Piglet Gets an A!

I love Petunia but... she can be a monster. She has terrible separation anxiety, is extremely persistent and destructive. She will work all day to get what she wants. Even if that means her paws are bleeding from tearing up carpeting.

Today was her first day in the house by herself. I was concerned but told M that everything would be fine. We showed her the wee pad since we wouldn't be home until late and left it up to the universe.

Well, Miss Piglet made it through the day with flying colors. She held her poo until we came back, peed on her wee pad and didn't damage anything. I'm such a proud parent!

They're Still After Me

So after a delicious meal, we got back to the car and M said, "oh, they hit your side." Yes, there was a bird poo on the windshield aimed right at the passenger seat.

*Oyamel with M & C

C & M were visiting from San Fran! We met them and their friends at Oyamel. YUMMY! We ordered from their "little dishes from the streets" menu - mussels, strip steak, scallops. The mussels were the best we've had in a long time. I think it's the tequila it's cooked in. The steak was a bit salty but the scallops! YUM! I love me some scallops in pumpkin seed sauce. The food was beautifully prepared, creative and very unique. A fabulous evening.

Visiting with Fam

My father's brother and his family lived in Virginia so I have lots of fond memories of going to DC for the holidays, going to the space and air museum, eating hotpot, staying away from scary cat, trying to play ball with cousin M and getting great clothes from the other cousin M.

Cousin M had moved to Texas and what do you know, they were visiting Aunt V! I'm so glad to have had the chance to see them today and meet baby E for the first time!

Lemon Pepper Baked Chicken

Redemption. Despite my early morning culinary issues, dinner came out really well. I remembered a recipe that my friend B told me about where she marinated chicken with lemon pepper seasoning and mustard. I also thought about this delicious lemon roast chicken dish I had at O's where the potatoes were cooked with the chicken and soaked up all the flavors.

I marinated 4 boneless and skinless chicken thighs with coarse mustard, lemon pepper seasoning and fresh pepper. In a baking dish, I placed cut potatoes and drizzled olive oil. I lay the chicken over the potatoes and placed in oven at 425 for 25 minutes. The chicken was done but the potatoes weren't so I took out the chicken and poured out the juices. Potatoes went back in the oven for another 20 minutes. It came out really well, there wasn't too much of a mess and I'm excited about trying more one pot baked dishes. Maybe a seafood over rice!

Baby R Day 3

I can fly!

Rise...and Fall

I was in a serious culinary zone yesterday. Everything came out great: M's sausage and egg on an English muffin, chicken over rice with Cantonese ginger scallion sauce, stir fried green beans and the towering masterpiece you see before you - steamed flounder with ginger and scallion. I've been craving this dish for years - mom used to make it. The recipe is quite simple: marinate flounder in soy sauce, rice wine and julienned ginger. Put on plate with ginger and a little sauce. Steam for 5 minutes. Remove from sauce and top with fresh julienned scallion. Heat vegetable oil and pour on top.

The incredibly difficult part was the make shift steamer I concocted. How I did not sustain any injuries is a miracle. And it was so delicious. Exactly what I had been craving.

So, today, it all went downhill. M's tomato, egg white and Canadian bacon sandwich was a flop and she ended up with tomato on her sweater. I burned my egg white, toast and tomatoes as well as the sausages. And my cupcakes were undercooked and I'm not a fan of the mix. It was too sweet and had a weird grainy consistency. And it is only 10 AM. I really hope my cooking improves the rest of the day.

Little Man

Day 2 of Baby R fun! I like the middle photo because it looks like he is planning on taking over the world. And then the third photo where Z has to talk him out of his nefarious scheme.

1:1 Dog to Human Ratio

Today Baby R worked from home. He's quite the demanding boss but we understand his drive for excellence. He gave us a lot of pep talks and did an impressive poo that spewed out the front and back of his diaper! Imagine, poop that squirts up your back into your neck folds! Impressive!

We're Here

It was a little chaotic. We barely got the car unpacked before the skies broke open. Then Petunia went nuts over Kobe, the ginormous German Shepard M was babysitting. After all the ruckus and trying to keep the dogs from running out when we were running it my stuff, we had a lovely meal. M had gotten us amazing seafood for dinner.

And, a home cooked meal from later in the weekend.

Boudoir shot of Petunia in her new bed! So, yeah, I'm not good at picking out sizes, I had originally gotten a smaller bed that M said was way too small. She was right. Poor Petunia's rear end was hanging off the edge. The medium sized bed was much better and she actually likes it.

The Big Move

See you later childhood home, mom and Dr. Do. About 90% of my crap fit in the car - see black Hyundai Sonata in the driveway but we'll pick it up when we come back on Mother's Day. It all started well.

