NaBloPoMo the end, and a recipe! (#30)

Finally, we've come to the end of the month. I'm so relieved. I didn't miss any NaBloPoMo days this year, posting 30 blogs in 30 days. I've tried to keep it interesting, but some of those days all I had in me was to just post a few photos and be done. Next time if I'm taking an online class, I won't do this. Just too much stuff going on this month.

I've enjoyed the time off this long holiday weekend to do catchup. It was a low key Thanksgiving for me. I stayed home while Tony took Maiya and his dad to Thanksgiving at Tony's uncle's house. I did laundry, homework and dishes. That night, we went to the Ayala's as usual for dinner and played games, that was a lot of fun. Friday, I stayed home and wrote a paper, finishing up about 4-5 loads of laundry. Tony took Maiya out for errands. Then yesterday, we went to visit Laura and kids in their new house, then drove up to the mountains to clean and organize Tony's dad's house. I worked on the kitchen and the laundry room, sorting things to give away, tossing old food and clearing the cupboards and fridge, while Maiya watched a DVD. Tony was on the roof clearing the raingutters and trimming overgrown pine trees, I have never been so scared in my life. Today, on my agenda is the last 2 homework assignments in my class, Farmer's Market, Trader Joe's, more laundry (ugh), the gym and play with Maiya.

***

Anyways, I just saw a cool recipe on my stickies, and I don't think I've ever put it on here. It's the easiest oatmeal cookies you will ever make, just 5 ingredients, and I found it on the bax of an oatmeal box. It's one of those easy recipes that a small child can do with you.

Easy Oatmeal Cookies
2 cups oatmeal
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg
4 TBS veggie oil
2 TBS maple syrup (i used a low sugar one)

I also added 1 TBS honey, just because i like honey.

So we mixed it all up real well, waited 15 minutes for everything to soak into the oatmeal. Then, drop spoonfuls onto greased cookie sheet into rounds, flatten with a wet fork, then put in oven for 10-12 minutes at 375. Cool, then transfer with a spatula. Need to store in a tight container.

They tasted like soft granola bars. I think some might like them harder, but I liked em kind of soft. It made about 12 cookies. I never knew how easy they were to make.

***

Okay, well, don't look for me to blog tomorrow. I think I might take a few days off.

Grace on Living for Change (#29)

Maiya Grace with Big Grace in April 2007

Here is an excerpt from Grace Lee Bogg's new article in the Michigan Citizen (Nov. 30-Dec. 6):

"Two weeks ago in my first post- election column, I wrote that I will not be among those organizing or participating in protest demonstrations against Obama’s actions or inactions, trying to hold his feet to the fire. Neither will I wear a hair shirt, regretting that I voted for Obama instead of Ralph Nader or Cynthia McKinney whose policies are more in line with mine.

That is because my support for Obama was never based on his policies or promises which, with few exceptions, are not that different from those of other Democrats. From the outset my eyes were on the people at his rallies, especially the youth who, inspired by his persona and his eloquence, shed the fears instilled by the Nixons, Reagans and Bushes since the 60s and, imbued with a new hope, began organizing on his behalf.

For me, not just Obama’s victory but that transformation of “we the people” from Fear to Hope, from passivity to activity, from looking on as spectators to participating as citizens was what was so historic about this period.

As I wrote last week, “Every time Barack insisted that it was not about him but about us, we were reminded of our potential for becoming a better people and a better country. When he talked about change we can believe in, and we shouted back “Yes we can,” we were discovering the room for growth in ourselves.”

Now that the campaign is over, let’s not turn all our attention to the Oval Office, constantly comparing Obama and his actions or inactions with FDR and the New Deal, refusing to face the reality that our time is not the 30s. and forgetting the millions who were transformed during the campaign and who need to continue this process of transformation into active citizens if we are to save our planet and ourselves.

Instead of throwing billions at the economy in order to get our financial system working again, we need to take steps, however small to begin with, towards creating a local sustainable economy that enables us to work, eat, and take care of our families, bring the neighbor back into the ‘hood. and slow down global warming. Together we can create a local food system, local health clinics, local safety and security committees – and happiness."

