I find it incredibly amazing that The Society of Professional Journalists is embracing us bloggers as the new media breed. Actually we bloggers (especially mommy bloggers at that) already know that we are the new media force, but having SPJ’s nod of approval gives blogging the credibility it deserves. True to their form in “encouraging the free practice of journalism and stimulating high standards of ethical behavior”, SPJ established Citizen Journalism Academy. It is a one-day intensive workshop in bringing the journalism basics to those who are “practicing journalism through blogs, Web site production and interaction with sites maintained by mainstream news organizations.”
I attended the very first Citizen Journalism Academy workshop here in Chicago at De Paul University this past Saturday. Personally, the real reason I wanted to attend is because I noticed that there is a whole topic about “Staying Out of Trouble”. As an active blogger, legal mess may be inevitable if you are not aware of certain practices. And with ChicagoMomsBlog.com (whom I write for) now in syndication, we are of course being read more by the masses. I am also as active with my 3 other blogs/sites (SugarMyBowl.com, FilipinaMoms.com, and MomViews.net) all of which are more reasons for me to make sure that I am consciously keeping the media ethics and law in mind.
What I got from the workshop is even more than I expected. Mike Conklin a Chicago Tribune veteran of 35 years was in attendance to share his wisdom amongst MANY others like Christine Tatum, the present editor-in-chief of Infoition News Services who has also served as the past national president of SPJ. So you see, we were truly in good hands. Ms. Tatum herself was kind enough to even give me a one-on-one advice on certain disclaimers that I should have in my product review site, MomViews.net.
Surprisingly enough, there were even seasoned journalists there that are taking refreshers. We were a good mix of participants, but I was the only Mom Blogger. I was for sure that there were more of us going. Everything from reporting and writing basics were covered. We even talked about new tech stuff (my favorite) and looked into many websites that can help you research (research is very important – that’s one way to stay out of trouble). Want to stalk someone? Boy, do I have the sites for you to research that person on! Ok, that’s just a joke. But really, my eyes and ears were opened up to a whole new level.
With all this being said --- I truly recommend that all of you bloggers take this workshop. For a measly small amount of $25.00, it is so worth it! Thank you SPJ for the opportunity. And if you are ever back in Chicago for more Citizen Journalism Academy classes, you can bet that I’ll be there!
SPJ Citizen Journalism Academy’s next stop ---- North Carolina and then Los Angeles! You have got go! Go to http://www.spj.org/cja.asp for more information.
As soon as my 2nd grader found out that he had to write and make a book for a school project, he just knew what he would be writing about. Since he was about 3, he came up with a penguin character named Dwibblet. He loved that name so much that he uses it with anything that needs a screen name. And now, he came up with a story behind that imagined character. His illustrations were as fun as reading his story and he even named his real teacher and all his classmates in it. I am so proud of the book and was given an A+. I wanted to share this with you guys and I hope that you will enjoy reading it.
Today was incredible. First off, our dear friend Jill Asher the Silicon Valley Moms Group founder that owns ChicagoMomsBlog.com (the collaborative blog that I also write for) was on The Today Show to talk about Mommy Blogging and it was so exciting to see her there. As I said to Jill on her voicemail today – she looked like a moviestar! Great job Jill! Click here to watch video. But not after reading the rest of my story ok!
Meanwhile, I was preparing for my own TV debut heading to the CNN studio here in Chicago for a guest interview in a US-based Asian TV show called “Kababayan”(meaning countrymen) – a program that tackles topics and issues on or about Filipino-Americans. I was invited to come and talk about the blog I had founded called FilipinaMoms.com. It sounded like I landed a pretty good gig without a hitch – but wait until I tell you what had happened before the actual interview.
Days before today, I made sure that my parents come (for the baby) early so I can at least look half way decent compared to what I’m accustomed to lately. It was a rainy morning and today’s forecast was dismal. But I’m not going to let that dampen my spirits – No siree! I planned that THIS DAY, I will actually do my hair instead of just tousling it up away from my face. This day, I will actually put on make-up like you are supposed to instead of the quick dotting of foundation that covers my blemishes. And this day, I will wake up with enough sleep so I can be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed just for the interview. I was glad to see my parents arriving enough for me to look and feel great. Just as I had imagined, my hair ended up looking fierce and my make-up fabulous.
You would think that all this was an indication to a great ending, but little did I know that a number of disasters were looming around the corner. The comedy started just when I got dropped off in front of the Tribune Building at 11:45 where the CNN studio is located and enough time to feel comfortable for my 12:15 on air scheduled via satellite interview from Los Angeles. But to make this long story short – let me bullet point it for you.
From the lobby I walked straight to the elevators only to be stopped by security because I bypassed a whole line of security check in. How could I’ve missed it?