Until the NJ Turnpike was SHUT DOWN! The whole friggin turnpike was closed and what is normally a 3.5 hour trip turned into a 6 hour ordeal! Petunia was great and for some reason enjoyed sleeping with her face in the water bottle. I did walk her at a rest stop at around 6 PM - good thing since she devoured an entire package of chocolate eggs and pistachios that Dr. Do left on the coffee table. Yeah, she really had to go.

Move for Around $100

Well, I'm all packed and ready to go. I am proud to say that this move has cost me around $100. $88 to rent the car (ok, there is some anxiety that not everything will fit in the car but M assured me that we can get the rest of the stuff on Mother's Day), and $12 or so for trash bags and packing tape. I took boxes from the back of the hardware store and used some of the paper I shredded in place of bubble wrap. Add a couple bucks for gas and there you have it!

I Heart Chuck

Wow, is it just me or is TV REALLY good? Now I know why Dr. Do never leaves the couch.

I used to catch bits and pieces of Chuck when I'd come home on Monday nights. Dr. Do would, of course, already be watching it. I liked the nerd herd, Buster, great story line, and really strong female characters. It is smart, funny, tender and each character is lovable.

This last episode - Chuck vs. the Colonel was JAM PACKED! I laughed, I cried, and I can't wait for the next episode.

God bless hulu.com.

I Am What You Young People Call A Puma

M called this morning on her way to work because she heard that a woman in her thirties who dates younger people is called a "puma" (a woman in her 40s or up is a cougar). This was funny because M's nickname is "pyooma." So, that makes us both pumas.

To validate what she heard, I googled it and came across this, " Species characteristics include a penchant for home decorating, an interest in dogs (the only other species they can live with), an avid consumption of home products such as tinfoil and Cheez Whiz, and a limited interest in technology. They have a high fat diet but are usually in shape because of sheer genetics and extensive shopping, dinner party planning and traveling. They often wear clothes that they're a bit too old for such as Spandex and high heels. They dye their hair and wear lots of makeup and jewelry. Cougars-in-training (i.e., women in their thirties) are called "pumas". Women in their twenties are "cougar cubs".

I protest the Cheese Whiz comment and vow to wear high heels and Spandex until the day I die.

New Show: Deadliest Warrior

You all know that I watch a lot of crap TV but there have been commercials for this new show, Deadliest Warrior, during my CSI shows. They take warriors from all over the world, throughout history, and pit them and their weapons against each other. They analyze short, mid and long range fighting and run a computer program to see who would win the most battles and how.

What is especially cool, besides the fact that I love history, is that they have current specialists, actual present day practitioners of ancient fighting techniques. And, thanks to modern technology, I can watch the ninja episode on my laptop!!!!

The internet viewing did not go well. The video kept stalling. The commercials were long and awful. And the ninja lost. I'm infuriated. What do the stupid biomedical engineer and computer programmer know? At least the Apache beat the Gladiator.

http://www.spike.com/show/31082

Annual Pilgrim Pilgrimage

Many of the people you see pictured below have seen me as a little kid, sucking my thumb and photocopying my face and hands. My father used to do technology work for the group and took me along. I consider them family.

When I started Wellesley, I interned for two summers and I really believe that laid the groundwork for my career in financial services. They have supported and guided me and I count them among my sources of inspiration.

Springtime in Leonia

My Childhood

I walked to my lunch appointment and got the opportunity to snap some photos. The first photo is the street to P.S. 2 where I went to school up to 3rd grade. I remember hating walking under the overpass because it stank and was full of pigeon poo. I'd get so grossed out about getting the poo on my shoes. I was also pooped on and it is no good to get to school with poop in your hair. P.S.2 had the best tire playground. I remember that nearly all my classmates were Japanese, I played a frog in the Aesop's fable musical, I won an award for a painting, I loved the holiday fair and eating the honeysuckles that grew on the playground fence.

The second photo is of the apartment we lived in when I was 2 years old to 9 years old. We lived on the top floor and the memories are too many to put down.

The last photo is of the corner store that dad would take us to every weekend for glazed doughnuts, popsicles or other treats.

Matchmaker, Matchmaker...

One thing I love doing is connecting people. Sometimes, it is a romantic connection and while I can't remember other matches I've made - I should keep a portfolio - I am quite proud of a match I made in 2006. They are still in love and it is beautiful.

So, every year I visit the office my dad used to work at and where I had interned in college. I met D last year but I got to know him a bit more today and I had a thought. He might be perfect for Dr. Do. So, I asked him a couple of critical questions - he is willing to try Morimoto, play Rock Band and meet Dr. Do. I also got a really good vibe from him, he's cute, a good guy from the midwest, he's smart and funny, studied as a molecular biologist, has a CFA and is currently a portfolio manager. His parents are musicians and his dad is also an archaeologist. I checked with another person at the office who confirmed he was a good guy, smart, hard-working and is doing well.

I sent them both an email to introduce them to each other since I wasn't able to get him out before I left on Saturday. I hope they reach out to each other, even to be friends.

