Browse Category: life

Year in Review 2013

I’m a little late with this entry but January started and just kept running.  Here are a few highlights from 2013 – including the good and the bad.

Happiest Moment(s)
I have two very similar moments that are tied for Happiest Moment.  They both involve seeing old friends.

IMG_6823The first one was when I was in Portland and was reunited with Heather. IMG_0009 The second was my reunion with Dahlia when she and her husband were in town for the weekend from San Diego.  It was so much fun to see them again after 8 years.  I had missed them so much since we all graduated from OT school and this was such a special year for us.

Saddest Moment
Saying “goodbye” to Koa.  IMG_6321I still miss him so much.

Worst (and Hungriest) Moment
Waiting for my surgery.  IMG_0486I hadn’t eaten anything since the day before at 8pm and my surgery from pushed from 2 pm to 5 pm.  I had a raging headache and was slowly melting into my chair by 4pm when the nurse finally gave me some IV fluids.

Biggest Accomplishment
Breastfeeding Kumquat until she was 13 months old.

mothersday

It was tough to stick with it but also tough to let go at the same time.  I’m so glad that I did it for so long and happy that weaning was a piece of cake for Kumquat.

Biggest Failure
I didn’t lose all my pregnancy weight.
IMG_4180I was just 5 pounds away from getting back to my pre-pregnancy weight in May.  Then I stopped breastfeeding.  At that point, my metabolism came to a screeching halt and the pounds came back one-by-one.  Despite the running and cutting down on my intake, I am now 10 pounds away and stuck.  This is when being old really sucks.

Best Meal
Hm…I’d say it was probably any time that we’ve been to Hillstone.
IMG_6688 We went a lot this past year because they have good steak, free corkage, my favorite Key Lime Pie, consistent service, and Kumquat is always welcome.  We even went there for our 11th anniversary dinner AND brought Kumquat along.  Yep, that’s our life now.

Runner up was the meal we had at Morimoto.

uni carbonaraThe Uni Carbonara still makes my mouth water when I think about it.

Worst Meal
The meal that comes to mind is the night we went to Little Sheep Hot Pot. 

IMG_7033The food was decent but it was the experience that made it the worst meal of the year.  The meal involved a toddler seated in a tippy booster seat at a table with boiling water nearby.  She also just finished a 7-hour car ride and just wanted to run around in the booth touching all the breakable bowls and utensils (and of course the boiling pot of water).  Both of us didn’t eat much that night.

Best Vacation
Sibling Trip to Maui in March DSC_0531We rented a house in Maui with Brother, Joy, Jason, and Jia and had such a good time.  It was also when Brother and Joy secretly told me that they were expecting a baby.  What a great week.

Worst Vacation
We didn’t have one this year but my worst travel experience for the year was when we flew to Portland.  IMG_2551We took an evening flight and Kumquat wasn’t able to settle down in my lap.  She cried and fussed the entire 2-hour flight and finally fell asleep 10 minutes before landing.  *sigh* Luckily the flight back was better – aside from the 2-hour delay.

Overall, I’d say 2013 was a productive and eventful year.  We’re raising a great kid who turned 1 in 2013 and moved into toddlerhood without any major illnesses or problems.  I also became an aunt this year with the birth of Alice on Halloween.  This was our 6th year in SF and Jes was also promoted.  Living in The City hasn’t really gotten old yet and thankfully we haven’t outgrown our 1-bedroom condo just yet.  Life is good.  I have no complaints.

Happy 2014!

Girls’ Night Out

IMG_9151This is what Girls’ Night Out looks like for me nowadays.  We had been cooped up in the house all afternoon and Jes was still at work pretty late.  So, we packed up and went next door for margaritas/milk and tacos.  Eventually, Jes met up with us but it’s nice to know that I have someone to go out with now when the husband is out late.  We were still home in time to settle down and get to bed at the usual time.

BART Adventure

IMG_9069 The girls planned a Happy Hour this evening and I was up to the challenge of going home, packing up the baby (and her stuff), and taking her to Oakland by Muni and BART.  It was easier that I expected and actually pretty fun.  I enjoy my girl time with Kumquat and love seeing the world through her eyes.  IMG_9087Something as simple as an escalator is like a new adventure.  It was also neat to see how she was able to figure out when to step off the moving steps at the top.IMG_9071I was afraid she would want to wander off each time I had to let go of her hand to unfold the stroller and I thought she would mess around or turn into a potato on the floor while we transferred trains.  Instead, she held my hand and stayed put when she was supposed to.  She even managed to walk up the stairs at to the Rockridge station platform all on her own power without pooping out.  IMG_9083Having a toddler is tough sometimes but I can’t describe how proud I am of her each day.  She’s becoming such a big girl and while she impressed me at my Work Holiday Party, this adventure impressed me even more.