When I got to the CNN office, they were baffled why I was there 2.5 hours ahead of time. 2.5 hours?! Checked by thru my email and apparently my eyes missed the letters P.S.and T. on the end of 12:15. You know, Pacific Standard Time…meaning 2:15 Chicago time! Trying to look cool obviously failed.
So I had to kill time – 2.5 hours! Hurray – freedom to shop in Michigan Avenue is always exciting, but did I mention that it was said to be raining all day? Do I need to even say that my make-up melted and my fab hair-do became a frizzied wet-do?
I dragged my spirits all the way to Walgreens and bought some hair shiner and brush hoping to salvage the DO that still ended up into a DON’T even after a few minutes of trying to look decent again.
Got to the interview and was briefed on some questions. My microphone was hooked through my dress and my earphone put on. The camera guy assured me that I looked fine blah…blah…blah…He was truly just being kind.
Show started, I was listening in on the cyclone news that happened in Myanmar from my earpiece and when it went to a commercial the show host; Janelle So, said that a Filipina Mom is guesting on the show and make sure to stay-tuned…or something like that. As soon as I heard that, my heart started racing and I started breaking into sweats! Uuggh..Can you say wet rag once more?
The 7 minute interview went and gone and I THINK I sounded dumb and probably looked like an ass. And the more I think about it tonight, there are so many things that I wish I could’ve said. Shoulda…Woulda…Coulda…a little too late.
The producer said that the video will be online soon, and I don’t know if I really want to share it with people now. So many have heard about it, and so there is this pressure to share. I can only hope that I was not as bad as I thought I was.
This Sunday morning I woke up with my 2 boys playing with their new game Monopoly Jr. in the kitchen table.My 8 year old was reading the directions in how to play the game and directing my 5 year old son the rules.I enjoyed watching and listening to them because this kind of cooperation between the two of them always break into one of them crying on the end.But not this time. It took a long while until they got tired in playing before they decided to just sit in the couch and talk.My boys are clearly maturing.
They talked about yesterday's celebration of my middle son’s birthday.We invited his entire preschool class and their families to join us in watching Aladdin – the musical (Yes, the Disney version).My boys enjoy watching theatre and we knew this was going to be a treat for him.And to double the fun, having 73 of his friends and their families there will be extra special.
The children’s production at Emerald City Theatre did an awesome job.They were funny and interactive with the kids.The Genie and Iago were especially outstanding and Aladdin was charming (who by the way is Filipino!More power! Hehe).OK – just to be a little bit of a theatre critic here – I must say that they were a little weak on a few lines that could’ve been hilarious if it was delivered timely and a little too strong on lines that are funny for adults but too hard for kids to comprehend. In all fairness, I know that it is the very first day of their showing and I’m sure that they are learning on how their audiences respond to those certain parts.Oh and uhhmmm --- they were a little off-tuned (cringe) on the end part of “A Whole New World” song, but I’m not sure if it really bothered anyone. Ok, enough critiquing already – this was after all a children’s production and I was nitpicking on things that anal retentive ones like me are probably the only ones who noticed.Princess Jasmine announced my son’s birthday at the end and the whole theatre audience greeted him loudly as one of the theatre crew member handed him some presents. All in all, It was magical to say the least, most especially to my birthday boy and all his little guests. And really, that's the most important part of all.
Thank you to Melissa of the Emerald City Theatre and the rest of the crew who tirelessly answered my non-stop questions and in helping this mama make it more special for my boy! Everyone was so friendly and it was such a great experience that we may just do this again! I highly recommend your services for parents who are looking for a fun, highly entertaining, and educational party.
After the show, everyone was also invited to continue the party for some food and more fun at the Horner Park.There were more guests that came to the park as well. I’m glad that we decided to get a party room since it was a little rainy.There were noodles (for longevity of course), chickens, hotdogs, and much more. The kids enjoyed running around the huge room and the parents got to chat with each other.The Genie cake was another highlight for the kids and it surprisingly didn't take long to gather them all for the traditional blowing of candles, Happy Birthday song, and group pictures. As each child left the party,we handed out Disney tin boxes stored with cars and sweets for boys and Princess Jasmine necklaces and sweets for the girls.The party was a hit!
As soon as we got in the car to head home, all 3 of our children fell asleep. Each one of them with a smile on their face. This will be a memorable day for the family. Happy Birthday Baby! I can’t believe how fast you’ve grown! I hope we granted you all of your birthday wishes. We love you like crazy!
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And oh --- this party would have never been possible without the uncles, aunts and grandparents who helped me set-up at Horner Park. Thank you so much family!!!
There are two things that I truly enjoy:Motherhood and Blogging. So it was such a treat that I got to enjoy a Sunday afternoon sippin’ wine and eating delicious food with my blogging mamas from ChicagoMomsBlog.com.As usual, it was great to see old friends and meet new ones.And to make it even more exciting, two other great gal pals of mine; Shawnna and Jen, write for CMB now and Jen was there to meet up with the group for the first time.
