10 Things: Checking In

1. Finished finals last Thursday, yay!

2. I wrote my last final paper in under two hours while working on an server related incident at work, boo!

3. JT keeps asking me, "How do you spell an?" Yeah, I don't get it either. Of course, he is the king of random these days. His favorite knock knock joke is, "Knock knock? (Who's there?) Pumpkin! (Pumpkin who?) Pumpkin in the head!" Huh?

4. Evie and I are on spring break together and so I took a few days off to do very little of anything. Took the kids to a museum and play ground today and had lunch with some of mommy bloggers I love to read. I was so not worthy, but they were awesome.

5. I bought lunch from this place. If you are ever in Oakland, ohmygodyouneedtotryittheyareSOgood.

6. I got my grades, they were both Bs. At least I tried obviously, not hard enough.

7. I need to seriously start thinking about law school since I'll be applying this fall for next fall. I want to stay local. Unfortunately the law schools that are local or relatively local are Hastings aka Univ. of California, Boalt Hall aka Berkeley, Stanford, and Santa Clara University. In other words, really hard to get into. These Bs aren't helping me any.

8. If it weren't for some amazing people and their support, my grades would have been far worse. My parents are in Vietnam, I can't even begin to thank them or speak of how much their support and almost free babysitting mean to me and this whole endeavor, but I do hope that painting their bathroom this weekend and cleaning up the house before they get back will speak a volume or two.

9. I hugged my dad for the first time in probably twenty five years when I dropped off my parents at the airport when they went on their trip. I normally just hug my mom and say, "bye dad be good"...It was...why didn't I ever do it sooner? He seemed surprised, but we had really talked on the way there, as adults about life and his worries and frustrations. I'll have to come back to this somewhere along the way but it felt so good to just give my dad a hug. He's always been one of those stereotypical hands off, laconic, stoic Asian immigrant fathers and so that hug meant SO much. The best part? He hugged me back and I got to yell at him, "quit yelling at mom dad and have fun!"

10. Another person whose support I would have failed without is my dear hubby J. I haven't hugged him today yet, but he gets one almost every day because he so deserves them. He works so hard and then helps me out when he gets home by occupying the kids for me when I have to study or work late. Sometimes he has to bathe them and put the kids to bed by himself, duties I normally do. He's not perfect with his video game and mac and cheese methods, but hey, he was a latchkey kid and a gamer who likes to wing it. Some people might think that these are things any husband and father would do in similar circumstances, but you know, it never hurts to let the people you love know that every little bit of help is appreciated.

Hope everyone is doing well. Aren't you glad it's spring?

10 Birthday Things

Dear J,

It's your birthday and oh, how do I love thee, let me count the ways...

10) I love that you're just as dorky as I am. Between my love of R2D2, your love of zombies, and our shared love of anime, science fiction, and comic books we could well be the dorkiest people on the planet. No matter what happens, we'll always have Macross my love.

9) I love that you call me every.single.day to ask me how my day is going. Dude, I'm FINE!!! You know I'll answer the phone with a "WHAT?!" or an "I'M BUSY!!" but you call anyway. A glutton for punishment, but I love hearing your voice...in hindsight.

8) You give GREAT back scratches.

7) Thou doth protest too much when I drag you places, but hey, at least you go and admit it. You know you don't mind sitting on a bench with your nose in a book while I'm shopping.

6) You are positively clueless on a great number of things (directions, cooking, childcare) but it's ok, you make me feel absolutely necessary. Which I like.

5) You bicker with me on something every.single.day. This may not seem like something to be happy about, but it's true, I'd rather bicker with you than be in a lovey dovey relationship where everything is perfect rainbows and sunsets and shit. What we have is real and I like a man with an opinion.

4) If I just mention I like something off hand, you will search the vast reaches of the internet to find it for me. Thanks babe!

