away this weekend which was a pity - including (but not limited to) Amani, Elyse, Nahal and others.
Lunch was had back at Jessica's (left-over Merlion food, left-over Thanksgiving meals Persian-Chinese-American fusion, and STILL left-over shohlezard :-D). Our truck fully loaded (with recent purchases for the baby's arrival) and Ethan showing signs of napping, we took to the long road back home, under pouring conditions, making our way, slowly, back to Blue Ridge.
10 pm Sunday evening, and a truck full of things to unload, we were "home" at last. A very worthwhile trip.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
4-Year Anniversary
Kelly and I celebrated our 4-year wedding anniversary on Friday 11/21 with dinner at Longhorns. Ethan was such a handful, so dinner was cut short, which was a shame. But food was good :-)
Monday, November 17, 2008
When Quiet Is O.K.
I rarely visit my own blog, let alone write an entry these days. And when I do make the infrequent presence to my blog it is usually to see if any comments need moderating/accepting and to read up on some of my friends' blogs. Often the case, my motivation to write comes from seeing some of my friends write -- so I encourage you all to keep up with your blogs, lest my own come to a screeching halt for good.
Well, the past few weeks have been hugely trying. Nothing that blog etiquette/management would allow me to divulge however. Sufficeth to say, life's many dramas are over-rated. And the once dreaded silence of normalcy and isolation I now invite with eager appreciation any day.
Yes, we were hoping dear friends of ours would be visiting this past weekend. In fact, it had been a trip planned for well over one year believe it or not. And still, it was not meant to be, for last minute decisions prevented such from finally taking place, and we must now be content with a hopeful reunion in the spring.
If it happens, it happens. Yes, our disappointments we wore on our sleeves. And, yes, the thought of being with our lonesomes was worrying. But unsuspecting to me, this weekend was rather above average and quite satisfying.
We spent most of our time this weekend at home. No surprise there. It was cloudy and gloomy and wet outside, with the temperature hovering in the low 40s for the daytime and below freezing overnight. It is definitely wintery, making the indoor environment all the more inviting.
Kelly cooked this pork roll dish that she learned (how to make) from her mom not long ago. We did laundry. Ethan is doing fantastic with potty training now. He knows all his ABC's and is in fact "advancing" to the older class come December 5th! (not our insistance, but the preschool's director's suggestion to move Ethan up). All this means is that Ethan will be with 3 and 4 and 5-year-olds, instead of 2 and 3 year olds only. He is currently 2 years and 2 months old.
Kelly has never had an easy time with pregnancy. It was the same when she was carrying Ethan. Still, the past 3 or 4 days have been surprisingly uneventful. Could this be the end of nauseous feelings? Kelly is nearly 31 weeks, and so it is long "overdue" if this is the case. But I am not counting on it. I have always said that Kelly would have pregnancy-related sickness for the entire duration of her pregnancy. We are just thankful we get few-day-stretches like these where everything is just quiet.
Well, the past few weeks have been hugely trying. Nothing that blog etiquette/management would allow me to divulge however. Sufficeth to say, life's many dramas are over-rated. And the once dreaded silence of normalcy and isolation I now invite with eager appreciation any day.
Yes, we were hoping dear friends of ours would be visiting this past weekend. In fact, it had been a trip planned for well over one year believe it or not. And still, it was not meant to be, for last minute decisions prevented such from finally taking place, and we must now be content with a hopeful reunion in the spring.
If it happens, it happens. Yes, our disappointments we wore on our sleeves. And, yes, the thought of being with our lonesomes was worrying. But unsuspecting to me, this weekend was rather above average and quite satisfying.
We spent most of our time this weekend at home. No surprise there. It was cloudy and gloomy and wet outside, with the temperature hovering in the low 40s for the daytime and below freezing overnight. It is definitely wintery, making the indoor environment all the more inviting.
Kelly cooked this pork roll dish that she learned (how to make) from her mom not long ago. We did laundry. Ethan is doing fantastic with potty training now. He knows all his ABC's and is in fact "advancing" to the older class come December 5th! (not our insistance, but the preschool's director's suggestion to move Ethan up). All this means is that Ethan will be with 3 and 4 and 5-year-olds, instead of 2 and 3 year olds only. He is currently 2 years and 2 months old.
