Stitch!!

Brunch with Lili and Stitch

Tumbleweeds!

There was a big one stuck on the car earlier.

Sand storm on I-5

Two weeks later...

The World in a Bright Light

The following was sent in my DailyOm emails and it couldn't have happened on a more perfect day. Today I spent 3 hours watching families in need pick up their Christmas gifts. Mothers nearly in tears over the generosity of others in giving them things they needed and items their kids wanted.

One lucky family walked away with two bikes for their boys and another got a much needed car seat and another a high chair for their baby. The gratitude in their faces really reminds me of everything that I have. That I don't need to worry about having basic necessities, that I have a warm home to go to at night, that I can let the heater run without worrying how high my utility bill will be. I can go out to eat knowing I have income right now and that I can save money as well.

Today, I am very blessed and very grateful for the little things in my life. :)

December 17, 2008
The World in a Bright Light
Grateful

Everyday is a blessing, and in each moment there are many things that we can be grateful for. The world opens up to us when we live in a space of gratitude. In essence, gratitude has a snowball effect. When we are appreciative and express that gratitude, the universe glows a bit brighter and showers us with even more blessings.

There is always something to be grateful for, even when life seems hard. When times are tough, whether we are having a bad day or stuck in what may feel like an endless rut, it can be difficult to take the time to feel grateful. Yet, that is when gratitude can be most important. If we can look at our lives, during periods of challenge, and find something to be grateful for, then we can transform our realities in an instant. There are blessings to be found everywhere. When we are focusing on what is negative, our abundance can be easy to miss. Instead, choosing to find what already exists in our lives that we can appreciate can change what we see in our world. We start to notice one blessing, and then another.

When we constantly choose to be grateful, we notice that every breath is a miracle and each smile becomes a gift. We begin to understand that difficulties are also invaluable lessons. The sun is always shining for us when we are grateful, even if it is hidden behind clouds on a rainy day. A simple sandwich becomes a feast, and a trinket is transformed into a treasure. Living in a state of gratitude allows us to spread our abundance because that is the energy that we emanate from our beings. Because the world reflects back to us what we embody, the additional blessings that inevitably flow our way give us even more to be grateful for. The universe wants to shower us with blessings. The more we appreciate life, the more life appreciates and bestows us with more goodness

Nyokki after a week..

If you squint you can see...

Christmas lights on the car's back window and antennae!

Sent from my iPhone

Sprinkles!

Traffic!!

Boston!

Clusters

Usually you find chairs at the airport in rows, well in the American
Airlines area at SFO they're clusters. I wonder if it's a strange
social experiment. Instead of sitting down with a space between you
and the next person, there doesn't seem to be much space at all.
Instead you're almost forced to look into each others eyes if you
happen to look up at the same time. It definitely feels a bit
weird. :D

Battle with the laptop continues!

He was sitting on the bed and suddenly jumped off to wedge himself in
the crook of my arm.

Trying to invade and get it out of the way

Morgans jealous of the attention the laptop is getting

resurrection

My friend used to have a site where a few of us would post poems, random thoughts, etc. My postings used to consist of anguished thoughts about love. It's so funny how much has changed in the last 5 years. Loss is incredibly relative, when you're a child, losing your teddy bear is the end of the world, when you're a teenager, it's that crush... heck when you're an adult it's still that crush.

Five years later, it's my grandfather, my mother, my grandmother, and my best friend.

Now the hope of love is something I cherish and when that love comes it will be wonderful and if it is lost, it was an experience I can treasure... because losing something greater, makes one that much more grateful for everything else.

Dirt from the Handrails at SFO

Bed, Bath and Beyond

All I want is a frame for my poster, this is so overwhelming.

Snuggle Time

I can't believe I ate all that!

I went to Harry's Hofbrau for dinner last Monday and ordered a sliced ham dinner. I didn't think I'd finish everything.. must've been hungrier than I thought! :) A bit pricy, but not too bad. I like the German potatoes, might need to try to beef stew next time. There was a lot on the menu, it did remind me a bit of the beer halls in Germany.

Wish I could rest like this...

Morgan found a cool spot

My Review of Kelty Cabana - Large

Originally submitted at REI

Don't let sun or rain interfer with your big plans. Take this portable, freestanding shelter to the festival, the beach or the campsite.

Kelty Cabana - Large

Great for California Beaches!

By vicki the explorer from San Jose, CA on 8/27/2008

 

4out of 5

Pros: Comfortable, Sturdy, Lightweight, Easy To Set Up

Best Uses: Beach

Describe Yourself: Casual/ Recreational

What Is Your Gear Style: Minimalist

I bought this because I was going to be at the beach all day from 9am-10pm (bbq to bonfire). I wasn't sure if I was going to use it, but the dog was getting hot so I set it up. The moment it was up, he walked in and took a nap. With a breeze it works great and is very roomy and protected all our stuff. It was nice at night as a block against the wind. The ventilation was great with the light breeze.