Thank you Mary Anne for being such a wonderful host, and thank you to all for a great time.We should really do this more often!
Who was there?
Amy and her beautiful Hailey – big time celebrity now! hehe
Steph looking wonderfully pregnant who will have more adventures in babywearing
Ariane A former Californian who I enjoyed meeting for the first time
Alma the marketing mama with her older daughter this time around
I have a crush on Guy Kawasaki!I get light headed and my heart flutters when he sends his many daily twits as I drool over this cutie pic. So you can just imagine what delight it was to receive a direct twit from him. I almost fainted in front of my computer.
If you don’t know who he is, you need to come out from under your rock because he is just about everywhere in the net.His cute smile is inescapable, and everyone is just after this Web God…I mean Guy.
Ok, now I know you guys are all thinking I’m kissin’ ass…well, frankly I don’t have to.Because I am already on Guy's highly covetedALLTOPlist!Yes, I’m an AllTop-er now…woohoo!Little ol’ me?!I’m still giggly.
Of course this is after I played a little damsel in distress in Twitter.He played along and flirted back – right Guy? And this is why this little ol’ blog is listed under food.alltop.com – EH?Not under Mom Bloggers, or losers, but food. I don’t get it either. Yes, under food. I’m not a food blogger, but who cares?I certainly don’t.Just the many thoughts of him visiting my sugar blog makes this sugarmama melt into some hot syrup…So you see I don’t have to kiss his ass, I’m just sort of rubbing it.What for?Because, I just want to! So, thanks Guy ;-) – really thanks!
And oh yes, my MomViews.net is listed inshopping.alltop.com and now I'm workin' to get my FilipinaMoms.com listed in AllTops too...hehe. Ok, so I'm kissing butt here. Just a little. Did that little rub work for you Guy?
Because this is all written in jest, here’s hoping that I will never ever meet him in person so I don’t have to die of embarrassment. Hehe.
So Georgia Getz - aka the "Bossy"Lady (who by the way is quite tall – or maybe because I’m so short) rolled into town and so a couple of Chicago bloggers gathered at Suburban Kamikaze’s lovely home in Suburban IL. It was a beautiful night with food, wine, and great company. What more could you ask for?
Thank you for a lovely night to these beautiful ladies:
McCatthy - A twitterita like me. She is extremely sweet and nice!
I seem to have developed a stronger taste for a daily dose of confection with each of my pregnancies.That was 5 pregnancies folks! That is quite a build up for a sweet tooth did I hear you say?Nuh-uh! Sweet (stuffed) face!But sour disposition that’s for sure.
Ok – so I’m living up to my blogger’s nickname of " sugarmama".But that is really the only cute thing about all this.
In one morning, I made some buttery waffles with strawberry and powdered sugar on top for the kids (ahem).During coffee break, I had an urge for some dunking of donuts but settled for a Mickey D’s cinnamon melt instead.Have you tried those? A piece of heaven really!After lunch, I started making mental notes on my grocery list.In it are ingredients for my newest obsession – Red Velvet cake!Yes, this southern sweetheart made a sweet comeback, and really, who can resist that?Am I the only one who has no willpower over this concoction?
Do I need to join sugarholic anonymous?
Well, I thought I'd get you addicted with me, so here is the red velvet recipe I found somewhere online:
Red Velvet Cake
1 Tb butter 3 1/2 cups self rising flour 1/2 cup cocoa powder1 1/2 tsp salt 2 cup canola oil 2 1/4 cup granulated sugar 3 large eggs 6 Tb ( 3 oz) red food colouring 1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract 1 1/4 cup buttermilk ( I used low fat and it was fine) 2 tsp baking soda 2 1/2 tsp vinegar
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cupcake pans if using or if you are making a cake, flour 3- 9 inch pans. Set aside.
Mix self raising flour, cocoa and salt in a bowl. If your cocoa powder is clumpy, make sure you sieve it before mixing it with the flour.
Whisk oil and sugar in a bowl till well blended. Beat in eggs one at a time. Add food colouring and pure vanilla extract into the oil and sugar mixture. Add flour alternately with buttermilk in 3 stages.
Mix baking soda and vinegar in a small bowl before adding it to the cake batter and mix till well combined.The batter will be runny. Pour into prepared cake pans or lined cupcake tins and bake 45 - 50 minutes for the cakes and 15-20 minutes for cupcakes.
In a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or with a hand-held electric mixer in a large bowl, mix the cream cheese, sugar, and butter on low speed until incorporated.
Increase the speed to high, and mix until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. (Occasionally turn the mixer off, and scrape the down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula.)
Reduce the speed of the mixer to low.
Add the vanilla, raise the speed to high and mix briefly until fluffy (scrape down the bowl occasionally).
Store in the refrigerator until somewhat stiff, before using. May be stored in the refrigerator for 3 days.