Kelly has never had an easy time with pregnancy. It was the same when she was carrying Ethan. Still, the past 3 or 4 days have been surprisingly uneventful. Could this be the end of nauseous feelings? Kelly is nearly 31 weeks, and so it is long "overdue" if this is the case. But I am not counting on it. I have always said that Kelly would have pregnancy-related sickness for the entire duration of her pregnancy. We are just thankful we get few-day-stretches like these where everything is just quiet.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Times Passing
I clearly do not have the time to keep up with this blog anymore. Sorry to all who still manage to check in on me from time to time .. only to see the same last entry for weeks at a time.
Part of my hesitation to write is due to the fact that I can no longer post any pictures on this blog (I have exceeded the allowable quota for memory) and so without some pictures, it really takes away from the journalistic or "publication" enterprise that I felt when I first decided to start my own blog.
So anyways, A LOT has happened since last entry. Not all recountable. I turned 30. Yay! Always fun getting older. Ethan turned 2! We had a party for him, and he was aware of things like "birthday cake" and "blowing the candle" -- still needed help on blowing his candle tho.
Mom and dad have been with us the past couple of weeks and are in fact going back to Canada this Saturday. They will surely be missed. It has been wonderful having them with us to celebrate Ethan's, mine, Dad's (and Babak's) birthday.
Dad has been so very busy working on a deck downstairs. The deck looks amazing (if only I could post pictures -- though I fully intend to post some on Facebook and perhaps link to this blog). I feel badly just how hard my dad has worked, but to be honest much of the work was self-inflicted, since my dad has many great ideas, or sees a deficiency that needs fixing or addressing quickly, and so the project has grown.
I can't wait until it (the deck) is stained and some screening has been put in place.
Kelly is 23 weeks into her pregnancy, and still feeling nauseous. Surely a record. Though I have a feeling for some weeks to come, if not the entire pregnancy, Kelly will not be feeling all that well. Sorry, Honey!!
And of course I just realized our pregnancy was never officially announced on this blog!!! Apologies to those who have not yet heard. I posted an announcement on Facebook several weeks ago. We are expecting a baby girl in January (14th is the due date).
Any suggestions for names?
Certainly by the time our daughter is born, I will have a new blog set up for the next phase and adventures of our family.
Part of my hesitation to write is due to the fact that I can no longer post any pictures on this blog (I have exceeded the allowable quota for memory) and so without some pictures, it really takes away from the journalistic or "publication" enterprise that I felt when I first decided to start my own blog.
So anyways, A LOT has happened since last entry. Not all recountable. I turned 30. Yay! Always fun getting older. Ethan turned 2! We had a party for him, and he was aware of things like "birthday cake" and "blowing the candle" -- still needed help on blowing his candle tho.
Mom and dad have been with us the past couple of weeks and are in fact going back to Canada this Saturday. They will surely be missed. It has been wonderful having them with us to celebrate Ethan's, mine, Dad's (and Babak's) birthday.
Dad has been so very busy working on a deck downstairs. The deck looks amazing (if only I could post pictures -- though I fully intend to post some on Facebook and perhaps link to this blog). I feel badly just how hard my dad has worked, but to be honest much of the work was self-inflicted, since my dad has many great ideas, or sees a deficiency that needs fixing or addressing quickly, and so the project has grown.
I can't wait until it (the deck) is stained and some screening has been put in place.
Kelly is 23 weeks into her pregnancy, and still feeling nauseous. Surely a record. Though I have a feeling for some weeks to come, if not the entire pregnancy, Kelly will not be feeling all that well. Sorry, Honey!!
And of course I just realized our pregnancy was never officially announced on this blog!!! Apologies to those who have not yet heard. I posted an announcement on Facebook several weeks ago. We are expecting a baby girl in January (14th is the due date).
Any suggestions for names?
Certainly by the time our daughter is born, I will have a new blog set up for the next phase and adventures of our family.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Elmo White Eyes
Ethan is slowly starting to put together three word sentences. This morning, he pointed to his plush Elmo's (nearly the same size as he is) eyes and said, "Elmo, white, eyes".
My little Noomsie is growing up. He still blabbers his own speach most of the time that no one understands. But every now and then, you get the feeling he is answering you with real words.
