January 2 - mistakenly dropped DVD rental into mailbox with letters. Could not retrieve.
January 5 - lost keys to rental car at the Taft School. Looked for a couple of hours then finally someone left in keyhole.
January 6 - my credit card info was stolen over the internet (probably Netflix) and used to buy $1400 worth of items in "reshipping" scam. Found out through a good samaritan.
Human error plus bad luck resulted in a stressful week. There was also extra work involved in correcting the above wrongs. Sometimes things just happen.
January 13, 2008
January 01, 2008
Andrew is 6 yrs old
Andrew was our Christmas gift 6 years ago. This year we held his party at the NY Transit Museum. NYC buses and subways are his passion.
December 29, 2007
Dad's favorite Hymn
Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change, He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake
To guide the future, as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below.
Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart,
And all is darkened in the vale of tears,
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.
Be still, my soul: thy Jesus can repay
From His own fullness all He takes away.
Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord.
When disappointment, grief and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past
All safe and blessèd we shall meet at last.
Be still, my soul: begin the song of praise
On earth, believing, to Thy Lord on high;
Acknowledge Him in all thy words and ways,
So shall He view thee with a well pleased eye.
Be still, my soul: the Sun of life divine
Through passing clouds shall but more brightly shine.
Katharina A. von Schlege
"This hymn was reportedly the favorite of Eric Liddell, the athlete who became famous in the 1924 Olympics for refusing to run on the Sabbath (see the movie Chariots of Fire). Liddell later be came a missionary in China, and was imprisoned during World War II. He is said to have taught this hymn to others in the prison camp (where he eventually died of a brain tumor)."
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change, He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake
To guide the future, as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below.
Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart,
And all is darkened in the vale of tears,
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.
Be still, my soul: thy Jesus can repay
From His own fullness all He takes away.
Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord.
When disappointment, grief and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past
All safe and blessèd we shall meet at last.
Be still, my soul: begin the song of praise
On earth, believing, to Thy Lord on high;
Acknowledge Him in all thy words and ways,
So shall He view thee with a well pleased eye.
Be still, my soul: the Sun of life divine
Through passing clouds shall but more brightly shine.
Katharina A. von Schlege
"This hymn was reportedly the favorite of Eric Liddell, the athlete who became famous in the 1924 Olympics for refusing to run on the Sabbath (see the movie Chariots of Fire). Liddell later be came a missionary in China, and was imprisoned during World War II. He is said to have taught this hymn to others in the prison camp (where he eventually died of a brain tumor)."
December 26, 2007
Dr Jonah Kule
Ebola has struck one of God's faithful servants in Uganda. Please read on and keep his family in your prayers: (as told by Pamela Brown-Peterside)
"But then on Tuesday night, we learned, to our shock, dismay and disbelief, that our dear friend Dr. Jonah had died. This was truly hard to believe and it still is.
Dr. Jonah’s death is a tremendous loss on so, on so many levels. He leaves behind a wife, Melen, 5 daughters and a child on the way. He was a man of integrity and honesty, challenging corruption in the health care system by, among other things, refusing to charge women for c-sections and other surgeries; a smart, courageous, compassionate and hard working physician; a man who returned to Bundibugyo because he believed God had provided the opportunities for him to attend medical school (Scott and Jennifer and many others supported him through this through prayer and financial help); and that God had now called him back there to serve his people. Dr. Jonah was a dear, dear friend to many of us in World Harvest, and Scott & Jennifer’s closest Ugandan friend and colleague. In the 2 years I knew him, we had developed a mutual respect and affection for one another.
Two weeks before he died, Jonah and Melen and their 2 youngest daughters, Karen and Sarah, were having dinner with Pat & I. He had come from a task force meeting that afternoon – at which he was the lead doctor – organized to try to figure out what this strange disease was that was killing people. At that point, it was not yet known to us that it was Ebola. He was upbeat and jovial – which was typical for him. He was a very joyful man. It was the last time I saw him. A few days later he headed to Kampala."
"But then on Tuesday night, we learned, to our shock, dismay and disbelief, that our dear friend Dr. Jonah had died. This was truly hard to believe and it still is.
Dr. Jonah’s death is a tremendous loss on so, on so many levels. He leaves behind a wife, Melen, 5 daughters and a child on the way. He was a man of integrity and honesty, challenging corruption in the health care system by, among other things, refusing to charge women for c-sections and other surgeries; a smart, courageous, compassionate and hard working physician; a man who returned to Bundibugyo because he believed God had provided the opportunities for him to attend medical school (Scott and Jennifer and many others supported him through this through prayer and financial help); and that God had now called him back there to serve his people. Dr. Jonah was a dear, dear friend to many of us in World Harvest, and Scott & Jennifer’s closest Ugandan friend and colleague. In the 2 years I knew him, we had developed a mutual respect and affection for one another.