I've been stressing lately. Can you tell? Never mind that my roots need coloring - but look at my freakin' zits! Zits at 40? (okay 1 year shy of 40) Soon enough my preschooler will be happy to connect the dots on my face.
I've been bracing myself for the upcoming departure of my dear husband supposedly this Thursday. As sad as I am with my father-in-law being ill, I am really overwhelmed with the idea of having to be alone for 2 weeks with the 3 lil' kiddos. And to make matters worst -- because he is badly needed by his mom and sis in California, he had to promptly leave today instead. We were not ready for him to go, and things got emotional and we all got choked up saying our temporary goodbyes at the airport.
The boys has a lot of extracurricular activities other than school, and the only way we managed this well is because we (husband and I) are both here. And now that he's not here, I'm pulling out my hairs trying to figure out how to get around efficiently while toting a baby everywhere. I know we'll do fine and I'll get the hang of things. But, I really miss my husband already...not just because I need help with the house and kids...I just miss him because...
I turned on my computer this morning and my weather bug is reporting that it will be sunny and 65 degrees today! For real?! I swear I don't believe the weather forecast anymore. Not in Chicago anyway. But if this is true, I can't wait to just bust open all my windows and air out the winter glum. I will have the kids ride their bikes to the park and will let my hair fly with the wind. We will devour every single sunny moment, because for all we know ---- it may very well still snow tomorrow! Not to be pessimistic, but it is after all still April, and I remember some snowy April days.
That’s it! I walked out of the competition. I was one of the last 2 chefs battling it out on the TV show called Top Chef.
For our last competition, the 2 of us were given two other chefs to assist us on our very last mission. Unfortunately, one of the assistants I was given completely sabotaged my work. Without consulting me, he decided that I didn’t have enough veggie in my menu so he pureed some vegetables and added it to the plate right before I was about to hand them to the judges.
Of course I refused to send it out to the judges, so I bowed down and accepted defeat instead by walking out. I am frustrated, angry, and most especially disappointed! I am so disappointed that I woke up from that dream! Yes, a dream - that is all.
Darn…lol I must’ve been pureeing so much veggie for my daughter that it now erupted in my dream. And although this didn't beat my last good dream, I must say that it was quite awesome rubbing elbows with Padma and them peeps...
I love that new show Lipstick Jungle for many reasons. First, because I loved Sex And The City – hoping that it will have the same vibe. Secondly, because I’ve swooned over Andrew McCarthy since I first saw him in Pretty in Pink and Mannequin and now he's back (80s movies – brings back so much good memories). And third, because I was really happy to see that there is finally a main lead character of an Asian person (ok partly - Lindsay Price is half Korean) on prime time television which doesn’t happen very often.
And although most parts in the storyline can really only happen on TV, one of the major reason I love Lipstick Jungle and Sex And The City is because of the camaraderie they have as a core group of girlfriends. I love how each one of the characters is so different with each other and yet they all love and respect each other and I think this resonates a lot of what I have in my life.
I can’t imagine not having my best gal pals. I have a core group of friends whom I really consider as family. This is a group of girlfriends whom I would trust with anything. Yes anything! I feel truly lucky because of this. We are always there in the background ready to jump in (when needed) to keep each other standing strong most especially on those toughest and most trying days. I’m quoting myself on what I wrote about my friends a long time ago.
“Time and time again we have gone through major life changes. Some were bitter trials, and some were triumphant moments...and every single one of them I have shared with these ladies (some in their physical presence and some thru loving phone calls).
I can't possibly imagine having to grow old without them because I want them there to admire how my brown-colored orthopedic shoes compliment my nude-colored knee-highs. I have plans in comparing denture paste while guffawing over the comedy of it. And I have hopes in a couple of walking cane duels just to have the obligatory kiss and make-up over and over again. It will be too unfair if we all don't get to be there together for the next 20-30-40-50 years. I mean how could a senior discount at our nearby breakfast diner be so fun without having to be there for each other?”
So although we can’t be just like the women in Lipstick Jungle that can take the time to run for a quickie with a lover, and a coffee with the girls all in one lunch hour (as if we have the time) and still manage to run a major magazine empire, I know all my gal pals are as eager in planning and looking forward to our next weekend get-a-way that we all needed so badly. But until then, let me live it vicariously through Wendy, Nico, and Victory. And for those who haven't had a chance to see it yet, check out the 2 minute pilot replay of the show. You may just get hooked like me.
I'm going to Blogher Conference '08 in San Francisco! Woohooo! My newest excitement is probably something that only another blogger will understand. But the most important part of this news is thatHAKIA (the new super-power search engine) is fully sponsoring me to Blogher and I'm still pinching myself everyday to see if I'm just dreaming. Well, I'm not dreaming ---- all this is real! Hakia is making me feel like a rock star and I am feeling all the love. Airfare, hotel, and conference fee all taken care of Hakia! Now, how cool is that! Thank you so much Hakia!