Ethan is getting better at counting from one to ten. He still hesitates to say "seven" and skips to eight, but I think more to tease me than anything. Right, Ethan? "seh-VEEN"
My little angel Noomsie.
My little Noomsie is growing up. He still blabbers his own speach most of the time that no one understands. But every now and then, you get the feeling he is answering you with real words.
Ethan is getting better at counting from one to ten. He still hesitates to say "seven" and skips to eight, but I think more to tease me than anything. Right, Ethan? "seh-VEEN"
My little angel Noomsie.
Exam Time Again
Kelly should be a few hours away from completing her Internal Medicine boards exam which started this morning. Good luck, Honey. I hope you packed enough for lunch and snacks. I am praying and thinking of you.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Ushering In The 30's
Kelly turns 30 today! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Honey!!
Perhaps now Kelly will find comfort in answering the same question her many patients ask her: "How old are you anyways? [You seem too young to be a DOCTOR]", by replying: "Well, as a matter of fact, I am in my THIRTIES."
Congratulations, Honey. You know I am so very proud of you, and make it my personal duty to brag about you as much as I can on my blog. :-P
For Kelly's birthday, this morning, I bought a Chinese money plant in a nice white ceramic pot, with itty bitty black stones on the surface of the soil, and a band of bamboo around the pot (very asian looking plant/pot) to keep in her office. Dinner tonight will be at a local Italian restaurant called Cusina Rustica. This restaurant is family owned and operated, and in fact, it litterally feels (or is?) a part (extension) of the owner's home. Their hours of operation is only from 5-9pm and they have seating for about 20 people (or at least it seems this small/quaint the last time we were there).
Tomorrow will be the Tidman's annual summer Lake House party. It is expected to rain with scattered thunder storms starting at around noon. Still, I hope to pop in for a visit, and perhaps in the afternoon the family will go down to Atlanta for some shopping for Kelly, and activities for Ethan (Children's Museum, Aquarium, etc.. to which we have annual family passes that we rarely use).
Looking forward to soon join you in this decade milestone, Honey. (My 30th comes but a couple months later on September 23rd).
Perhaps now Kelly will find comfort in answering the same question her many patients ask her: "How old are you anyways? [You seem too young to be a DOCTOR]", by replying: "Well, as a matter of fact, I am in my THIRTIES."
Congratulations, Honey. You know I am so very proud of you, and make it my personal duty to brag about you as much as I can on my blog. :-P
For Kelly's birthday, this morning, I bought a Chinese money plant in a nice white ceramic pot, with itty bitty black stones on the surface of the soil, and a band of bamboo around the pot (very asian looking plant/pot) to keep in her office. Dinner tonight will be at a local Italian restaurant called Cusina Rustica. This restaurant is family owned and operated, and in fact, it litterally feels (or is?) a part (extension) of the owner's home. Their hours of operation is only from 5-9pm and they have seating for about 20 people (or at least it seems this small/quaint the last time we were there).
Tomorrow will be the Tidman's annual summer Lake House party. It is expected to rain with scattered thunder storms starting at around noon. Still, I hope to pop in for a visit, and perhaps in the afternoon the family will go down to Atlanta for some shopping for Kelly, and activities for Ethan (Children's Museum, Aquarium, etc.. to which we have annual family passes that we rarely use).
Looking forward to soon join you in this decade milestone, Honey. (My 30th comes but a couple months later on September 23rd).
Thursday, July 24, 2008
One Year In Blue Ridge
We have now been residents of Blue Ridge, GA for an entire year! In fact, July 16, the one year anniversary of our moving day, came and gone as uneventful as ever. Gosh, it really has not felt like a year. Looking back on this past year, it has certainly been a year of learning, and a lot of drama, mistakes, and a few friendships. Woo hoo, looking forward to the next year! Yee-Haw!! Though I joke, and in all seriously, it is a miracle we have not been lost in all the craziness. So many things to be grateful for indeed ...
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Ethan Is 22 Months
Ethan turned 22 months this past week, and his mama turns 30 years on Friday. [sorry no pic as apparently I have reached my allowable limit for loading photos on this blog ... time to start another one?]