Ooooo, he wrote back!

Et Tu, Green Tea?

Green tea has 15 milligrams of caffeine. Regular drip coffee has 115-175 and Red Bull has 80. I've enjoyed a morning green tea at work for the taste, nice warm comforting feeling and health benefits.

But, wow. I got off the green tea train and got hit by a 16 wheeler over and over again for 4 days. Really? My itty bitty cup of green tea could do that to a person? W confirmed it and said, "You're really sensitive." Basically, I can't handle my drinks and this is the first morning I hadn't felt like putting a pen through my temples.

S Factor: Level 5 Graduation

[in progress]

I'm really going to miss these incredible women. Some have been with me every week since level 1!

50th Street Station Mosaic

In my final days in NY, I've been snapping pictures of things in NY that I love. I am particularly enamored with the Alice in Wonderland mosaics in the 50th Street subway station.

It was so awesome to see N and give her this cute set of cards. I hope she and K like them.

Lump - Chapter 8

Honestly, while my medical experiences have been relatively smooth, there's always been a bit of chaos, stress, confusion and sometimes downright nastiness. The team at Memorial Sloan-Kettering have been nothing but thoughtful, pleasant, efficient, and organized. They are better than a pit crew at NASCAR! The facilities are comfortable, clean and nice. There are lockers and cute seersucker robes! There are light snacks and beverages and INTERNET! I'm blogging from the waiting room!

I can't thank S enough for telling me about Dr. H and for calling her on my behalf. I received a phone call to confirm the appointment and another to pre-register. Although I arrived late this morning (again, I just can't get out of the house at a decent time), they were understanding and got me all the paperwork I needed to fill out right away. The registration person came out to get me in minutes and in another few minutes, my friend D (who so kindly came to the appointment with me) and I were meeting with Dr. H's nurse (who had the same name as my previous manager!) who asked some questions and walked us through some things.

Dr. H was unbelievably cheerful, went over everything and was so great. Dr. H thinks it is a fibroadenoma, which is what I thought it was (see Lump - Chapter 1). Dr. H even said, "You should work here!" There was no other nodule and the tissue is normally dense for thin women. They made an ultrasound appointment for me at 1:30 PM which allowed me to meet W for a super delicious lunch. The radiologist said that she saw the mass and recommended that I get it removed. After my ultrasound, I walked down the hall and saw Dr. H and the nurse again. They went over my options, explained everything, gave me paperwork, answered all my questions and whisked me back out to make my pre-surgical, surgery and follow-up appointments.

They were able to fit me in for pre-surgical this afternoon, the surgery for the day after Mother's Day so M could take me, and the follow-up for the day after little bro's graduation. Dr. H will call me with the pathology results 8 days after the removal (limited resection) so we know exactly what it is. I mean, could it be more convenient? Everything done in one day and everything else done when I'll be in Jersey anyway. I am totally impressed and am so glad to be able to trust my care to them. Much thanks to all who have been so supportive.

*Cafe Mediterranean w/ W

[in progress]

Lump - Chapter 7

I will be meeting Dr. H this morning at 10:30 AM. D will meet me there and I am really thankful she can come with me. I packed my mammogram films and ultrasound CD. I wrote down my history so that I don't miss anything when I talk to the doctor. I also googled questions to ask: http://health.discovery.com/centers/cancer/breast-cancer/questions.html

Here goes.

High School Artifacts

Not that you need proof of my nerdiness but I present to you my high school artifacts. Note that I am a decorated debate team member (judge, thank you very much), band member (band president, drum major, flute and piccolo), and candy-striper (300+ hours). Plus, ticket stubs to my first concert (Depeche Mode) and musical (Cats). Ah, the memories.

Carpe Diem

Ikea runs these "Seize the Day" promotions and this deal was so good it got M out of the house before 11 AM to brave the crowds at Ikea all by herself. She didn't even get lost. Further, Ikea mediated M and my debate over number of place settings. She wanted 4 place settings, I wanted 8, so now, by Ikea's eternal wisdom, we have 6.

*Sanducci's Restaurant & Old Family Friends

I was supposed to visit E, C and baby J this afternoon but mom gave D and I her illness. I thought it best to stay at home and not infect the little one. I would hate to be responsible for baby J to get sick and need a spinal tap.

So, I gave up on the basement and went to attack the attic. Wow. I ended up shredding 4 large garbage cans of paper. While I did find some good stuff, I was really annoyed that I kept all that crap.

Our old family friends wanted to take us out to dinner to celebrate the move. My parents have known them since they lived in Taiwan so they've seen me since I was sucking my thumb. They like to point that out.
They picked a really good restaurant. I have never been there but the place was hopping.

Then the kids came over. J combed through all the hand me downs for some stuff. E rocked out with D. Mom debuted "Call Me." All in all, a very productive day.