3) You let me call you poopyhead, dork, idiot, dumbass/dumbbutt, crazy ass mofo, and any other assortment of names and vice versa.

2) You're my best friend. We tell each other everything and hug each other every day.

1) There is no one on this earth like you. My day is not complete if I don't hear your voice or see your face.

You, Evie, and Sweet Pea are my world, my universe, my life, my being. I love you so much. Happy Birthday Honey! Can't wait till you get home.

My "Favorite" Songs Meme

Superha tagged me a weeks ago on a meme which I’ve been meaning to respond to but 1) haven’t had the chance to and 2) I had to put some actual thought into my answer. I mean, to some people, music is just music (e.g. J) but for me, a song manipulates my emotions and takes my mind places as I recall related memories and mental associations. There really are a lot of songs that have special meaning to me and add to that the fact that I have a really eclectic taste in music including some which could be considered guilty pleasures and you can understand why this list of my top 10 favorite songs took so long to compile.

It's funny, but the majority of the music I listen to is hip hop and alterna-pop with a smattering of everything else. However, as you can see, I have an unhealthy love for depressing music and sappy slow songs. I considered picking songs I like which are more upbeat but these are some of my favorites. I can’t help it, I’m a depressed person so I can relate to a lot of depressing music, but I’m also a sappy person so I can relate to that kind of music as well. A sad sap, that’s me. I don’t actually listen to these songs all that often, but I love when I do.

Anyhoo…here it is:

Lien’s Top 10 Countdown

10) Tupac, So Many Tears
I’m a big Tupac fan and of all his songs, I like this one the most. Gangsta rap can be so full of boastful bullshit and grating misogynistic lyrics (of which Tupac himself was guilty). This song however, with its melancholy, paranoid and hopeless lyrics always struck a chord with me as a portrait of the true cost of the dark ghetto lifestyle that so many so called gangstas and rappers glorified. To think that two years after this song came out, Tupac was dead. Shot on the Las Vegas strip with no witnesses (yeah right!) :sigh: Poignant and prescient, that’s why I love this song.

9) Snow Patrol - Chasing Cars
“Would you lie with me and just forget the world?” This song reminds me of when J and I first met. I was very troubled at the time, and he helped me to forget my pain. It’s no wonder that I love him so much.

8) Eternal – Angel of Mine
Sappy, simple, and sweet. This was sort of our song. Primarily because it’s so easy for me to sing and I used to sing it to him when we were a long distance couple. These days I sometimes sing it to the Sweet Pea, minus a few lines.

7) Hikaru Utada – First Love
We played a dance version of this song at our wedding even though it’s a sad song. I’ve always loved it because I like Hikaru Utada’s voice and this song always makes me think that no matter what happens, when you love someone a part of you will always love them.

6) Jackie Cheung – Kiss Goodbye
Another slow sappy sad love song, this time in Mandarin. There’s something very comforting to me about Jackie Cheung’s voice.

5) DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince – Summertime
You can always tell when summer rolls around when this song is on the radio…regularly. Will Smith’s only good song.

4) Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman – Time to Say Goodbye
This song was WAY overused in commercials but I don’t care, I still love it. I found out very recently what the words to the song meant and to be honest, I don’t remember what the words mean. It’s just one of those songs that I love hearing for the voices alone.

3) Kermit the Frog – Rainbow Connection
Because like Kim, I’m a dreamer. I’ve sung this song to my kids at night ever since Evie was a baby. It reminds me of the happy bedtimes when I got to cuddle with my little ones before they drifted off to sleep.

2) Sarah McLachlin – Angel
Someone who used to know me quite well in college told me this song reminded him of me. It reminds me of me too.

1) The Verve Pipe – Freshmen
“When I was young I knew everything…” I was wise beyond my years I thought and everyone said I was so mature. There are so many things in my youth that I regret and this song speaks to my experience at that time on many levels. One would think that I wouldn’t want to listen to something that makes me think of guilt, pain, and sad decisions that still affect me to this day, but I do.
(I couldn’t actually find the music video for this song, but I like FF7, so it’ll have to do…)

10 Things

Two is...