Ethan's speech is developing more and more each day, although for the most part we still cannot understand what he is saying. He can now put two words together with his more favorite sayings being "all gone" and "my car". His most favorite thing in the world right now? Cars. Every waking moment is "kah", "kah" - like a British person not pronouncing the letter "r".
He runs faster, and is starting to test his jumping abilities.
He can identify certain letters of the alphabet like "O" and "U" and "Q", among others. He can also count to ten. Well, sort of. He "skips" four and quickly says "five", does the same with seven for eight, but otherwise says the other eight numbers.
He weighs 24 pounds and his eating habits are still hit or miss. Oh well. What can you do?
Ethan's speech is developing more and more each day, although for the most part we still cannot understand what he is saying. He can now put two words together with his more favorite sayings being "all gone" and "my car". His most favorite thing in the world right now? Cars. Every waking moment is "kah", "kah" - like a British person not pronouncing the letter "r".
He runs faster, and is starting to test his jumping abilities.
He can identify certain letters of the alphabet like "O" and "U" and "Q", among others. He can also count to ten. Well, sort of. He "skips" four and quickly says "five", does the same with seven for eight, but otherwise says the other eight numbers.
He weighs 24 pounds and his eating habits are still hit or miss. Oh well. What can you do?
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
2,044!!!
I just posted a short video of my garden on YouTube and couldn't help but go back to my older video uploads of Ethan. One video, titled "Allah'u'Abha" has received 2,044 views! Hahaha .. I seldom check up on my videos to see if people are viewing them, since I only really post them on YouTube to then get the HTML code to embed the video on this blog. 2,044!!! In case we all forgot what this video looked like, I post it again here :-P
Mwah! (kiss) My noomsie.
Mwah! (kiss) My noomsie.
Georgia Garden 2008
[Debra H (back) and Deborah A (front), my two research study coordinators, assisting me with planting several baby plants one Friday early evening after work in May]
Spring in Georgia has meant a new season for gardening - my first in the Peach State. Experimenting with new perennial flowering plants, and having received several donated plants from my co-workers (everyone does gardening!) I have created this garden in the front of our house, that still needs a lot of work, but is growing like crazy. One thing that is certain is that EVERYTHING seems to grow to incredible sizes here in Blue Ridge - weeds and all. Hopefully this rings true with the plants I have carefully planted.
I planted Angel Trumpets, Gerber Daisies, Echinacea (and double-Echinacea), Carolina Jasmine, Cannas, Elephant Ears, Hibiscus, Ginger, and more. Having been known to get right to the planting and little with the planning (of where to place plants), I am not sure how the final blooming garden will look like.
But anyways, I include here a picture in the month of May when I first started clearing the garden bed and sought the help of two co-workers to help me plant some 200 baby plants and ornamental grasses. Also included (below) is a short clip of what the garden looks like, as of yesterday, a couple months after the garden was started. Some have grown rather quickly (Angel Trumpets, Bee Balm, etc..) while others are slower to develop and bloom (Echinacea, Ginger - not shown, etc..).
Will post updates probably towards end of this month or mid August and again towards the middle/end of summer in early September.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Long Journey, But Now Back Home
Who knew it would take 24 hours from the doorstep of my cousin's home in Coquitlam, BC to ours in Blue Ridge, GA. We arrived at the airport in Vancouver with just under three hours before our flight, anticipating that my usual interview with immigration would keep me for a while and we may miss our flight (as has happened to me in Toronto one other occasion). Instead, there was no U.S. customs and immigration to go through at the airport, and no place to do my "special registration" notification.
Waiting for our flight, instead, I was thinking of the missed opportunity to attend Carlie and Barry's wedding dinner celebrations at SFU. Even without having my interview at the airport it would have been a task to attend dinner, drive back to my cousin's house, get changed out of our formal attire, then drive to the airport. Witnessing their wedding ceremony, including a touching moment when Carlie fought back tears when reciting her vows to Barry (and Barry responding by pretending to wipe his brow with relief that Carlie got through it all) is something I am honored to have been present for, and I wish them both the best. (still, would have been nice to have made the dinner too... darn!)
