Writing for Leisure?

If anyone told me 15 years ago I would be writing for no reason except pleasure, I would have thought them crazy. I hated composition and essay writing when I was in school. For that matter I pretty much hated all subjects haha... well I did enjoy Math.
So. I really have no clue why I am doing this. Maybe its because my memory is not as good as b.c. (before Cael). I want to be able to read something I have written and say, 'wow! I had forgotten about that!' or 'did that really happened?' Needless to say, these are all TRUE happenings in my life! I am not going to polish them up to make me sound better than I am or worse.
Most of my thoughts flow when I am cooking, which kinda sucks because I cannot be wielding a spatula and type on the computer at the same time. It wouldn't be fair to my husband to get burnt offerings for dinner, although God might have appreciated it! hehe! So, I have come up with a solution. I have a note pad and a pen handy next to the stove for when I get hit by inspiration. This brought back memories of composition in which we have to make up a story using the key words provided. Hey, whatever works! I hate to not blog for days on end but sometimes I just have no idea what I want to write about. But not now. Now I am in the flow. I just have to pace myself. In the days to come (I hope!) you will read snippets about my life b.c and a.c . Hope you enjoy reading. Maybe I should have titled this blog 'Foreword'

Cael Pics

Coffee

I love coffee. Cream, no sugar. And no, not the flavored creamers. I have tried and tried to love those fancy creamers with all kinds of exotic flavors, from French Vanilla to Hazelnut Toffee, from Vanilla Chai Spice to Gingerbread. And I have finally come to the realization that if I really want to TASTE my coffee, it needs to be unadulterated. As it is, real coffee lovers would scoff at my teaspoonful of creamer but hey, I hate black coffee.
That said, it doesn't stop me from buying flavored creamers when I go to the store. Especially when they come out with new ones ever so often. Right now, they have the Christmas/Winter collection like Pumpkin Spice, Gingerbread and Eggnog(?!).
Every morning when I make my coffee, there is a war that goes on inside of me. I look at my cheap powdered creamer and my refrigerated Almond Toffee flavor and inevitably, the cheap one wins. I simply need that kick of pure coffee aroma to wake my brains up. So my Almond Toffee continue to live in the fridge untouched until the expiry date arrives. So can you tell me why I just bought a new bottle of Gingerbread flavored creamer? I guess hope springs eternal.

Utility Bills & Toys

I am so happy to report that my utility bill has gone WAY DOWN since we moved back to California! It was a nightmare for me every month when we were in Texas. To have to pay such high electricity bills and not even enjoy the cool air. Because any cooler and my bill would probably shoot up to $500 a month so can forget about buying diapers for Cael! And toys? Yeah right! So the lesson learnt is not to buy a house with so many square feet and get a heart attack when you find out how much it costs to run it. Well, mistakes make one wiser. (that is, if you don't repeat it)
Now the problem is not being unable to afford to buy toys for Cael but what we can buy that will hold his interest for more than two minutes? This boy only likes forbidden stuff. He does not want anything freely accessible to him. He likes to eat shoes, stick a plug into his mouth, pick and eat stuff off the floor, break the TV remote control. He'll probably stick his hand into the toilet bowl if given an opportunity.

Update on Disneyland

Yeah, so Cael didn't make it to Disneyland after all. But no worries, he will be going pretty soon I am sure, maybe this coming spring, since it is getting quite chilly now. I wonder why when my family visits and want a taste of the nice California weather we boast about, they always get hit with a heat wave (slight exaggeration on my part). My brother Mike came to visit last week and we were in the high 80s and this week, we are enjoying the low 60s. Well I like colder weather. Gerald prefers the heat. So what is with this irony? Why can't the weather be perfect when they come and visit so they don't think I am lying?
Anyways, the reason Disneyland did not work out was because my brother has decided to enjoy Disneyland with his wife so they will have something to look forward to (besides Cael) when they come visit next time. Hopefully the weather will cooperate then!

Disneyland, Here We Come!

Cael will get his first taste of Disneyland soon. His Uncle Mike arrives this evening and that will be one of our stops. I am sure he will have a blast! The good thing about living in Southern California is that we can buy an annual pass to Disneyland from $125, I think. So I will just do that and Cael will be able to enjoy the happiest place on earth weekly (at least if his mama doesn't prove to be lazy).
Okay, Disneyland later, seems its Change-Poopie-Diaper Land for now!

To Integrate or Not to Integrate?

My husband and I have been looking for a church nearer to home to belong to. Today we found ourselves attending a church that was 98% Asian. Which brings to my mind this question. Why would anyone want to migrate to a different country but still live in the same society with its familiar cultures and traditions? I don't ask that question in a facetious manner. I really want to know. I might understand if the older generation has a hard time adjusting to the 'western ways' but these are young people who were probably born and bred in the good old USA. How do I know? All of them spoke with perfect American accents and they converse with one another in English (American).
Needless to say, this is one church we will not be making our home. I for one am all for integration. In fact, our closest friends are Hispanic and White. And we are Black and Asian. So just call us THE MELTING POT. :)

Phantom of the Opera

This is my all time favorite musical. I went to watch it twice in the theater. Have got the movie and both the CDs, the original cast and the new version. So yeah, I guess you can call me a fan!
Here is the one by Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman performed at a Tony's Award.

Bits and Pieces

Cael learnt how to stand up on his own last week. When he stands, he will look up at us and wait for an applause and then he starts laughing. He is simply adorable. The other picture shows him with his cousin Justine and her boyfriend, David. Justine came to visit little Cael this past weekend. And his Uncle Mike from Singapore will be coming to 'babysit' him later this month.

Welcoming Party

I wonder why my son greets his father with such a warm welcome when he comes home from work? He will stop whatever he is doing and starts screeching and jumping (his version) and has a BIG WIDE SMILE on his face. Like yesterday, I came back from the dental office and nary a greeting for me. But his dad goes out for 2 seconds to get something from the garage and he starts crying and he does his welcoming thing again 2 seconds later when he comes back in....WHAT IS WITH THAT!!!!! His dad gloats... Huh...just watch what happens at night when he is ready to go to sleep! That is when he wants his mama. Well..I guess that evens things out. I do have to admit his dad is more fun. Mom is just the maid, feeding, changing, cleaning.

Pumpkin Boy