1) Crying and screaming at your sister one second, then eyeing her granola bar the next and asking, ever so calmly, "Evie, I wan some." When she breaks you off a piece you say, "tank chu."
2) Not being afraid of flamin' hot cheetos.
3) Not yet fully understanding the realities of physical space considering you just got stuck behind the TV.
4) Giving mommy kisses for the heck of it rather than being heckled for them.
5) Giving your big sister a huge hug and kiss this morning (which mommy had NO camera on hand for!!) because it's your birthday and she screamed, "Happy Birthday [Sweet Pea]!"
6) Looking mommy in the eye with your lips rimmed red with hot cheeto dust and saying "hot" in two languages.
7) Not crying about it and calmly drinking your juice to take care of the spicy.
8) "Tall" and lean around the legs with the slightest hint of a little pot belly, and cheeks that are reminiscent of baby...but just a bit past that.
9) Being diabolically clever with the "toys" you find for yourself. Who would've thunk tossing a penny around would be fun. Although no, the penny does NOT belong in the DVD player.
10) Incredibly cute.

Happy Birthday Sweet Pea! It's only 10:47am, and you've only been 2 for so many hours, but mommy can tell she's in for a big year.

P.S. For those of you critical of my allowing my baby to have flamin' hot cheetos at 10 in the morning...hey, we're on vacation!

10 Things

10 Things That Happened Today

1) I woke up with a sore throat, aches, and a splitting headache.
2) A combination of Dayquil, Advil, and vitamins did NOT help.
3) Left work early because of No. 1 and No. 2.
4) Took a long nap after which the medications from No. 2 kicked in…sort of.
5) Decided this was a good time to head to the mall to get a new pair of glasses since my current pair are scratched to hell and I recently got a new perscription (proving yet again that by the time I am 35 I will be legally blind).
6) Waiting 45 minutes at the mall Lenscrafters for no service because store person 1 was too busy chit chatting with an old friend/customer instead of helping other customers and store person 2 was helping the attractive single woman while doing everything in his power to make her stay longer and longer. There were only the two people. One of these days I need to grow a spine and say, “Excuse me! A little help please.”
7) Left Lenscrafters pissed because store person 1 finally looked my way after I finally got up the nerve to ask store person 2 about having my perscription filled and she said, “It's taking longer today because we’re short handed.” I wanted to say, “My ass you're shorthanded! You spent over half an hour speaking with your friend about the state of public education and Sylvan Learning Center!”...but decided to leave after waiting for nothing instead.
8) We went out to dinner at a noodle place.
9) Sweet Pea threw up on me and we decided that we should just go home with what little dignity we’ve got in tact.
10) Evie came and gave me a hug while I was typing this, smelled my shirt and yelled…EWWWWW! J did pretty much the exact same thing and I couldn’t help but laugh. What exactly is one supposed to do with a day like this but laugh?
11) One last thing; the drugs have worn off.

Is it time for a long ass bath?? Why yes, yes it is. Ah well, the rest of the weekend can't possibly be horrible now that I've had today. Have a happy Weekend everyone!

10 Things

10 Things I Usually Do But Didn't Today

1) Read the news online.
2) Discuss with my friends and/or coworkers the details of the most important meeting of our day; lunch. (i.e. What type of cuisine, where, indoors or out, designated drivers, etc.)
3) Eat lunch (or dinner for that matter).
4) Get obsessed about something in the news and research the heck out of it.
5) Brush my teeth in the morning rather than at 4:30pm.
6) Read a bedtime story to my kids.
7) Eat something other than individually packed Nori/Kim/Seaweed during my workday.
8) Go outside.
9) Take my husband up on his offer to go see a movie I REALLY wanted to see when he offered to take me out "after work". (Here's a picture from the movie I wanted to see, two guesses WHY I wanted to see it...mm mm mmm...Gerard Gerard Gerard, if you could cook as well as your abs look, I think I might reconsider a few things about my hubby.)