Our flight from Vancouver was rough at times. We flew through numerous thunder storms in the upper midwest of the U.S. before arriving a few minutes late at the airport in Chicago. Knowing instead that I had an interview with US customs and border protection in my port of entry at the US meant rushing. We were greeted by a rude (woman) officer. No surprise really, is there? I've done this so long now it hardly phased me really. She escorted me especially to the place where I would have to report and prove my identity (which I am already in the "system" and have been for years). Quick and out, off to claim baggage and see if we can miraculously catch our connecting flight to Atlanta.
No such luck. Several minutes too late, our connecting flight had left, and we were booked into the next flight to ATL -- a 7 hour layover at the Chicago O'Hare airport. We ate. Slept. Ran after Noomsie. Ate some more. Slept some more. All the while building that "freshness" that comes from not eating or sleeping all that well and not showering, though sweating, exerting, rushing, that is traveling.
A ha! At last we made it to Atlanta. Hotlanta did not disappoint - 97 degrees and nearly 5PM. Downtown was a parking lot with traffic barely moving due to construction that reduced a 6 lane interstate into a single lane. No, 7 hour delay at an airport truly is not test enough. But whatever. We were a mere 2 hour plus drive away from our home sweet home in the Blue Ridge mountains.
We arrived about an hour ago making our journey about an entire day. Smile :-D
Now showered and clean, and our house so fragrant from all the wood scents, no greater pleasure is there, surely, than my head now touching my soft, soft pillow.
Waiting for our flight, instead, I was thinking of the missed opportunity to attend Carlie and Barry's wedding dinner celebrations at SFU. Even without having my interview at the airport it would have been a task to attend dinner, drive back to my cousin's house, get changed out of our formal attire, then drive to the airport. Witnessing their wedding ceremony, including a touching moment when Carlie fought back tears when reciting her vows to Barry (and Barry responding by pretending to wipe his brow with relief that Carlie got through it all) is something I am honored to have been present for, and I wish them both the best. (still, would have been nice to have made the dinner too... darn!)
Our flight from Vancouver was rough at times. We flew through numerous thunder storms in the upper midwest of the U.S. before arriving a few minutes late at the airport in Chicago. Knowing instead that I had an interview with US customs and border protection in my port of entry at the US meant rushing. We were greeted by a rude (woman) officer. No surprise really, is there? I've done this so long now it hardly phased me really. She escorted me especially to the place where I would have to report and prove my identity (which I am already in the "system" and have been for years). Quick and out, off to claim baggage and see if we can miraculously catch our connecting flight to Atlanta.
No such luck. Several minutes too late, our connecting flight had left, and we were booked into the next flight to ATL -- a 7 hour layover at the Chicago O'Hare airport. We ate. Slept. Ran after Noomsie. Ate some more. Slept some more. All the while building that "freshness" that comes from not eating or sleeping all that well and not showering, though sweating, exerting, rushing, that is traveling.
A ha! At last we made it to Atlanta. Hotlanta did not disappoint - 97 degrees and nearly 5PM. Downtown was a parking lot with traffic barely moving due to construction that reduced a 6 lane interstate into a single lane. No, 7 hour delay at an airport truly is not test enough. But whatever. We were a mere 2 hour plus drive away from our home sweet home in the Blue Ridge mountains.
We arrived about an hour ago making our journey about an entire day. Smile :-D
Now showered and clean, and our house so fragrant from all the wood scents, no greater pleasure is there, surely, than my head now touching my soft, soft pillow.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Congratulations Carlie & Barry!!
Carlie and Barry's wedding, July 11, 2008 in Port Coquitlam, BC.
MANY CONGRATULATIONS to you both!
More to write soon.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Back "Home"
I have to write. An entire month has elapsed since my last entry. Several friends of mine met Ethan for the first time have said how they love following his development through my blog. Ahem, hence my renewed efforts in trying to write more regularly again.
I am writing (typing) sitting here in my aunt's and uncle's home in Coquitlam, BC.
Our trip has been pleasant, and I have seen many of my old friends, and driven through many of my childhood neighborhoods and places I frequented in my youth.
BC is a gem of a place. Lush mountains. Mild climate. A multi-cultural shmorgasborg. Over the past 48 hours, for example, we ate Japanese, Thai, Persian and Mediterranean/Greek. I got my wish for a Slurpee, and attended the rehearsal dinner for my friend's wedding (which will be on Friday). I can't complain.