Two weeks before he died, Jonah and Melen and their 2 youngest daughters, Karen and Sarah, were having dinner with Pat & I. He had come from a task force meeting that afternoon – at which he was the lead doctor – organized to try to figure out what this strange disease was that was killing people. At that point, it was not yet known to us that it was Ebola. He was upbeat and jovial – which was typical for him. He was a very joyful man. It was the last time I saw him. A few days later he headed to Kampala."
Emma's Ballet Class
One of the best things for me in having a daughter is shared feminine interests: clothes, shoes, emotions, and ballet...
Xmas Tree
This year, I ordered our fresh tree online from a farm in Michigan. It was fresher than the ones on the streets of Manhattan. I'll be doing this next from now on.
November 30, 2007
November 01, 2007
My Father
My Father passed away 10 years and the family gathered to remember his passing. Although I wish he could have seen his grandchildren, he left a deep spiritual legacy in each of his daughters and some of his friends he was sharing the love of God's Word. His 57 years on this earth was not in vain but to accomplish His Will. It's not the quantity of life or accomplishments but the quality of lives a person touches.
Big Apple Circus
Andrew and his friends had a great time at the Big Apple Circus in Lincoln Center. Emma loved the dancing dogs and Andrew's favorite was a comedic conductor.
October 24, 2007
Talking Back
Andrew has been talking back to us especially after he started kindergarten. While I want him to express his thoughts, rude talk is unacceptable. I'm trying to:
a. stay calm (lest my anger models the very negative behavior he needs to change)
b. communicate that I will not listen and walk away unless he talks in a nicer way
c. coach and model calm behavior and talk
This has been happening when he is tired after school and around bedtime and I am working on his fatigue by offering food and rest. Dr. Knapp (below) and University of Pittsburgh have some helpful articles on the subject:
"My son turned 6 yesterday and is in kindergarten this year. I have noticed he has been talking back more since starting school. I know this is a normal part of his trying to exert his independence. My question is: What do I do about it? Is it better to just ignore it and not lend any attention to it or should we give consequences?
This is a long and difficult question and answer. And there are as many approaches as there are families. It is important that kids speak their mind and voice an opinion. Learn to think for themselves instead of just swallowing whatever is fed them. But there is a difference between voicing their opinion and "talking back" ugly. When they are getting ugly, ask them to calm down and lets talk about this in a nicer tone or we will have to end this conversation."
continue reading>>
a. stay calm (lest my anger models the very negative behavior he needs to change)
b. communicate that I will not listen and walk away unless he talks in a nicer way
c. coach and model calm behavior and talk
This has been happening when he is tired after school and around bedtime and I am working on his fatigue by offering food and rest. Dr. Knapp (below) and University of Pittsburgh have some helpful articles on the subject:
"My son turned 6 yesterday and is in kindergarten this year. I have noticed he has been talking back more since starting school. I know this is a normal part of his trying to exert his independence. My question is: What do I do about it? Is it better to just ignore it and not lend any attention to it or should we give consequences?
This is a long and difficult question and answer. And there are as many approaches as there are families. It is important that kids speak their mind and voice an opinion. Learn to think for themselves instead of just swallowing whatever is fed them. But there is a difference between voicing their opinion and "talking back" ugly. When they are getting ugly, ask them to calm down and lets talk about this in a nicer tone or we will have to end this conversation."
continue reading>>
October 17, 2007
Upper Eastside Restaurants
When I return home from downtown, I do notice how much cleaner and less crowded our neighborhood is relatively speaking of course. We live near one of the busiest intersections uptown. But it's comfortable living with your own kind, namely families, instead of chain-smoking, night-crawling hipsters. Also, a short commute to our children's school is paramount in the city. Hence, my list of favorite restaurants in the Upper Eastside (high end not included):
*Paola's - good Italian food in a lovely romantic setting.
*Nick's - good brick oven pizza in a more casual setting. Child friendly.
*B Cafe - decent Belgian in a cute European bistro setting. Burgers are pretty good.
*Cafe d'Alsace - romantic bistro setting. Food is decent.
*Yura - a staple for daily baked goods.
*Paola's - good Italian food in a lovely romantic setting.
*Nick's - good brick oven pizza in a more casual setting. Child friendly.
*B Cafe - decent Belgian in a cute European bistro setting. Burgers are pretty good.
*Cafe d'Alsace - romantic bistro setting. Food is decent.
*Yura - a staple for daily baked goods.