=) Hmm...Oh, where was I? Oh yeah...
10) NOT WORK FROM 9 A.M. TILL NEARLY MIDNIGHT!!!

On the other hand...here are 10 things I still managed to squeeze in:

1) Hug and kiss my kids
2) Tell them I love them
3) Yell at my hubby
4) Tell him I love him
5) Write a few blog entries
6) Thanked my mom for watching the kids while I worked
7) Roll my eyes when my hubby tells me, "Your husband did a lot of watching the kids today too," while I typed number 6.
8) Smile
9) Got to know a coworker I have never met and have only "spoken" to via IM.
10) Remembered that I did a good job today.

10 Things

Here are 10 simple pretty things I noticed today:

1. My glowing friend S. in all her pregnant glory.
2. A view of fog rolling over the Oakland/Berkeley hills as I headed west on Hwy 24
3. Plum trees in bloom.
4. The dimples on my baby boy’s elbows
5. A bowl of Dol Sot Bi Bim Bop from Korean Bulgogi House in Concord, CA
6. A giant apple fritter from Chick’s Donuts
7. The sun peaking through the clouds during a break from the rain.
8. The hills are green!
9. The little wrinkles on my daughter’s nose when she smiles.
10. The glowing lights of the cars and street lights reflected on the wet streets.

Did you see anything nice today?

Four Things...Oh why not?

Yet another delay in the closing of my escrow. Apparantly, the buyer's lender hasn't submitted all documents to our title company yet. :sigh: Probably tomorrow or Wednesday before we sign they say. So, in order to get my mind off my house woes, here is a meme that I found over at the "Silent I", not quite my usual 10 things. If you know of any other worthy distractions, please send them my way.

Four jobs I have had in my life: 1. Credit Operator for a 1-800 phone sex line 2. Project Coordinator 3. Data Architect 4. Systems Programmer

Four movies I've watched over and over: 1. Love Actually (I love this movie, simple and sweet, that’s all I ask for.) 2. Finding Nemo (One of Sweet Pea’s favorites, it elicits screams of, “MOMO! MOMOOOO!”) 3. Cars (Sweet Pea’s other favorite, it elicits screams of, “CAR! CAR! CAR!”) 4. Gattaca (Jude Law stating, “My eyes are prettier”…damn straight!)

Four places I have lived: 1. Hillsdale, Michigan 2. Pensacola, Florida 3. Salinas, California 4. Santa Cruz, California

Four TV shows I love to watch: 1. Heroes (Well, really, just Hiro.) 2. Full House (The Korean drama that is. I watched the whole thing in three sittings and would not mind watching it again.) 3. Tony Bourdain’s No Reservations (I love Tony Bourdain, can’t help it, there’s something incredibly cool about him, and for a guy who doesn’t have any kids, he seems very good around them whenever they’re in an episode.) 4. How Its Made (I love learning how things are made…although it occurs to me that all these things are made in Canada. I guess there’s more to the great white north than snow and maple syrup.)

Four places I have been on vacation (I seriously need to go to more places): 1. My bed (vacation means sleep…sweet precious sleep.) 2. Lake Tahoe 3. Los Angeles 4. Chicago

Four of my favorite foods: 1. Pho 2. Lindt White Chocolate Lindor Truffles 3. Soon DuBu Chigae 4. Grilled Salmon with Lemon Butter Sauce

Four places I would rather be right now: 1. In my bed sleeping 2. Disney World 3. At the mall with a million bucks 4. In our own home

10 Things

Rachel over at Kitchen Fire tagged me for this meme, which is a good thing as this blog has gotten a bit dreary.