Now I don't love Hakia just because they are about to be bigger than any search engine out there, but I would like to introduce to you the person who is responsible for this generous sponsorship. Ms. Melek Pulatkonak, the Chief Operating Officer of Hakia ( whom I have spoken to and even met last year in the blogher convention '07) is the admirable woman that I am talking about. First of all, it is quite amazing to meet and have spoken to such an intelligent woman who is a COO of the company, but she happens to be all about empowering women and quite familiar with us bloggers and that is definitely a big plus in my book. I am by far the luckiest person to have been granted an opportunity to be part of her Hakia family just even for the week of the convention.
"Hakia is a semantic search engine that brings relevant results based on concept match rather than keyword match or popularity ranking."
Now, doesn't that make more sense? I have to tell you that after using it for some time now, it is clearly a much better search engine than the 2 other big ones out there. But don't take my word for it, go and check it out. Because I know that you will find Hakia as amazing!
Here are a couple of things to start within Hakia.com:
- Join the h club and see what fun varieties are in store.
- Meet Others "who asked the same query" -- is a new social networking service that connects people through their common search queries. And it is easy to use too. It basically prompts you to join in (if you want) on a conversation over the same topic you were searching on.
I'll keep you guys in touch with more Hakia news later on...so for the mean time --- what are you waiting for? Go Hakia now and search happily!
We all know showing your Britney's are so out this 2008 and thanks to Shibue Couture - all those short-wearing party "vadgees" (yes, I'm coining this term) can be conveniently covered once again!
The other day I discovered an egg-sized lump on the base of my throat. I was shocked and baffled on how could I have missed it being the size it is now...
In the Tam Imperial Dynasty there are 3 royal highnesses always roaming around. Hay Lan the youngest of all, is the beloved princess. With her innocent smile she can easily get anyone to do anything for her.
Then there is Hay Loong, the oldest amongst the highnesses. He too has fallen under Hay Lan's magic.
Then the middle highness is Hay Ming. Even with his cleverness, he too has has not escaped Hay Lan's charms.
Both loyal brothers Hay Loong and Hay Ming are always under Hay Lan's spell.
Always ready to fight anyone that may bring harm to Hay Lan. Hai yah!
They watch her as she plays.
They watch her as she eats.
But still, it wasn't enough for Hay Lan and demanded for more! Hay Loong and Hay Ming begged for mercy. They kow-towed her everytime they can to show her that they will do more and more for her next time.
So Hay Lan, said "ok - but you better chop-chop people"! Well, Hay Loong and Hay Ming's fate didn't end well. She decided to kill them both and eat them in the end.But y'all know that the Empress (that's me the Mama) just have too much time in her hand and so this is just a funny little story and really- the boys just got too tired posing for more New Year Pics. Anyway, Gong Hei Fat Choy - San Neen Fay Lok to all that celebrate Chinese New Year! Let's party like it's 4076! For real!
I’m still undecided on whom I want to see as President because frankly I don’t see any of the remaining candidates as someone I can really back up. You would think that being a woman I’d go for Hillary, but I’m really not for Hillary. Actually it’s because I am not for Bill Clinton. After seeing Barack and Hillary battle it out on debate yesterday, it was clear that Hillary is a better candidate than Barack, but I can’t seem to get over the fact that Bill Clinton can possibly be back in The White House - a place where he so cockily (no pun intended) took advantage of his power to live like he was Hugh Hefner in his mansion.
Hear me out on these 2 main reasons why I choose not to vote for Hillary:
1.) As a woman myself, I cringe every time I remember those many interviews that she didn’t stand up for herself and her daughter the whole time that Bill Clinton made an ass of her with the Monica Lewinsky fiasco. I can’t imagine having to stand up beside my husband on such a flagrant behavior and something that has happened over and over again. Sure she probably shouted and got mad at him behind doors, but she is still with him and quite frankly I guess I was waiting for an all-out Gloria Gaynor style "I will survive" drama. Can you blame me?
2.) As a wife, I find it uncomfortable and strange when Hillary said on TV that she could easily control Bill because there is only one president at a time. I can never imagine saying that I can easily control my husband, or vice versa, because there is obviously no respect in a relationship where you have to result in having to control one or the other.
Now, do I really want a woman president like Hillary? No thank you. I know these are all personal reasons and not so much of what they stand for on certain issues, but that's just how "I" gauge my role models.
As far as Barack goes, I don’t know. I don’t think he is experienced enough and he is gaining lot of followers because of color. I guess I can understand why people of color will naturally pick him for the position, like how women are naturally gravitating to Hillary. But it really shouldn’t be because of color, or sex, or even political party for that matter. Well okay, maybe yes on the political party. But that's a whole another topic I want to tackle on another day.
What do I think about McCain and Romney? I haven’t truly begun to pay attention on them yet. And the way things are between Hillary and Barack, I may just tune in and see what those 2 can do for me.