With all the "homely" comforts of returning to BC for this trip, still, there are many things that have changed that contribute to a feeling of "a home no more":
(1) as much as I have grown up with Asian cultures predominating in BC, the singleness, and overwhelming presence in numbers (in the airport alone) made me feel like I had just landed in Southeast Asia, as with our trip back in December to Singapore/Malaysia -- I am one for diversity, don't get me wrong, so long as there is unity. And one obvious way to display a more outward presentation of this unity would be to identify with the very nation they dwell in. Sadly, for me, a lack of "Canadiana" also means, all these strangers, can gladly keep my old home where once my roots grew deep;
(2) my parents no longer live here -- and up until this stage in my life (where I have my own family), home has always been defined by where "mom and dad" live;
(3) a once close knit group of friends, I may still have contact with all of them, but few are in contact with each other -- this point is not surprising in the least, since everyone is prone to "separation" when significant time is allowed to go on without effort made to keep contact. Life gets in the way. Marriages. Children. Professional obligations. And it is impossible to keep in contact with everyone. Nevertheless, this just shows how much friendships formed and nurtured through one's formative days can really shape the person one becomes as an adult and the long lasting influences in one's life -- and can equally define where "home" is.
With two more days remaining in our visit, I look forward to a dear friend's wedding, and to eat some more of my aunt's delicious cooking.
I will also try to convince my close friends to take on a journey to a small Japanese-style cottage in the USA's "deep south".
Monday, June 09, 2008
Kiddie Pool
The past few days have been really hot. So hot, in fact, and yielding much to my going crazy, it was better (if not safer) staying indoors.
But who wants to be cooped up at home on a weekend when there are places to go, things to be doing? By the time Sunday afternoon rolled around, and realizing that in a short, few hours we'd be back at work, we braved the 95F degree heat and headed for the swimming pool.
About 5 minutes from our home is a local park that has a pool - a large one, and a small one for kids. A small admission fee later (kids under 3 go in for free) and we were soaking in the warm water, baking under the summer sun. Sorry, no pictures.
After getting Ethan all lotioned up with sunscreen, we were well on our way to splashing around in the water and having some fun. At least given what Ethan normally does during bath time I expected this from him. But, no. Instead, Ethan was content just wading in the pool, very apprehensive about moving even a step or two away from me (or Kelly).
It wasn't long when someone recognized us. A coworker noticed Kelly and immediately joined us at the kiddie pool, and other kids followed. This only made Ethan more clingy, intently staring down anyone who dared come close to him. When a couple children left the small pool for the bigger one, the renewed or vacated space was destined for exploration.
With trepidation at first, Ethan took his first step in the water (as if learning to walk for the first time all over again). I have to say, even now, walking and running, Ethan doesn't have the greatest of balance. He's a wobbly kid, always prone to tripping over (himself). A few minutes later, Ethan was splashing! Ethan was laughing. Ethan even tried to "dunk" his head under water. Actually, it started first when Ethan tripped and his face went under water. Not really "knowing" what to do, I took my hand to his head and just pushed his face back above (water) surface. Gasp. Sputter. Whine. And a couple more of these incidents, then Ethan started getting the hang of having water up his nose and in his eyes and ears. Not until all this did he start trying to get his face under water intentionally, which later on reduced to kissing the water surface, to stopping 2 inches from the water altogether.
An hour was all we could manage, and probably for the better. Still wet with my shorts, and wrapped in a towel, we got back in to our car and drove home.
But who wants to be cooped up at home on a weekend when there are places to go, things to be doing? By the time Sunday afternoon rolled around, and realizing that in a short, few hours we'd be back at work, we braved the 95F degree heat and headed for the swimming pool.
About 5 minutes from our home is a local park that has a pool - a large one, and a small one for kids. A small admission fee later (kids under 3 go in for free) and we were soaking in the warm water, baking under the summer sun. Sorry, no pictures.
After getting Ethan all lotioned up with sunscreen, we were well on our way to splashing around in the water and having some fun. At least given what Ethan normally does during bath time I expected this from him. But, no. Instead, Ethan was content just wading in the pool, very apprehensive about moving even a step or two away from me (or Kelly).