10 Shallow Things I'm Grateful For

1. A tie between Starbuck’s triple mocha hazelnut frappacino and Vietnamese crack iced coffee– Oh dear beloved caffeine, what would I do without you? Many an assignment would not be complete without your inspiration and influence.

2. Chick’s Donuts and Coffee Shop of Concord, CA – To call your delectable delights “donuts” raises the status of donuts everywhere. I wish I knew how to quit you!

3. My mom and grandma – Thank you for the almost free babysitting, you are worth far more than the $400/month I pay. (However, please do not ask for a raise until the house sells.)

4. My paycheck – Although, you could be bigger, as soon as the house sells, you’ll be ALL mine (well, almost, dang car payments).

5. J’s paycheck – You could be bigger too, but many a frappacino was made possible by you. For that, I am thankful.

6. NBC – Thank you for making Heroes and for giving the hubs and me something to watch together each week. It truly is the best show I’ve seen since the first season of Lost. And thanks for letting an Asian Indian guy get kissed on this show.

7. Hollywood – Thank you for investing in the interest of geeks. It is truly a good time to be alive for a grown up fan of The Lord of the Rings, Marvel Comics, Transformers, His Dark Materials, and The Dark Is Rising. Now, if you could redo the Earthsea series and not fuck up (like the SciFi channel did), I’d greatly appreciate that, and while you’re at it, please don’t screw up Transformers, His Dark Materials, and The Dark Is Rising, you gave us SO much hope with LOTR and the Spiderman movies (unlike some fans, I always thought it made more sense for Spiderman’s web to come out of his wrists rather than some contraption Peter Parker made. I mean, it makes the character so much more believable and I’m glad you dumbed him down a bit). The X-Men trilogy was ok, and although you screwed up the Phoenix Saga I’m not mad at you, Hugh Jackman and James Marsden were hot enough that I didn’t care.

8. Related to number 7; thank you to Phillip Pullman, Jonathan Stroud, JK Rowling, and others, for making the “Young Adult Fantasy” genre more respectable. This genre has a special place in my heart as it contains the books that first got me hooked on reading. I’m glad that these books are now not just for kids and I cannot wait to share them with my children as they get older.

9. The San Francisco Bay Area food scene – I have traveled to the heartland, and there I starved. Nothing says home to me like a breakfast of pho, lunch of bulgogi, and dinner of Zachary’s Chicago style pizza.

10. Broadband Internet – I cannot remember life before you. Days when you don’t work because the pimp ISP refuses to make you available are days when the world seems black and silent. I feel so cut off when you’re not working. You are my entertainment, my enrichment, my crutch, my bane, my ability to go to school and work at the same time. It is because of you that I am able to work from home occasionally. Without you, I wouldn’t be able to spend any time at all with my children. I don’t remember how I lived before you, I can’t imagine life without you.

10 Things I'm Genuinely Grateful For

1. My family (ie my parents, siblings, uncles, aunts, cousins) – Sure, you’re all a bit crazy but that’s what makes you interesting and that is why I love EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU.

2. My job – You keep my family fed and clothed. You don’t necessarily keep my brain working all the time, but that’s because I’m an engineer, an instigator of technical progress, and therefore lazy. To paraphrase Robert Heinlein (a former engineer), “Progress is made by lazy [women] looking for easier ways to do things.”

3. My commute – I complain about you a lot, but in all honesty, you are the only time I am able to find to have for myself, so that I could think, sing, scream, or dream.

4. “Home”- I am grateful, that I always have somewhere to go to where I am surrounded by people I love and who love me in return.

5. My in-laws – I am so blessed to have married into a family full of good people. You guys are great, how could you not be? You produced J.

6. My friends – What can I say, you guys rock. You’re always there for me, and you don’t mind that I’m a neurotic, hypochondriac, geek, who drinks too much coffee.