As I was shopping at Target for a 5 year old girl’s birthday present, I found myself somewhat lost. Come to think of it, I never really put much thought into buying girl toys until we finally had a baby girl. So this turned out to be quite the adventure. As expected, the whole Barbie aisle was hard to miss and so I was automatically drawn to the doll section. I said to myself, "this should be easy", I mean really, how hard can it get? I thought that I would just grab any Barbie and get out. But holy cow! I didn’t realize that there were so many different ones! All of the sudden I didn’t know what I wanted anymore. I was getting frustrated and almost about to walk away. And then, I found this! It is called “My House” Barbie. It has 50 pieces of home accessories and furniture you can actually move the house and furniture around to however you want. I saw stars twinkling around the box melodiously calling out my name like how it was called when I was 6 or 7 years old.
My heart melted and brought me back (way back) when I played with my own Barbie Dolls! Shucks…I forgot how much I really loved them. I still remember --- I have 11 Barbie dolls that I played with daily. My little sister and I carried all 11 dolls in a plastic shoe bin and we dressed and redressed them every single day. Everywhere we were, our imaginations were endless. We piled little blocks for Barbie's bed, and always attempted to make a home for Barbie out of boxes. A flood of memories kept pouring in. Really happy memories.
I even actually own that controversial Growing-Up Skipper (picture on the right)! For those of you that didn’t grow up in the 70s, Skipperhappens to be Barbie’s younger sister. Oh wait, maybe Skipper is still around? No? Anyway, the Growing-Up Skipper was a riot. You basically wind the arms backward and the torso gets longer and thinner, and the breast gets bigger too! I guess that it was such a hit that they followed up with Growing-Up Ginger (which I wish I had). Ginger is Skipper’s friend. Oh and who remember Malibu Barbie? The sun-goddess doll that has a tan line if you pull down the straps of her bra!
After that Target trip, I found myself searching online to see if I can still buy these old toys so I can share with my daughter (how’s that for a reason). I am excited to also find the vintage Barbie books from the 60s that I used to love. You gotta love ebay! But the funniest of part of all is that I am now in the lookout to buy another toy I used to play with. This Fonzie doll below complete with the faux leather jacket and motorcycle.
You see in my Barbie household, Mr. Fonzarella was the main squeeze. Infact, there were many timesI was questioned why were Barbie and The Fonz laying around the house without their clothes on. Well, why else? That leather bomber jacket will look hot on Barbie don’t ya think? (*wink) And as the The Fonz cooly say...."eeeeey"
Care to share your favorite childhood toys?-----------------------------------------------
We're back, but not all completely there just yet. All of us ended up with a bad cold during the holiday vacation and now the baby is a little feverish too. Uurgh. But we are glad to be home, and although we had such a blast at Legoland (near San Diego) - we can all honestly say that we wished that we had stayed home to celebrate Christmas and New Year where the love and spirit was in the air. I'm also happy to say, that this same love and spirit has greeted and welcomed us home along with a beautiful 60 degree January Chicago day? How weird was that?! Now as we are unpacking and packing Christmas stuff away, I just now realized how much my family truly enjoy receiving Holiday photos from all of our families and friends. I've kept every single one each year that we received them from when we first got married (yeah --- way back - hehe), and it is really a delight to see how the children has grown. So thanks to those that has sent us your Holiday Photos again this year. And know that we will be looking forward to it every year!
Then maybe answer a couple of emails while you are at it.
And since your girlfriend popped up in your IM, go ahead and say hello.
Ooh, and check to see if there are some bids on your ebay goods.
And if you think you still have time, go ahead and throw a sheep at someone in Facebook.
As soon as you realize it--- run to stove and try to salvage what you can. I have perfected this routine 2x this week. Obviously the internet is very very bad for me.
My Junior Kindergartner's fantabulous teacher made a beautiful board showcasing all of her student's "What We Are Thankful For". Complete with a cutout of each child's picture with their actual work of art.
My son is thankful for BEARS... yes, bears. Not thankful for Mom, or Family, or not even his home. He doesn't own a teddy bear, but I guess I know what he wants for Christmas.
I am supposedly "influential" enough of a blogger and so I received an email to test drive an all new 08 Dodge Caravan for an entire week. But really, I'd rather have received the free Ferrari laptop from Microsoft!
"Microsoft, in partnership with AMD, has sent the Ferrari 1000 or Ferrari 500 Laptops (Acer and Scuderia Ferrari) pre-loaded with Windows Vista Ultimate to "key community folks".
These dual-core 64-bit AMD TurionT laptops were either directly shipped by Microsoft or through Edelman, their PR firm."
"MICROSOFT IS GETTING a lot of crap lately for sending out notebooks preloaded with Vista to bloggers. While most people out there are calling this everything from spin to bribery, it simply is not, it is how the industry works.