It wasn't long when someone recognized us. A coworker noticed Kelly and immediately joined us at the kiddie pool, and other kids followed. This only made Ethan more clingy, intently staring down anyone who dared come close to him. When a couple children left the small pool for the bigger one, the renewed or vacated space was destined for exploration.
With trepidation at first, Ethan took his first step in the water (as if learning to walk for the first time all over again). I have to say, even now, walking and running, Ethan doesn't have the greatest of balance. He's a wobbly kid, always prone to tripping over (himself). A few minutes later, Ethan was splashing! Ethan was laughing. Ethan even tried to "dunk" his head under water. Actually, it started first when Ethan tripped and his face went under water. Not really "knowing" what to do, I took my hand to his head and just pushed his face back above (water) surface. Gasp. Sputter. Whine. And a couple more of these incidents, then Ethan started getting the hang of having water up his nose and in his eyes and ears. Not until all this did he start trying to get his face under water intentionally, which later on reduced to kissing the water surface, to stopping 2 inches from the water altogether.
An hour was all we could manage, and probably for the better. Still wet with my shorts, and wrapped in a towel, we got back in to our car and drove home.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
And It's All Quiet Again...
Mom, hope you had a safe and uneventful flight back home. Please call us when you get the chance. Thanks for everything. Our home is no longer in order as we expected just minutes after your absence. Or, rather, the usual "order" has been restored. But thanks anyways for everything you always seem to do and provide for us. It is very, very quiet now at home as you can imagine. Probably also because Ethan is not feeling too well, though he is the most lively of us three (Kelly not feeling too great either, and me, well, blogging away -- really what else to do?). I've read all of Ethan's favorite books to him already and his bedtime routine is looming. Our NetFlix is in ("The Holiday) so maybe we'll watch that once Ethan is put to bed - IF he gets put to bed on his own, and IF Kelly does not fall too tired or sleepy in the process.
Calling on anyone who wants to come up and visit us? I know the Lakhanis are thinking of seeing us some time in June and our BC trip in July is but 6 weeks away. Looking forward to that (though not the flight with Noomsie!) :-P
I often wonder why we put ourselves so far away from everyone. Sigh.
OK, maybe I'll try out the treadmill for once.
Calling on anyone who wants to come up and visit us? I know the Lakhanis are thinking of seeing us some time in June and our BC trip in July is but 6 weeks away. Looking forward to that (though not the flight with Noomsie!) :-P
I often wonder why we put ourselves so far away from everyone. Sigh.
OK, maybe I'll try out the treadmill for once.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
The Thrills Of Toddlerhood
Ethan turned 20 months old on May 21st. He still has only just 8 teeth with no obvious signs his molars are coming. As a result he eats very slowly and methodically and "chews" his food with great care and attention.Everything revolves around Ethan these days. With mom with us the past couple of weeks, I have been fetching Ethan from preschool after lunch to bring him home to be with grandma some afternoons. Grandma has enjoyed having Ethan around, and has done very well introducing him to new foods - like eggplant! (khoresh-e-bademjoon... yum!)
It hasn't been easy, however, the past week or so. Ever since I left for my conference in DC/Virginia, Kelly tells me Ethan has been very cranky and whiny. Ethan rarely eats unless held (unless seriously distracted with other things). When thirsty, he calls/cries/whines/points for his straw cup, gets a hold of it, and passes it off to Kelly for her to hold the cup to Ethan's mouth for him to sip. Talk about picky. Only a mom-held-beverage will do!
Sleep time is a whole other adventure. Ethan's been through sleep-training so many times now, and he is back to the beginning it seems. We have our night-time routine that consists of a bath, some playing, milk, reading books, reading prayers, brushing of teeth, and then goodnight kisses and off to bed. But lately, even as early (in the bedtime routine) as drinking his milk, or being offered his milk, Ethan now realizes he is soon reaching his "curfew" and anticipating the final few steps in his routine, he resists and cries and gets all upset.
Kelly has had to put him in his crib while staying in his room, and often falling asleep in Ethan's room (we have a futon mattress on the floor next to his crib). Usually it is Kelly who sleep trains Ethan (since I cannot stand to hear him cry) but we will wait until after mom's visit to re-sleep train, Ethan.
Just now the crying has started, as Kelly calls Noomsie for his "nay" (milk).
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