(legalese)

Happy Birthday to Me!

Seabright 9:18 am

Maroon 5 - Goodnight, Goodnight

The first time I heard this song I loved the guitar in the beginning. Still love it, the music itself feels bittersweet to me.

A Nice Plant

iPhone camera fritzed out!

Fuzz Butt

Kids and Crackers :)

I was going through my purse and noticed a ritz cracker and had to laugh. At hula my friends daughter was 'eating' these crackers and we didn't realize until later that she was actually stuffing them into things... namely our purses.

I wondered what was going on in her thought process. Her daughter is adorable and it's been fun watching her grow and discover new things. Recently she started repeating things people say so now we're going to have watch what comes out of our mouths! There's a delight in the simplest things and you can see the joy on her face after a "discovery".

I found about six ritz crackers with cheese in my Coach purse at the end of class, but I couldn't be mad at her. There was just so much delight in using her hands and her mind. I think when I have kids though I better get a cheaper purse that can withstand food and possibly drinks. :)

A Cut That Helps Others

(published on the Cupertino Daily!)

By Vicki Yang

With all the budget cuts and not favorable economic conditions, there’s one cut that can benefit not only you, but a cancer patient - a hair cut! There are numerous organizations out there that collect hair to create wigs for cancer patients who lose theirs through chemotherapy.

A few years ago I decided after decades of long hair, I was going to take a risk and chop my hair short. I had grown it out to 10 inches and decided to donate it to Locks of Love (www.locksoflove.org). It’s great to know that all that hair went to someone who really could use it, plus it reduced the amount of hair I shed all over my place and I was saving money on shampoo! Not to mention, washing/drying time was significantly cut short, as was styling time.
After that, I started to grow my hair out again, after two years of growing it I found out a friend of mine had been diagnosed with Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma. She was lucky in that they caught it when they did and that there was an 80% chance they could cure it. I made a promise to her that I would continue to grow my hair until she beat the cancer and I'd cut it and donate it to an organization that made wigs for cancer patients. Over the next 6 months, we talked, we cried, we laughed, and she stayed strong. I can honestly say she’s one of the most positive and most amazing people I know.
Despite her moments of despair, anger, and sadness, she would come out of it later with a renewed hope and strength. I did my best to always be there for her, but in some ways I think she did more for me than I did for her. She went thought chemo, lost all her hair and we sent her wigs and care packages. She made sure to take photos with her crazy wigs and even got wigs for the holidays (ie. green for St. Patty's day). This past May, her scan showed that she was clean and the cancer was gone. She's still going through radiation therapy but in a few weeks that will also be finished. Her journey is a constant reminder to all of us about how strong human nature can be, and how important it is to value life and never underestimate positive thinking.
During her battle with cancer I managed to grow out about 14 inches (at the longest piece) and went to Armando (www.getyourdoup.com), a friend of mine to have it cut. This time I chose to donate my hair to Pantene's Beautiful Lengths program in honor of my friend. I believe this is the only program that makes wigs for adult women who are cancer patients. You can find more information about them here: www.beautifullengths.com.
I can only imagine the feeling of losing your hair and feeling sick and not knowing if you’re going to be healthy again. Growing my hair and donating it, is only a small way to help those feel a little more like themselves and something I plan to continue to do as long as I can. I admire people who can stay positive when times are tough, they are a reminder that we should be thankful for everything we have and for life itself. If you would like more information on how to donate your hair, please visit: www.squidoo.com/donateyourhair.

Elizabeth Arden has jumped onto the vending machine bandwagon!

Fire's Out!

Firefighters to the Rescue

Van Fire outside of Hula

Bay Area Driver's Watch Out!

I was in Illinois a little over a year ago and my friend told me that Illinois highway patrol drive unmarked white cars, there are so many that my speedy friend is afraid to speed... well it looks like that trend has come to California. I was driving home after dropping my friend off at the airport and there was a copy with an unmarked car who had pulled someone over.

Now.. you maybe be thinking something hot, like a white camero, or a white SUV or a black crown victoria right? NO. It was this ugly gray that you see on a lot of Lincoln town cars, in fact the car looked like a cross between the regular Crown Victoria's and a Lincoln town car. It was something you might imagine a blue haired old lady driving while she can barely see over the steering wheel. Yup.. we're in trouble.