7. My J – Of course I’m grateful for you, duh.

8. My Sweet Pea – My darling little boy, before you were a twinkle in my eye, I dreamt of you, or rather, I dreamt of having a son; and here you are. I grew up in a family full of girls and never thought that I’d really ever have a son. You have my eyes and your daddy’s face, and a spunk that came from out of nowhere. I love you so much it hurts to see you growing up so fast. I hope I can do right by you provide the upbringing you deserve.

9. My Little Goose – You’re a big girl now, but you always stop for hugs and kisses. I see so much of myself in you, a fact that has your grandma laughing so hard every time you throw a tantrum or phrase your comments like an old woman. I love you my darling girl; for now, for ever, for always; you made us a family.

10. Tomorrow – I am grateful, that there is a future to look forward to, that no matter what wrong happens today, there is tomorrow to make it right.

And of course, I’m thankful to you dear readers; for dropping by and reading what I have to say. You are a category all your own. ^_^

Many thanks to Rachel for tagging me, and lessee, I tag Daddy in a Strange Land, Eliaday, and Mama Nabi.

10 Things

DON'T FORGET TO VOTE TODAY!!!! (If you are in the US, a US citizen, and above the age of 18.) Lien's Top 10 Reasons for Voting 10) Because you can! -- I can't vote as I'm not a US citizen (long story that has much to do with irony, laziness, money, and the LONG slow wait for the ultimate bureaucracy that is the former INS, former BCIS now USCIS...no, I'm not an illegal, sheesh). 9) Because contrary to what many people think, you are not an individual and you don't really matter if you don't vote! -- Your voice does not count, it will not be heard, and no one will truly care for your best interests if you can't or don't (hence all the laws affecting illegal immigrants and children). 8) Because, according to P. Diddy, you'll die! 7) Because you can't complain about the state of the country unless you do. --And if you do anyway, it doesn't matter what you say because you didn't vote and therefore have no say. Which is why it doesn't really matter that I like complaining about the god awful schools or the crime rate or how I can't believe that a man who looks like a white hairless chimp (with the brain of one) could be elected president. (No offense to any chimps who might be reading.) 6) Because the state of the country depends on you. -- Related to 7. 5) Because it's your money they're spendin'. -- TAXES ARE YOUR MONEY. If you want to have a say in how it's spent, vote! 4) Because the laws and lawmakers affect your life or the lives of your loved ones. -- Duh! 3) Because you have to be a role model. -- Thanks Eliaday. 2) Because you need to take a break from work. -- I'm ready for a beak, are you ready for a break? Great! Let's go! 1) Because Starbucks is bound to be on the way. -- Mmm...coffeee, must have coffee...my child can spell frappacino.