Visiting with Family (#28)

Last month, Granny Franny and Zeyde Don came to visit for the weekend. We had dinner with Tony's Grandma Shereley's friends, Uncle Izzy and Aunt Sarah and their daughters at Soup Plantation. We also went to the Farmer's Market and house hunting on Sunday afternoon. That evening, a bunch of family came over for a get together on Fran & Don's last night. We ordered LA Vegan Thai takeout. For some reason, we don't have pictures of Beth, Brian, Erin, Valerie and my parents. Maiya had fun with her godcousin Erin, they were in the playhouse in the dark while the daddy's screamed and shook the playhouse and lit up the night with their cell phones. Fun stuff.

Granny Franny and Maiya playing blocks

Don & Uncle Izzy

Fran, Aunt Sarah and Patty

Fran checking out the chili wreaths at the Farmer's Market

Maiya sampling the plums and Asian pears
Asking Cousin Danika to read "Momotaro"
Maiya's cousin Chris

Visiting with Aunt Gail, cousin Robin and family

Celebrating Fran's 60th

Thanks-giving (#27)

JK: Happy Thanksgiving Maiya!
MG: I thank-for my mommy and my daddy.

That about sums it up for me.

Here's a little something that showed up on our lunch table at work. It's a cream puff turkey with a coffee flavored tiramisu-like cake inside. It's a good vegetarian alternative!

Happy Thanksgiving

Read-A-Thon Brings Tears All Around

Today, I went to our Mommy & Me class for our Family Literacy program, the day before Thanksgiving. It's one of the fantastic programs that I manage. It was exciting because we were celebrating National Family Literacy Month and revealing the winner of our Read-A-Thon contest.

When I got there, there were about 10 mommies, and 20-25 children ranging from newborn infants, mostly preschoolers to about 10 years old. They were doing circle time, and singing and dancing together some songs in Spanish. Then, Meliza, our Family Literacy Cordinator, passed out yellow paper shaped like corn or a flower, for people to write down what they were thankful for, and then she was posting them on the bulletin board. Then they moved to lunch, where they talked about things they were thankful for. We ate baloney sandwiches, mac n' cheese, mashed potatoes, and corn. They also had centers for playing with playdough, fall leaves and Thanksgiving foam art, computer games for children, and a cozy reading area.

Then, we all gathered around for the Read-A-Thon, a challenge to read the most number of books during a 3 week period of November. The mommies had to complete a log with the book name, time spent reading the book, and write a report on each book in order to receive credit. They borrowed the books from our Lending Library, the local public library, and from our preschool. They had to write a paragraph what the book was about, then there was a space for the child to scribble or draw a picture related to the story. Meliza had put together a beautiful gift basket for the winner with books, games, gift certificate to Barnes & Noble, makeup kit, and we got these great canvas book bags from our funder First5LA for everyone, with free books and other supplies and gifts inside, with treat bags and balloons for each child.

The winner read 123 books in the last few weeks. When Cecilia and her 4 children were announced the winners, her oldest boy, about 10 years old, started yelling, and doing some crazy break dance moves right there on the floor, like he was a caterpillar, shocking everyone with his excitement. He started crying, and then Cecilia started crying and smiling, and then the 2nd son maybe 8-9 years old started to cry, and then the older girl, maybe 5 years old also started to cry. And then, the entire room was crying. I couldn't understand a word of what was happening, but happy tears were streaming down my face.

Cecilia came to this country about a year ago with her 4 children, and joined our Family Literacy program. Her oldest son forgot how to read shortly after arriving and during a difficult adjustment to a new culture and a new life. Cecilia explained how her son couldn't read, but then through this Read-A-Thon and being in the Family Literacy program, of which one of the 4 components is to engage in literacy activities with your children, he remembered how to read, and that is what she was thankful for. (Adriana, the preschool director explained to me that this is common when children are trying to learn a new language, that they forget how to read in the home language.) She said that the time they spent reading brought their family together. So it was far more important than the prize, but how it changed and changes their family.

As a group, our mommies read 559 books in just 3 weeks. For our mommies, who attend English, computer and parenting classes with us 5 days a week, engage in interactive literacy activities at home, and send their children to our preschool or our family child care providers, it is indeed these success stories that make our work so meaningful.