Microsoft may have done some stupid things here, but stupid is not an evil plot."
And I say:
Dear Microsoft - the next time you decide to send out more of those pre-Christmas laptops, send them over this way! You'll be surprised with what this group of Mommy bloggers can do. As I've said before - Don't underestimate the power of a Mommy Blogger!
Have you joined the Scavenger BlogHunt Party yet? With now over $6000 worth of prizes and over 75 Vendors participating! Lots of chance in winning some awesome prizes. Go there. NOW!
This morning I was able to take my 4 year old to breakfast. Just him "my over-theatrical, uber-independent, middle child" and I. 30 minutes before waking him up for school, I snuggled and lightly fell asleep with him in his bed. He woke up in a great mood and went directly to shower like I told him so. My older son (my firstborn) is still sound asleep, drugged up with cold medicines. My 8 month old girl also sleeping soundly after finally recovering from a bad cold and catching up from many days and nights of not enough sleep.
I was able to shampoo and soap my 4 year old in the shower. Even towel-dried, dressed, and blow-dried his hair. He's not too sure what to do with all this undivided attention since I don't think he ever really remember having me all to himself this long. But one thing for sure is that he looks happy and unbelievably cooperative this morning. So cooperative that we had lots of time to go out for breakfast! He ate well (so unlike his many mornings) and happily sipped his hot cocoa. I love watching his happy face uninterruptedly.
My husband and I have always said how much more difficult he is compared to our firstborn. How he is so much more independent and how he is so much more theatrical. And I've always known why. Why? Because when he was born, he was dragged around everywhere to all of his older brother's activities. Cheering for Goh-Goh (older brother in Cantonese) on hockey games, soccer games, piano recitals, etc. When he was finally old enough to play in a soccer team, I remember losing it and crying while watching him play and running to the other side of the field to watch his older brother play at the same time in a different game. I felt terrible that I couldn't stay put and watch just his game like I did for my older son when he first played. And when our 3rd baby was born, he learned even more so in fending for himself. But because of all this, he is the most forgiving and caring child. Unconditionally forgiving with his goh-goh (older brother), and his parents, and the most adorably caring with his moy-moy (younger sister). In our eyes, and our hearts - he is our "perfect" middle child.
Today he was treated like he was an only child, and I hope to get another chance to do it all over again.
--------------------------------- Cross-posted at the Chicago Mom Blogs
I may be a D-Lister in bloggywood, but I am still considered a blogelebrity you know! Just wanna share with you guys on some little mentions of my blog and I within the last few months:
ooooh and I just found out --- I am the Featured Blog of the week at TheMomSalon.com ---- wooooohoooo!
Rest assured that I won't be showing my Britney anytime soon - but don't hate me if I reveal my boobies via youtube since the Breast Festivities are here.
Many awesome mommies are certainly taking the stand in breastfeeding, just like my new found breast friend "fidget" who is nursing live today. So the next time someone says that my baby "suck" then I will have to say so proudly - "Damn right she does! "
Want a live appearance from this blogelebrity? Just say FOOD - and I'm there! No papparazzis please.
I was once a sex toy company owner and so you would think that talking about sex to my child should come liberating and easy. I want to be able to talk to my child openly about sex and sexual health, but honestly - I can't make myself do it. According to some articles in the Internet, these talks should happen between parents and kids around 6-8 years old. So when my son turned 6 last year I decided to finally do the deed that needs to get done. But before charging on I needed some guidance. So I got gung-ho and enthusiastically researched on materials I can use to read or view with him that can hopefully help get my points across. I decided to finally purchase this book called "Where Did I Come From?” online. It had some great reviews everywhere, so it must be really good. As soon as I received it in the mail, I excitedly browsed and read through it quickly. I was shocked and now unsure if this is the right time to be talking to my child about sex just yet. I hid the book in home office book shelf and it has been sitting there for a year now. How can I possibly read that book to my child without getting embarrassed? Here are some excerpts from the book.
"The beginning of baby ....and they hug each other very tight. And after a while, the man's penis becomes stiff and hard, much bigger than it usually is. It gets bigger because it has a lot of work to do..............And to get really close the best thing to do is lie on top of her and put his penis inside her, into her vagina.
Making Love ...The man pushes his penis up and down and inside the woman's vagina, so that both the tickly parts are being rubbed against each other . It's like scratching an itch, but a lot nicer."
Now tell me - am I the only one that thinks this is way too much information for children? And for those that have had the chance to do this with your children, how did you exactly approach this topic? And how old were your children then, and how did they respond to it? Eventually I will have to do this so I hope that some of you can enlighten me of a better or gentler way of talking about sex to your children for the first time.
Also, here is a very entertaining German version of their own Where babies come from.
I had just posted at the Chicago Moms Blog on my take on today's college students. Nothing too serious - more like poking fun on my current experience as a back to school Mom at my age. Click HERE to go there now.