I have to admit it was amusing, the cop looked totally out of place standing next to the vehicle. The only reason I really knew it was a police car was because of the red/blue lights in the back window. I guess I should start slowing down and paying closer attention! That may not be an old lady driving that car coming up behind you!

warm summer nights

warm summer nights
like kissing with your eyes close
i love the heady scents it brings out
without the heat of the sun on your skin
cool breezes like sweet caresses
feelings of pure joy and happiness
breathing in deeply that there is life
feeling the soft heat on my skin
under moonlight, smiling
i'm in love with summer nights

SF airport

I miss the days when we could greet people at the gate. I have a
friend who used to always pick people up at the gate.

Fancy Udon with real Crab!

Yogurtland in Cupertino

I'm so excited they opened a Yogurtland in Cupertino! I was heading
home early from work because I wasn't feeling well and saw my coworker
with the container. I thought..couldn't hurt right?

Fro-yo is good for a sore throat :D. I drove over, managed to find
parking right across from the store. Ran in and got my favorite
combo, green tea/mochi balls and mango/fresh mango bits. It's the
perfect combo of sweet and tart! I'm sooooo happy right now!!!

Are you a carrot, egg, or coffee?

A carrot, an egg, and a cup of coffee...You will never look at a cup of coffee the same way again. A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.

Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil; without saying a word. In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl.

Turning to her daughter, she asked, 'Tell me what you see.' 'Carrots, eggs, and coffee,' she replied. Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg. Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma.

The daughter then asked, 'What does it mean, mother?' Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water. Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.

'Which are you?' she asked her daughter. 'When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean? Think of this: Which am I?

Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength. Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hard ship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same,
but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart? Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor.

If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest, do you elevate yourself to another level? How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean? May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human and enough hope to make you happy. The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything that comes their way.

(my friend who is battling cancer posted this story it on her blog after someone sent it to her with the subject line: you're a cup of coffee - she is definitely the coffee :D)

Manjyu which used cheese

Bon Jovi

I told Joyce I was hungry...

Daughtry

Humane Society of Silicon Valley's 5th Annual Fur Ball

I've been wanting to go to the Fur Ball for the last few years and finally got my chance this year! Besides the $250 price tag for the event keeping me from attending before, I never had friends who wanted to go. Go figure.. the one who works at a non-profit is the one spending her weekends volunteering and donating money she has a hard enough time earning. :P While her engineering friends are buying houses and jet setting away to exotic destinations (okay.. mostly Tahoe and the like but still). Luckily this year I had a whole group of friends to go with! Even better.. Woz let our group take over his table at the Fur Ball.

So I went out got a dress for $43 (yeah, go Jessica McClintok outlet!), got Morgan a tux for $23 (which was almost as much as my dress), a necklace for $26 (I later realized I had something similar.. oops), dolled myself up, even curled my hair and put on full make-up! I felt like I was going to prom, so once I was all dressed up - off I went!


Morgan was a fantastic date, he only tried to pick fights with 2 other dogs (they were sniffing him the wrong way) and he sat so still for his caricature and watercolor. The caricature was done by Jodi Carr of ArtyParty. I think she did a great job in making me look glamorous, don't you?


It took a lot of treats to have him sit for 20 minutes straight, which might have given him the tummy ache the pet psychic said he had later (either the treats or the random stuff he hoovered off the floor). In the middle of the event, he ended up napping on my lap. Of course he started to feel better when I brought my dinner plate back - steak, chicken, ravioli, and salad! Yum! The steak was great. There were also lots of wineries there too. LaFondue even had a booth and were handing out cups of strawberries, marshmallows, and snickers bars covered in chocolate. Volunteers were also cruising the floor with trays of chocolate cake and macaroons - the lemon meringue macaroons were to die for! Outside of appetizers.. they were also walking around with plates of kibble. :D

The best part of the night were my dinner companions - pure entertainment! Many thanks to Loretta for baby sitting while I went to grab our plates of food. To John and Keith for their random acts of dance and making faces across the table (okay the latter was more John than Keith).


My favorite part is the look on Kitai's face as John is dancing...


It's fantastic!! Also at our table were Russell and Nick, Russell works at Dogster.com, which I have to thank, because without Dogster, I would have never met Stacie! Which is actually how I got introduced to the MND crew and at the Fur Ball at Steve Wozniak's table.
All in all it was a fantastic, comical evening. Can't go wrong with pairing a formal, black tie event and animals. :D Morgan and I were both exhausted at 10:00, so we left the event shortly thereafter and headed home. Both of us took a quick nap before ended the evening with a donut. This truly was prom, dance is over, head home, girls change into sweats, go out for junk food and the men stay in their tuxes because heck.. they spent a pretty penny on them and better get FULL USE out of them!

The End.