$1.99 and 100% (#25)

I saw unleaded gas for $1.99 today! Oh, actually, we saw no-brand name gas for $1.75 in Pasadena this weekend. And in other good news, I woke up at 4:30 this morning to study, and just finished my online exam for my class, got 100%. Yay!

And, here's a random photo...

Me & Maiya stage managing the Manzanar Pilgrimage, April 2007

NaBloPoMo #25, 5 more to go!

Today's MG-isms (#24)

In the car this morning: Mommy, when I am 4 years old I want to go on a airplane. I want to go on a airplane to Granny Franny's house. Can I go to Granny Franny's house? Is it very far away?

In the car tonight:
JK: Did you know that Thanksgiving is this week?
MG: I thanks-ful for Mommy and Daddy.

Laughing hysterically at a Greg & Steve Song:
MG: Mommy, I can't stop laughing at this funny song! (Pause) Mommy, L says that I am not funny. She says that H is a funny boy, but I am not a funny girl. But I AM funny!
JK: What? Maiya, you are very funny. You're the funniest girl I know.
MG: I know!

Mommy cooking dinner tonight (Hamburger Helper--ground turkey stroganoff):
MG: Mommy is not a very good cook.
JK: Maiya, just because I don't cook very often doesn't mean I'm not a good cook.
MG: But daddy is a good cook... and you're a good cleaner!
JK: Oh.
MG: But daddy isn't a very good cleaner, is he?
JK: Hmm. You're right. Daddy isn't a very good cleaner but he is a good cook.

Just now on the 1973 red rotary dial phone (not plugged in) next to me: "Hi Kaylee, where are you? Grandma Machi's house? Oh, hold on a minute. Mommy, she's at Grandma Machi's house. Umm, Kaylee? Are you working with Grandma Machi? Oh, you are? Mommy, she's working with Grandma Machi. Uh huh, what are you doing? Auntie Gayle's there? Oh! So? Oh are you having fun there? No? Mommy she's not having fun there. Oh? She said yes. She changed her mind mommy. Bye bye."

Right now she is reading all the numbers on the channel labels for our vintage 9" Sharp TV. Ok, I got to get this girl in the bath and to bed. Then I have to read and outline a chapter and study for Exam #2 in my class. Have to complete it tonight or tomorrow.

Farmer's Market Field Trip

I'm taking an Early Childhood Education online class. Here are some photos from my trip to the Farmer's Market today with one of my classmates. We're doing a group project, planning a field trip to the Farmer's Market. So these photos are for Group B - Lauren, Zarina and Janay. You can click on any of the photos for more detail.

Generic Farmer's Market photos:
Food Samples for children to taste:
Apples (& things you can make from apples):
The Honey Bee Booth and Display:
Arts and Craft for Kids:
Farmer's Market/Community Awareness:
*Brownies collecting "Pennies for Peace"
*Fire Dept Pancake B-fast for Toys for Tots:Kids at the FM:
Flowers (Kids Pick One Free):
There are learning opportunities everywhere, even at the Farmer's Market.

• We saw a dad say to his girls, "Hey look at this--this is how bees collect honey (science)."
• We saw kids waiting in line to pay with dollar bills in their hands (math/social).
• We saw kids water coloring painting with leaves and experimenting with salt (art).
  
• Kids are exposed to 7 different kinds of plums, and can taste the different varieties (science/math).
• We learned that all of the food vendors accept WIC from low-income families (community).
• We saw a toddler dancing to music from a DJ (music).
• Another toddler was pointing to the letters on one of the posters (early literacy).

And it's all about eating organic and locally grown, healthy fruits and vegetables.

A Busy Saturday (#22)

Busy day today. Got up about 7:30, blogged, ate a little breakfast, then me and Maiya went to Cousin Kaylee's soccer game. Very hot day, but fun to watch the little girls run around and play soccer. Maiya was getting overheated, so we went back to the cool side of the town, picked up Ono's Hawaiian BBQ for lunch, 99 cents worth of frozen yogurt, got gas (only $46!), then went to Uncle Bill's to have lunch. When Tony got back from dialysis with Larry, we went over to Mike & Laura's to help them unpack from their move to their new house. It was fun watching the 3 kids and helping, but overall a pretty long and tiring day.