Funny how I can relate to that cartoon scene. Don’t we all wish that we can always start with a clean slate?To restart all fresh and new sounds very exciting doesn’t it?Today, is that day for me!I have finally enrolled in school again.And this time around, I have bigger and better inspirations to guide me through.
I unfortunately didn’t take college so seriously back then.It has been since 1991 that I winged every course that I surprisingly passed through.When I graduated high school in 1987 (yes, I am that old! Yikes!), going to college was not an option.I went and did all of it, but my head was truly not in the right place.I was more concerned about the whole social part of it than the actual classes.Sad, because that’s my only memory of college then – Which party to go to? Whose party to go to? When is the weekend coming?What?!- there’s an exam today? Uurgh…
Fast-forward ….not looking back (so don’t ask me about the past so I don’t gag anymore) but definitely learning from it, I am back at it again. I know this will be tough and it will be for the next few years. But now with my head screwed on correctly, with 3 kids and a husband routing for me, I am reaching for the skies and no less…
What would you wish to redo if you are given the chance to do correctly all over again?
-------------- The cartoon is - A lighter look at the adult student experience by cartoonist Jerry King
I decided to go back to school this Fall.I’m hoping to get my Nursing Degree in a few years. With my son getting straight As from school, I would have to work extra hard because it will be a big embarrassment to my son if I did any less.I’m starting to doubt myself!
I can’t wait to try my new self-threading sewing machine my husband bought me. Woohoo! All the sewing books I currently purchased will finally be used.
I have been busy getting my boys ready for school next week, and I can’t wait to enroll my baby in a Mommy and Baby class.
I’m up for the most part of the night busy with the launching ofMomViews.net and the many products in line for a feature review are so exciting.This week is on Diaper Vest!Go there now and win the coolest wearable diaper bag.An $82.00 giveaway!
I think I’m hyperactive – I can’t seem to stay put.
I was on the expressway going home one day and just as I was parking my car, my mind woke up wondering how I got home so fast. Has this ever happened to you before? The last thing I remembered was getting in my car and hopping on the expressway. Obviously my mind has somehow wandered somewhere else for at least 15 minutes - which is about how much time I spend on that freeway going home. I'm mostly tired and sleep-deprived which is obviously the culprit of what could've been a scary situation.
Next week Katie will turn 6 months. The last I remembered was pushing her out. Ok, that's a little exaggerated. But really - how can this happen so fast? I'm excited and yet sad that she is growing up so quickly. She may be my last baby after all. I look at my 2 boys, and I really miss how they were as infants. I look at my little girl, and I know she won't be a baby for long.
I need to be better at taking pictures and videos. I need to be better at spending more family time with them. And lastly, I need to be better at taking care of myself so I can be a better mom.
--------------------------- By the way, have you visited MomViews yet?
I have been blogging for years now and so over the years many companies had approached and contacted me if I would be interested in reviewing their products. And although I was very eager to do so, I have always been very adamant in doing reviews here in my own personal blog. So instead of shunning away all the offers, I have decided to open up MomViews.net --- and even share the awesome products I will be reviewing with my readers. Now I can actually say -- bring it on!
Mom Views is a weekly feature review site on parent/kid/pet/family/l
I find it incredibly amazing that The Society of Professional Journalists is embracing us bloggers as the new media breed. Actually we bloggers (especially mommy bloggers at that) already know that we are the new media force, but having SPJ’s nod of approval gives blogging the credibility it deserves. True to their form in “encouraging the free practice of journalism and stimulating high standards of ethical behavior”, SPJ established Citizen Journalism Academy. It is a one-day intensive workshop in bringing the journalism basics to those who are “practicing journalism through blogs, Web site production and interaction with sites maintained by mainstream news organizations.”
I love that new show 
hen the middle highness is Hay Ming. Even with his cleverness, he too has has not escaped Hay Lan's charms.
So Hay Lan, said "ok - but you better chop-chop people"! 
But y'all know that the Empress (that's me the Mama) just have too much time in her hand and so this is just a funny little story and really- the boys just got too tired posing for more New Year Pics.
As I was shopping at Target for a 5 year old girl’s birthday present, I found myself somewhat lost. Come to think of it, I never really put much thought into buying girl toys until we finally had a baby girl. So this turned out to be quite the adventure. As expected, the whole Barbie aisle was hard to miss and so I was automatically drawn to the doll section. I said to myself, "this should be easy", I mean really, how hard can it get? I thought that I would just grab any Barbie and get out. But holy cow! I didn’t realize that there were so many different ones! All of the sudden I didn’t know what I wanted anymore. I was getting frustrated and almost about to walk away. And then, I found this! It is called “My House” Barbie. It has 50 pieces of home accessories and furniture you can actually move the house and furniture around to however you want. I saw stars twinkling around the box melodiously calling out my name like how it was called when I was 6 or 7 years old.