10 Things

It’s no secret in this house that I’ve been in a horrible angry mood these last few days. There are a lot of things going on that have just brought out the worst in me and now I feel extremely sheepish for letting myself get too emotional. I’ve always been a person who becomes easily susceptible to bouts of depression when life just isn’t working out. However, for my husband, for my kids, for my own sanity, I try to catch myself and think positive thoughts. And so here are 10 things in no particular order that have helped to cheer me up today. What cheers you up when you’re down? 10. The Sweet Pea has managed to keep two socks on his feet for the last three days. It’s a miracle! Either that or the thing that’s been eating one of his socks on a regular basis is laying low since I was about to launch a full scale investigation. Let’s hope the Sweet Pea keeps it up. Although now that he’s been managing to keep both socks on, I’m missing the cuteness of his single naked foot. 9. J asked me if he could go before he went out with his friends tonight. Well, he always does this when he goes out, but it occurred to me that he has never needed to ask and it’s very nice of him to do so anyway. We are always in contact with each other and he always lets me know where he is and what he’s up to in case I worry, because if it’s one thing he knows for certain, it is that I’m a worrywart. I highly recommend thoughtful spouses for good humor. 8. The Little Goose and the Sweet Pea were happy to see me. I always wonder if I spend too much time working and if my kids somehow forget me in the course of the day or maybe if I come home cranky and tired often enough they would hate me and not care to greet me at all when I come home. Luckily, it takes more than simple neglect to get rid of my little ones. I received lots of love today. The Sweet Pea even gave me several very wet kisses; the kinds where I have to wipe my cheek on his shirt are the best. 7. My dad and I watched about 10 minutes of a documentary on Pompeii together (before I had to run off for something or other). We even exchanged a short conversation on the poor Pompeiians (Pompeiiese? People of Pompeii) who must have suffered the worst kind of suffocating, burning deaths and yet what a boon for archeology that their town remains so well preserved and giving us a glimpse into the past. I love having conversations with my dad that don’t involve yelling, family, or food. It makes me more aware that he’s actually a human being and not just laconic-Asian-dad-authority-figure. 6. I went to the grocery store and dinner with J and the kids. Not only were they well behaved and didn’t ask for a single thing for themselves (ok, I’m lying, the Sweet Pea broke down near the end and started crying for a “bahwoo” aka balloon, although he didn’t get one and was ok about that). It was nice just being out with the people I love the most in the whole world. It didn’t matter that it was only for an hour and a half and that we went to Denny’s and Safeway. It was precious time. 5. My mom was excited that I was going to Safeway and asked me to buy chicken broth since it was on sale. I’m happy that I was able to help her out. 4. I was able to take a nap. Naps are good. It’s amazing what they can do for your state of mind. Babies truly are geniuses, they’ve been trying to tell us all along that naps were important, not just for them, but for everyone, but no one listens. 3. No one died a violent death in Oakland today, at least, not per SFGate.com. Every time I hear of a murder in Oakland, I get a little depressed. I love this city and I love living here, but it has an incredibly bad rap for being a violent and scary place. One could speculate on the reasons for this; the socio-economic levels of its residents, the fact that it is a minority majority city, the accusation that it’s the industrial backwater of the San Francisco contado, that there is no “there” here, etc. I want the best for my city, it’s a nice place to live with wonderful people, but it always makes me sad and frustrated that there are people here who would solve the issues they have in their lives through violence. 2. It was a beautifully warm day. Not that I actually spent much time outdoors today, but I appreciate the fact that we still have our mild Mediterranean type weather in the middle of October. One of my theories is that people in the Bay Area are laid back because we don’t have snow to shovel or high temperatures to sweat over. Tomorrow also looks to be quite nice, highs in the low 80s they say. 1. I was able to put the kids to bed. I was able to read them a story and sing them songs till they drifted off to sleep. Before I began my educational odyssey, bedtime was my ritual to perform. However, I haven’t really had a chance to put the kids to bed in awhile. At least, not put them to bed properly. In the last month, it’s been a challenge to fit in story time and songs. It’s mainly been about getting them to stay put with a lot of yelling. This is time that is precious to me as well. These 10 things might seem pretty domestic to you and very small and insignificant, but this is all I ask for to keep me happy. If every day were like today, then life wouldn’t be so bad. It’s the little things that make a life worth living yeah?

10 Things

Here are 10 things I thought while we were dropping off our Little Goose this morning for her first day of kindergarten. 10. My baby's going to Kindergarten! When did she get so big? 9. I hope she'll be ok. She seems to be doing alright. 8. The teacher seems nice. 7. Wow, the class is REALLY diverse (a few black kids, a few white, a few hispanic, one or two middle eastern kids, 4 asian kids, and a few mixed) 6. My baby's going to Kindergarten! Wasn't it yesterday that we brought her home from the hospital? 5. The other parents seem nice. 4. The teacher seems to have a firm grip on the classroom. 3. Wow, the kids in the class seem to be pretty well behaved considering it's their first day and no one is running around screaming or crying. 2. God, Buddha, heaven's above; I hope I made the right decision by putting her in an urban public school. 1. Don't cry!