So I'm running low on things to share for NaBloPoMo. Anyone have any requests? I'll try to be more energetic tomorrow or at least write something more meaningful, but right now I'm even boring myself. Yawn. Oh yeah, I have to get up at 5am to pick up Lily from the airport. Night all.

Losing Steam (Backposting NaBloPoMo #21)

Ok, I missed it again. NaBloPoMo. Not sure why I feel the need to justify... worked until 5:50 pm yesterday, then picked up Maiya from preschool and got to Uncle Bill's house by 6:55 pm. Sat on the couch maybe 5 minutes, then got on the computer until Tony called me for dinner. Spaghetti with Prego sauce, can't go wrong there. Got back on the computer to finish 2 homework assignments due tonight. Did I mention this online class is kicking my butt? I finished the two assignments after midnight while Tony & Maiya watched Kung Fu Panda, but didn't finish the reading for the 2nd exam which needs to be taken 11/23-11/25 and then did some online shopping and left Uncle Bill's about 1 am. Here's what I bought:

For KO Family: "Connection Parenting: Parenting Through Connection Instead of Coercion, Through Love Instead of Fear, 2nd Edition" Pam Leo; Paperback
For Jenni: "In Between Dreams"Jack Johnson; Audio CD
For Maiya: "Snack Time" Barenaked Ladies; Audio CD
For Tony: Not sharing. I think I'll give it to him for Christmas, but he put it in my shopping cart back in June.

Well I have a full day. We're going to Kaylee's soccer game, then helping M&L move and unpack, and I have to find time to read the last 2 chapters for my exam. Before I go, here's another 2 vintage photos from June 2005 (4 months old).
There's NaBloPoMo #21.

Ack #20!

Ack! I just realized that I missed NaBloPoMo #20! Well, I worked until 5:45pm, picked up Maiya, sat in traffic and got home at 7:20 pm, got on the computer, ate dinner, had a phone conference call meeting for a group project in my class from 8:30 till 10pm, then fell asleep on the couch watching ER.

Soooo, I'm backdating this post to 11/20. Not that anyone noticed. Or cares. Why we give ourselves these pressures to do certain things that don't really matter, is just beyond me.

And just for the heck of it, here's a classic photo that I love from October 2006 when it was all about the monkeys.

Rockett & Zoe @ Naya's (#19)

We had fun at Zoe & Rockett's Bday a few weeks ago at Naya's Garden, a very cool, independent indoor play place in Silverlake. Lots of cute kiddies, and great food. It was nice to see a lot of friends from work and their kiddies, as well as people like Sona and her parents J & J, who we haven't seen in ages.

Zoe (2) & Rockett (3)Can you just feel the fun?

Oh, got to run. Maiya's waking up from a late nap. She fell asleep on the table eating string cheese and green olive bread at 5:30 tonight.

Reminiscing with Ladan E. (#18)

Maiya and I met Ladan for dinner tonight at Zip Fusion Sushi. What a trip to see a good friend from 26, yes my young friends, 26 years ago. And no, we weren't childhood friends, we actually met back in 1982, our first days in college. Ladan and Takae lived across the hall from me and my roommate Maura. We had a lot of fun in those days, hanging out, studying together, eating bad dorm food, dancing to new wave and punk music, shopping at Express, going to Penguin's for frozen yogurt, Tommies for chiliburgers, and really, growing up together. Then 2 years in the dorms, we lived in the same apartment building for awhile.

We figured out that it has been 21 years since we've seen each other, many moons ago. It's so hard where to start when you haven't seen someone in that long. It's like, "Ok, so fill me in on the last TWO decades of your life!" and "Oh! I ran into so and so, oh gosh I guess it was like 10 years ago." It's also interesting to be having a grown up conversation with someone who remembers you as a naive 17 year old. But it was easy to pick up almost where we left off and joke around. Neither of us is the same person we were back then, a lot of water has passed under the bridge, but yet the essence of who we are deep down inside never really changes, does it?