October 14, 2007
Slowing Down the Aging Process
NYC really has 2 seasons: hot, humid summers and cold, windy winters. As I head into the hibernation period, my body is telling me to slow down, relax, rest. Deepak Chopra has some interesting insights and tips into aging:
"There are three types of aging – chronological age (which is your age according to your date of birth), biological age (which is measured by looking at certain bio markers), and psychological age (which is dependent on your attitude.)
It is now known that psychological age correlates more closely to biological age than chronological age. If you have the attitude that you get better as you grow older in every way – physically, emotionally, spiritually and socially, then you will age in a much more graceful manner.
The well known biological markers of aging include: blood pressure, bone density, body temperature regulation, basal metabolic rate, immune function, sugar tolerance, muscle mass, muscle strength, skin hickness (amount of wrinkles) immune function, and sex hormone levels.
If you want to slow down or even reverse these bio markers of aging, then practice one or more of the following:
1. Change your perception of time. Don't be in a hurry.
2. Get restful sleep.
3. Eat fresh, nutritious food.
4. Take at least two multivitamins with minerals every day.
5. Practice a mind body technique such as yoga or tai chi.
6. Exercise regularly.
7. Don't put toxins in your life, including toxic food, toxic
emotions, toxic relationships, and avoid toxic environments or toxic relationships.
8. Have a flexible attitude to minor hassles.
9. Look at so-called problems as opportunities.
10. Nurture loving relationships.
11. Always have an attitude of curiosity, learning, and wonder and spend time with children."
"There are three types of aging – chronological age (which is your age according to your date of birth), biological age (which is measured by looking at certain bio markers), and psychological age (which is dependent on your attitude.)
It is now known that psychological age correlates more closely to biological age than chronological age. If you have the attitude that you get better as you grow older in every way – physically, emotionally, spiritually and socially, then you will age in a much more graceful manner.
The well known biological markers of aging include: blood pressure, bone density, body temperature regulation, basal metabolic rate, immune function, sugar tolerance, muscle mass, muscle strength, skin hickness (amount of wrinkles) immune function, and sex hormone levels.
If you want to slow down or even reverse these bio markers of aging, then practice one or more of the following:
1. Change your perception of time. Don't be in a hurry.
2. Get restful sleep.
3. Eat fresh, nutritious food.
4. Take at least two multivitamins with minerals every day.
5. Practice a mind body technique such as yoga or tai chi.
6. Exercise regularly.
7. Don't put toxins in your life, including toxic food, toxic
emotions, toxic relationships, and avoid toxic environments or toxic relationships.
8. Have a flexible attitude to minor hassles.
9. Look at so-called problems as opportunities.
10. Nurture loving relationships.
11. Always have an attitude of curiosity, learning, and wonder and spend time with children."
October 13, 2007
Uniqlo and Muji
Uniqlo is one stop shopping for me and my family. Staged in an enormous 3 story loft space in SoHo, the clothes are simple, modern, and affordable. An article in their current catalogue struck a chord with me. A New York writer describing this city as at once destroying you and at another instance making one feel like G-O-D. I've had both feelings. There is a bit of a love/hate relationship towards the city when you are living here on a daily basis. I have a similar feeling with the uptown/downtown thing. Looking forward for Muji to open in November.
There is something so zen-like in living in an apartment. Because of the small space, I'm a pretty good editor. We buy things we need for now. So no hording, pack-rat-ing (of clothes, books, toys, shoes, etc). I think I spend less time and money shopping because I'm always aware of our storage capacity.
There is something so zen-like in living in an apartment. Because of the small space, I'm a pretty good editor. We buy things we need for now. So no hording, pack-rat-ing (of clothes, books, toys, shoes, etc). I think I spend less time and money shopping because I'm always aware of our storage capacity.
Andrew and Emma Talk
Emma: I want to stand up and do pee-pee...like Andrew.
Andrew: I'm an expert of buses. Emma's an expert of words.
Emma: ( a few months ago)
G-G-Goose= Mother Goose
Rah=Andrew
stopses=stops (she picked up the addition of "es" to any word from Andrew)
bba bba bba=balloon
Emma: Andrew said not to put my feet on the table. (She, however, doesn't attribute that to me.)
Andrew & Emma: "bouncy, bouncy ready, set go!", as they bounce on edge of sofa and fall off.
October 11, 2007
Restaurant Reviews
Some interesting restaurants Matthew and I tried recently:
Meatpacking
Fig and Olive - a beautiful space with food to match it. There are olive oil tastings and the dishes remind me of vacationing in Italy.
Chelsea
Klee - decorated in mid-century furniture. Food is quite good considering it's Austrian.
The Park - dine in the wonderful indoor garden.