First Cruise

IMG_8291Over Christmas Break, I went on my first cruise and first trip to Mexico.  I was a little worried but excited about this trip all at the same time.  I was afraid the trip would be ruined by seasickness or food-borne illness.  But I was also excited to be taking a warm vacation and to see a little part of Mexico.

On Friday afternoon, we boarded the ship after getting a water bottle filled with vodka through security.  Heh heh.  We were also allowed one bottle of wine per passenger, which we honored.  It was just enough for the weekend.

IMG_8286The sunset was beautiful over Long Beach and the Queen Mary.

IMG_8312On our first night, we had dinner and then explored the ship as Kumquat slept in the stroller.  We found the library and played a mean game of Memory.  I think we could all use a game or two once in a while.  We all struggled with that game – especially Jason.

DSC_4293The next morning, we woke up in Ensenada, Mexico.  It was kind of cloudy in the morning but we went out for a walk anyway.  There were kids and other vendors right outside of the port and there were more throughout our walk through town. DSC_4256 DSC_4243 I felt so bad for all the kids selling Chiclets and cute little wooden turtles.

DSC_4246I also noticed A LOT of pharmacies selling Viagra.  I thought this was a funny sign.  This sticker over the “Happy Meals” is the funniest part.IMG_8345For lunch, we headed back to the ship.

IMG_0023Kumquat thoroughly enjoyed corn-on-the-cob for the first time.  Hilarious.

IMG_8361 While Kumquat napped on the ship with the grandparents supervising, we went back into town for a few cocktails.  IMG_8369IMG_8378Actually, I ended up throwing back 3 margaritas at Papas & Beer and also bought a hat for 8 dollars.  IMG_8389The sun came out and we got a table with a fantastic view of the street and the craziness at the bar.  Aaaah…it was a good afternoon in Mexico.

01p071In the evening, we went to dinner and it was formal night.  It was also the perfect opportunity for a family portrait.

IMG_8432The next day was called a Day at Sea.  I was up early because the motion of the boat had woken me up.  Jes and Kumquat were sound asleep at 6 am so I got dressed and went to the gym at the top of the boat.  IMG_8429The gym was really clean and the treadmills had a gorgeous view from the front of the ship.

IMG_8435I also went up to the running track and caught the sunrise.

IMG_8510Kumquat woke up next so we had a Mommy & Me breakfast on the deck.

IMG_8475The rest of the day was spent out by the pool reading while the grandparents hung out with Kumquat on some other part of the ship.  The sun was out but it was windier than I was hoping for.

IMG_8503One of the quintessential things about cruises is the towel animal that appears on your bed each evening.  This one was my favorite, of course.IMG_8511By the last night, I was feeling pretty confident I was in the clear of any illnesses.  This was one of the things I appreciated the most on this ship.  Of course there were Purell stations everywhere but I was pleasantly surprised to see these in the public restrooms since there were no paper towels to dry your hands.IMG_8514On our final morning on the ship, I woke up super early.  So, I went down to the cafeteria to get a cup of coffee and to get some internet access since we had docked in Long Beach already.  I actually found Jason there working down there too.  As the sun was coming up, I got a picture of Long Beach from the deck.

IMG_8340We had a great trip and spent some good family time together.  I think it was a good beginner’s cruise for us all and I’m proud to say that I didn’t need to tap into the Dramamine and no one got a stomach bug.  I guess we are now warmed up for another cruise one day.  The food was decent, our room was clean, and I learned that cruises are good for families with small kids.

Dual Birthday

IMG_7716On Saturday, we went to CuriOdyssey for Bang and Rowan’s birthdays.  It was nice to catch up with old friends.  IMG_7731These boys were roommates back in college and I love that some things haven’t changed despite all these years and so many life-changing events.

IMG_7729

I loved seeing Kumquat sitting at the kid table.  That’s Rowan, the birthday boy, eating his lunch.IMG_7730This is the picture of Reese thoroughly enjoying some cake for once.  She’s allergic to dairy and usually doesn’t get to having any birthday cake.  Vyl made a gluten-free-dairy-free cake and she loved it.

IMG_9048Happy Birthday to Bang and Rowan!!