Note to Ladan: It was so awesome to see you. Let's not wait another 20 years before we get together again. When I got home, I pulled out an old photo album that is falling apart, and found 3 photos of us. I'll try to scan them and get them to you. The 2nd photo of you above, was taken by Maiya. Jenni :)

Joy Brings Joy (#17)

On Saturday, we went to Baby Joy's Red Egg & Ginger/1st Birthday Party in Gardena. I found myself overcome with emotion as new parents Jenn & Bill described how Joy came into their life, all the way from China, and how she got her beautiful name. It was so wonderful to see how this sweet little girl has captured their hearts and enriched their lives in the few months she has been in their lives. Also at the party were two more little girls, who were adopted from China at the same time as Joy.

Maiya sharing cake with new friend Genevieve (Giselle and Dean's little girl)

Trying to take a family photo, although Maiya was not so into it. The smoke and ash from the fires was making it hard to breathe outside, but it made for interesting colors in the sky.

Walking...to end Homelessness (#16)

Yesterday, me and Maiya joined about 13 people from Team LTSC for the United Way HomeWalk 5K - raising funds and awareness to help end homelessness. It was a hot, beautiful, clear Saturday morning, almost to 90 degrees in November, so I was a-sweatin'. Luckily the walk was in the morning because by afternoon the ashes, smoke and heat from the Southern California fires filled the sky and made the air quality really bad. Three of these photos, the nice quality ones (below) are from Mickie O's FB pages, and are awesome.

This is my favorite picture by Mickie. I was so happy to find and bring our old stroller. Maiya only ended up walking about 2 blocks, which made things much easier for me. I didn't have to carry her or deal with any major crankiness.

Me & Noelle before the walk started

This was a cool mural. Everyone was stopping to take photos.

My best friend Maria from elementary school/high school and roommate (87-90) with her daughter Hope. I called her from my cell phone to find that we were walking only a few feet away from each other.

After the walk, Maiya and Kaylene started to run and scream and laugh. Instant friends.

Team LTSC

After the walk, we had to hit the road quick, because I needed to go to Costco Tire Center, then it was a quick shower and off to Baby Joy's Red Egg & Ginger Party. Maiya and I raised about $145 $205 to add to our team's fundraising goal. Big thanks go to Granny Franny & Grandpa Don, Grandma Machi & Grandpa Walt, Uncle Bill, Beth & Brian, Letty & Paul, Lily, Tony O and Yana. We appreciate all the support!

Dear Barack (#15)

President-Elect Obama (now that has a nice ring to it) is hard at work getting this country back on track, but he’s counting on input from all of us. I just signed a congratulations card to Barack Obama from MomsRising - Breadmakers and Breadwinners.

I also wrote in to share my vision for where President-Elect Obama should lead the country. Here's a note and the photo that I sent to Barack Obama tonight. It's not real eloquent, but it is from the heart and from the top of my head.

Dear Barack Obama:

Congratulations! Continue with the ideas that together we can help to change social policies for families. End the War in Iraq and find ways to help save the planet. Continue to listen to women and families. It's not just the middle class, but low-income families in our cities and rural areas around the country that need a change, to survive and thrive. Also, I'm sure you know about Prop. 8. in California. We need your help to repeal Prop.8 for marriage equality. Best wishes to you and your beautiful family in your new job!

Jenni

Now here's your chance to give your input, from the bottom up: http://www.change.gov/yourvision

Coming Soon on NaBloPoMo #16-#30: Joy's Red Egg & Ginger party and HomeWalk 5K for Homeless from earlier today. Still on the back blogger: Zoe & Rockett's Bday, Kyle's Bday, Granny Franny & Zeyde Don's visit... and more.

Rx for Time (#14)

Earlier this year, I went to a conference of Calif. Child Development Administrators. Dr. Richard Swenson gave a fantastic luncheon keynote on "A Special Moment in History: Managing Time, Stress and Health in an Unprecedented Era." Here's a prescription from Dr. Swenson... Rx for Time:

1. Be intentional.
2. Beware of excessive speed and multi-tasking as solutions.
3. Say "no" to non-priorities.
4. Tame technology.
5. Periodically disconnect.
6. Turn off the tv.
7. Simplify, unclutter.
8. Prioritize, get less done, but the right things.
9. Prune activity branches.