Flatiron
Eleven Madison Park - beautiful neoclassical space, food is very well done by its new chef.
Boqueria - great Flatiron tapas bar.
West Village
Perry Street - clean, minimalistic space. Food appears to match the room but is more interesting than it appears.
LES
Kampuchea - casual chic Cambodian food. Delicious.
Core 191 - nice outdoor space, food is fun and simple.
Freemans - food was good in an interesting lodge setting, but we were the oldest ones in the room.
Stanton Social - very good food in a nice loft setting.
Teany - we frequent this drink place for morning coffee/tea.
Queens
Jackson Diner - better than 6th St Indian food and very child-friendly in Jackson Hts.
SoHo
Cafe Noir - great French-Morrocan restaurant, good tapas.
TribeCa
Chanterelle - Matthew took me here 10 years ago before he proposed on the Brooklyn Bridge. It's been a good 10 years, M...
Meatpacking
Fig and Olive - a beautiful space with food to match it. There are olive oil tastings and the dishes remind me of vacationing in Italy.
Chelsea
Klee - decorated in mid-century furniture. Food is quite good considering it's Austrian.
The Park - dine in the wonderful indoor garden.
Flatiron
Eleven Madison Park - beautiful neoclassical space, food is very well done by its new chef.
Boqueria - great Flatiron tapas bar.
West Village
Perry Street - clean, minimalistic space. Food appears to match the room but is more interesting than it appears.
LES
Kampuchea - casual chic Cambodian food. Delicious.
Core 191 - nice outdoor space, food is fun and simple.
Freemans - food was good in an interesting lodge setting, but we were the oldest ones in the room.
Stanton Social - very good food in a nice loft setting.
Teany - we frequent this drink place for morning coffee/tea.
Queens
Jackson Diner - better than 6th St Indian food and very child-friendly in Jackson Hts.
SoHo
Cafe Noir - great French-Morrocan restaurant, good tapas.
TribeCa
Chanterelle - Matthew took me here 10 years ago before he proposed on the Brooklyn Bridge. It's been a good 10 years, M...
Staples
Matthew and I rarely frequented the same restaurant twice. However, apres children, we go to the reliable:
Dimsum go-go in Chinatown for unique dumplings even our kids love.
La Palapa is the best Mexican restaurant in Manhattan. The sauces are rich and flavorful and the prices are good.
Ssam Bar is a very interesting Korean fusion restaurant. Kimchi in burritos and organic braised beef in rice has just the right balance of east and west.
Billy's has the best cupcakes in Manhattan. Much lighter and less sweeter than Magnolia's. Also, great Chelsea location.
Dimsum go-go in Chinatown for unique dumplings even our kids love.
La Palapa is the best Mexican restaurant in Manhattan. The sauces are rich and flavorful and the prices are good.
Ssam Bar is a very interesting Korean fusion restaurant. Kimchi in burritos and organic braised beef in rice has just the right balance of east and west.
Billy's has the best cupcakes in Manhattan. Much lighter and less sweeter than Magnolia's. Also, great Chelsea location.
Bermuda
We went to Bermuda for Spring Break. It was Emma's first plane ride, but it was only a 2 hour flight. Bermuda's beaches are beautiful. We stayed at the Elbow Beach Resort. Bermuda has incredible, powdery pink sand and blue waters. The food, however, was mediocre.
Andrew's 1st Piano Recital
Andrew's been taking piano lessons for almost 2 years. I read that the first 6 years in a child's life is critical for absorbing musical and linguistic abilities. They are literally a sponge. After that, to a lesser degree until age 9. After 9, it becomes difficult to learn a foreign language or a musical instrument. I'm not necessarily pushing him to be a classical pianist, just to learn the rudiments and disciplines of music. So before his interests shift to sports and socializing, I'm trying to get piano lessons and Korean school into his weekly schedule. Andrew is organized and he does practice every day with my help.
So at his 1st recital, he played well and even sang a song, "Jack and Jill", impromptu. We were rather surprised but I learned that they sing solos in music class at school.
Summer 2007 Trips
Summer 2007 was mostly spent in NYC. Andrew had Summerday at Trevor. We did however, have a chance to relax in the Poconos, Fernwood Resort. It was a convenient, simple place, but so much fun for the kids and grannies. Extended family times are so treasured since we really don't see each other as much as we'd like.
We also visited Andrew's close friend, Stella, at their summer home in Westport, CT. The kids had a great time playing in the sand and water. For parents, the beach is an instant babysitter.
Saints Alp
We love Saints Alp. We've been frequenting the Village location for the past decade. The staff has seen me through 2 pregnancies. This is along Andrew's favorite bus route, the M101.
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