Anyways, it's good, solid advice. I'll start after this weekend, right after I finish reading Chapter 11 & 12 and do 2 homework assignments by Monday, work on a group project, do a 5K with Maiya, a Red Egg & Ginger Bday party, try to help our friends move, get new tires for the car (Tony), do laundry, dishes, check FB, try to see Dan Kwong's show at LATC, Great Leap in Leaps of Faith, go to the Farmer's Market, go to the gym, pay the bills, check out some open houses, NaBloPoMo some mo, and breath deep. Someday.

More Bento Mama - Part 2 (#13)

Don't know if you've been waiting for Part 2, but here is more of Maiya's bento lunches, from July to October.
This is Maiya's daily Breakfast Bag (made of CapriSun juice bags), with Trader O's, soy milk, and berries. Yes, she has breakfast in the car most mornings.
Pasta with red sauce and olives, blackberries, raspberries, blueberries and homegrown strawberries
PB&J flower sandwich with frozen corn, cranberries and wasabi covered peanuts and fuji apples
Blueberry/carrot/corn muffin, edamame, applesauce, strawberries
Bunny & Flower onigiri rice with edamame, carrots, frozen raspberries and blueberries
Pasta casserole with blueberries, kiwis and mixed berries
PB&J waffle sandwich, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries and peach slices

13 of 30...

To a Lady Who's... (#12)

Here's a poem that Tony found the other night mixed in with some paperwork. He wrote it 8 years ago, back when I was working at Great Leap, and working crazy hours, 10-12-14, even up to 17 hours a day during crunch time in August when practically all arts grants are due.

And even though today I am balancing work, marriage, raising a 3 year old, enrolled in a very time-consuming class, trying to work out regularly, keep the house together, still active in the community, on the Board of two organizations, house hunting, and now adding kiddie birthday parties and family get togethers more frequently these days, I have to say, life is pretty good, fairly balanced. Busy, but more focused (most of the time), and not nearly as stressful as it was 8 years ago, when it was all about work and community. What I love about the poem is the empathy in Tony's supportive words, back then. And even tonight, as he made dinner, gave Maiya a bath and put her to sleep with stories and books, while I finished my homework (due at 11pm tonight). Love to Tony who's... my best friend.

To A Lady Who's...
for Jenni
from Tony
on August 16, 2000

To a lady who's been working hard. Very hard.
To a lady who's been doing without sleep. Not much.
To a lady who's been under pressure. Lots.
To a lady who's been burning the midnight oil. To the last drop.
To a lady who's been pulling out her hair. Except the gray ones.
To a lady who's under-funded and over-budget. But who you can still count on.
To a lady who's eating fast food. On the run.
To a lady who's finally home. Safe.
To a lady who's in need of a hug. Maybe two.
To a lady who's... all mine.

Weird science (#11)

Not too long ago, I was googling things you can grow from seeds in your kitchen as developmentally appropriate science experiments for young children. I thought, hmm, someday when I have more time. Anyways, happy to be off for Veteran's Day, after making chocolate pancakes with free-trade cocoa and Halloween candy for breakfast this morning, I was putting away the dishes from the dish drain that Tony had washed on my birthday 9 days ago (I had asked Tony for a clean kitchen for my birthday). And no, that's not how long it's been since I've washed dishes, but we've been eating out or at Uncle Bill's a lot lately and it's been that long since I've put all the clean dishes away, just grabbing them off the top of our very deep sink.

La la la la la, hmm? What's this? Why it looks like something's growing in my dish drain! I looked closer, and saw in the drain, a 2-week old damp pumpkin seed with a little green shoot growing in our sink. I tried to pull it up, but it was stuck. I grabbed the camera and yelled for Tony and Maiya to come see the science experiment.

Yes, 6" tall pumpkin shootsWith the roots growing through the drainer, it was 15 " tall

So I did put it in a cup on the sink in the window, just like those science experiments from the internet. I also did wash all the dishes from breakfast, and they are sitting in the dish drain waiting to be put away. If anything comes of it, I'll let you know.

NaBloPoMo #11.

Pampering J.K. (#10)

I like to pamper myself once or twice a year. Today, on my day off, I took Maiya to preschool and then went to the gym and read the chapter for my assignment due today. Then, I went and got gas, spent less than $50 (yay!), then went and got a haircut. I told her, "Just cut it all off. Really short." Of course, she kind of freaked out, and was hesitant, but I said, "I'm not real tied to my hair, so just cut it so it can be wash and wear." So she did. Then I was walking to go to get a slice of pizza then I noticed (for the first time) that the place next door was a nail salon. I must have passed it 50 times before. So I walked in, and got a supreme pedicure, with hot stone massage and massage chair. It's the most elaborate pedi of the 4-5 times in my life I've gotten one. Then I went and got my pizza slice, then went over to Jamba Juice and got a yogurt/fruit/granola thing with a gift card.

Next, I'm heading over to pick up Larry from dialysis, then I have to do some homework that's due tonight for my class. That's it. That's my day off. And the nice thing is, that I actually got to take my day off this week, and that I'm also off tomorrow for Veteran's Day. Not only that, but it will be Erin's Bday and my not so little brother Darin's 40th Bday.

5K for Homeless Families (#9)

Maiya at the LA Marathon 5K in March 2008

Every night in LA County, over 73,000 men, women and children are poor and homeless.

That is why me, Maiya and 15 of my co-workers are walking in United Way’s 5K called HomeWalk this coming Saturday, November 15th to raise money for homeless families. Please help us end homelessness by making a donation to HomeWalk through Maiya's Homewalk webpage and help us in our efforts to support the United Way of Greater Los Angeles.

Thanks to Uncle Bill, Granny Franny & Grandpa Don, Grandma Machi & Grandpa Walt and Tony for their donations.

NaBloPoMo, 9 down, 21 days to go.

Day @ Magic Mountain (#8)

Auntie Keiko took me & Maiya to Magic Mountain today. It was Auntie's first time in 35 years, my first time in 15 years, and Maiya's first time ever. We pretty much spent the whole day in Bugs Bunny World, going on all the kiddie rides. It was fun, but tiring with a lot of walking, minus a little meltdown Maiya had in Gotham City after lunch. The low point was me thinking that I lost my wallet and waiting 25 minutes in line at Guest Relations, but luckily I called Tony at work, and he confirmed that I had just left it at home.

Auntie Keiko's favorite, Tweety Bird

Riding the Carousel togetherThomas Train roller coaster (first time)Animal farm goats, sheep and a pig

We're home now and I'm pretty exhausted. But, I'm taking an online class in Early Childhood Education, and I have an exam that I have to do tonight. Yes, on Saturday night.

Halloween @ Home (#7)

Halloween 08: Left work a little early and rushed to get home before dark, but missed the office Halloween party for our After-School program. I didn't want kids to have to manuever our small front porch, so Maiya, Tony and I passed out candy from the porch. Not many kids came this year compared to the last few years. Kids were passing our house because all the houses around us were decorated and across the street from us is a house under construction, so it was dark across the street.

Because Maiya got so much (non-candy) loot at preschool, we only went to about 5 houses on our block, went to the next block to visit Maiya's new friend Mikayla, hung out there for about 15 minutes, then went to maybe another 5-6 more houses on the next block and then came home and went across the street to our neighbor's house to visit their totally decked out yard.

That was about it. Auntie Lily came over, passed out candy while I laid on the floor, exhausted. Then we went and got Islands takeout for dinner. The next day I went to the drugstore to buy some 50% off Halloween lights and decorations so that next year people know we are open for business. Cause ya know I don't need all that leftover candy.

It's not over (#6)

Sometime yesterday, someone started a Petition to Reopen Proposition 8. When I signed it at 5pm tonight, I was the 164,800th person to sign it. I just checked it, and it is already at 225,400. Protesters against the proposition are taking it to the streets. It will go back to the courts. Regardless, women will love women, and men will love men, and they have the right to marry who they love. How something so simple and lovely got so twisted is just beyond me.

Sweet victory, bitter disappointment (#5)

Image and t-shirt design: Mike Murase

Never have I felt so emotional on election night... we have a new president! So happy for Barack Obama, his beautiful family, and all the people who believe in the message of hope and change. He sure has his work cut out for him after 8 years of Bush's failed administration, years of lies, arrogance and deceptions. But I have hope that Obama will provide leadership and good policies for the next 4 years. I hope that he can end the war in Iraq, and push through some of his ideas.

There has been a lot of talk about the first African American president and people's amazement at "never thought I'd see the day" is really touching. But I also like to think of my new president as a Hapa dude from Hawai'i who grew up eating Botan rice candy and has an Asian American sister named Maya! They never say that in the media, why not? :)

But, the night was also tinged with bitter disappointment in 52% of Californians who voted for Prop (H)8. It is completely inconceivable to me that people would vote to eliminate rights to people to marry, would vote to discriminate against gays and lesbians, would vote to invalidate the union of over 10,000 couples in California since May 2008. We're talking about people's right to get legally married to the people they love. I think even Jesus would have been for marriage equality. I would love to hear from people who voted yes, because I just don't understand it.

Halloween Preschool-Style (NBPM#4)

Maiya's preschool celebrated Halloween with a practice run. First they had their pictures taken by a professional photographer. Then, they took their homemade grocery bags trick-or-treating at the temple offices upstairs and then went door-to-door at the classrooms, knocking on something like 17 doors, with parents waiting inside to hand out non-candy treats and goodies. Afterwards, they ran around in the gym like crazy for like half an hour.

Maiya had a great time. She was confidently walking up to the doors, knocking and loudly saying "trick-or-treat" which is much different from me as a shy child, hovering in the back of the group. I'm also always a little wary about the number of fairies and princesses among the girls and am always happy to see other costumes for girls that are not too "girlish." I know that many want to be princesses at this age in particular, but I know it is because that's what the corporate media, Disney, stores, commercialism and parents, perpetuating and feeding into that whole thing. We had an all black witch costume, but I felt a little nervous that Maiya would feel left out if she wasn't a princess, but she was totally cool with it, and just so excited that it was Halloween.

The other thing as a parent that bothers me about Halloween is the amount of processed foods that fall under "non-candy" snacks, rice krispy treats, chocolate covered pretzels, cookies, chips, sweetened "fruit" nuggets that advertise as healthy (that one is hard to swallow). Since we don't buy these types of things, I don't like to have them in the house. If I'm going to give her a packet of processed snacks, I try to take it out of the wrapper and divvy it up into 2 or 3 servings, so she doesn't get too attached to the corporate logos and such. The other night she wanted a fruit rollup, so I gave her a plate of real fruit first, before she could eat it, and she did.

Next up: Halloween in the neighborhood.

P.S. I know you voted today, right?

Vote tomorrow (#3)

Jenni & Maiya say, "Vote 4 Obama!"

Yesterday was a fun day. We went for cousin Kyle's 6th Bday party at Pump It Up. Maiya had a great time. I gorged on pizza and felt it the rest of the day. Afterwards we went to my mom's house to celebrate me & my brother Darin's bday (40th!) - hopefully someone will share photos since my camera battery was not charged. Maiya had a tantrum of epic proportions that started at my mom's and finished at home. Remind me not to interrupt a nap after going to a party place again. Anyways, it ended with a little laughter and a lot of cuddling. Tomorrow the birthday continues with the Korean Spa with Laura and dinner and shopping with Lily. Well, folks I got lots of backblogging to catch up for NaBloPoMo, so stay tuned after the election.

My Birthday Wish (#2)

Man, I keep thinking that I'm 40, but really as of today, I am 44 years old, born in the same year as Michelle Obama and Sarah Palin. I told Maiya the other day, "You know how you're almost 4? Well I'm almost 44!" She said, "Oh, wow." I still feel 30 and some might say that I look it, although less and less, as I see more and more gray hairs every day. I'm not the skinny mini of my college days, and I seem to injure myself at the gym with some regularity. Anyways, happy 44th to me. You know what I want for my birthday, don't you?

No on 8. Donations to Great Leap. Vote for Barack Obama in 2 days. Not asking for a lot, but asking for everything.



NaBloPoMo#2.

Yes We Carve (NaBloPoMo#1)

Check out the Yes We Carve website. People are posting their Barack-O-Lanterns right and left.

Credit: Amber Koenig-Dehn of Santa Cruz, CA

Oh, and I decided I don't have enough things to stress me out in life and I really needed some more things for my To Do List, so I decided to do NaBloPoMo08 again this year, which means that I will be blog posting every day this November for National Blog Posting Month. I must be nucking futs.