I'm not sure what I want to be when I grow up...

Silver Linings

2011-06-07T11:28:00.002-04:00

It's been quite a break I've taken...and still not sure what I'm doing with a blog. We had been on the fence since last summer about adding another to our little pack and were up and down for so many months. I was actually waiting for my period to come so I could schedule to have another Mirena inserted...but then again, I kept saying that too. Still, it was hard for my ovaries NOT to hurt

Earthquakes & Tsunamis

2011-03-11T11:04:00.005-05:00

Right now, along with the entire global community, I sit and pray for those who suffering in Japan from this historic natural disaster. After an early check-in, I know our relatives and friends who are stationed in Japan are safe. Thank God. Through these disasters, I am naturally inclined to think of our military families. I've already heard reports of ships being sent out to sea to prevent

Want to do something good?

2010-12-02T11:10:00.001-05:00

The sporadic blogger is back, but just to write about one of my dearest friend's newest endeavors. Dharma has been one of my dearest friends since college. We met in one of our Asian American studies classes, participated in the same student leadership groups, and comprised 2/3 of the first students to graduate with the then-newly established Asian American Studies certificate from UMD. Since

Attempted Murder

2010-09-28T14:11:00.003-04:00

I just wanted to let you know of the "attempted murder" that just occurred...with this woman: I tried to visit with Jackie Warner only to have her try to kill me. After 14 min. and some odd secs, I had enough and left. Granted, the visit was On Demand in my family room...so I didn't have far to go. Hopefully I'll still be able to walk to the bus stop to get my son. If I don't answer my

Captured

2010-09-15T08:34:00.000-04:00

You were treated to a visual feast of my sister, brother, and cutie pie niece the other day. Now, another goodie from one of my college friends and favorite blogger, Ben aka DILF-in-Training (when you visit his site, please vote for him as a top baby blog)! Thank you again...so very much, for these beautiful photos that we will cherish forever! Tanya + Sean + Kaia + JaronSeptember 15, 2010I

Amazing Awesomeness

2010-09-13T16:21:00.002-04:00

I'm going the lazy route today (but at least I'm posting and it's not months later...not that anyone except all of my .5 readers care...hahahaha). One of my favorite blogs happens to be from a friend from college. We weren't the same year (he's younger), we didn't have the same major, and we didn't really participate in the same clubs. Yet, we still participated together in two of the biggest

Walk

2010-09-10T15:00:00.008-04:00

It's a gorgeous day and both kids are in school...so, I decided to push my atrophied self out the door to enjoy the weather and go for a walk with Jax. I came to the following conclusions: A) Being sedentary for so long causes both shock and confusion in both my muscles and my dog. It sounded like Bozo the Clown was walking with a dirty prank caller. B) It's a good idea to make sure that if

First Day of School

2010-09-10T13:47:00.000-04:00

School started this week, officially marking the end of a crazy, fun-filled, jam-packed summer. Jaron started kindergarten this year...leaving his mama single and sad...but excited for this new chapter in his life. When did our "babies" grow up? I know he's in good hands...specifically, his sister's. I hope they'll always take care of each other. Start of a bittersweet day where we've

Congratulations!

2010-07-27T10:43:00.001-04:00

It's been a while and still might be a while until I blog again...just having the busiest summer to date and enjoying every minute of it. But, I just wanted to send a huge congratulations to Daphne Kwok who was recently appointed by President Obama to be the chair of his advisory committee on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. You can read more about it here and here. There really couldn't

2010-06-04T14:24:00.002-04:00

Almost an entire month ago Recently, we held a joint birthday party for my son & niece. Usually, the kids' birthday shindigs are a big deal because we hold them in DC every time as a way to be able to reconnect with so many friends & fam (or friendmily) that we don't get to see regularly due to our military life. AND...thanks to our amazing fam, we've pulled this not-so-tiny interstate but

Cookies & Compost = Yummy Deliciousness

2010-06-03T10:02:00.003-04:00

Huh? Say what? Yup...cookies and compost equal some pretty darn yummy creations...especially when that creation is from the uber-renowned NYC restaurant Momofuku. Ok, so it's not really compost per se, but basically you take whatever you have on hand and throw it into this cookie. This is actually the cookie that you saw my kids were sharing. That cookie was out of pure laziness since I ran

Sibling Love

2010-05-28T16:48:00.000-04:00

Anyone want to share? Ironically, the number of this photo is 143. What's more ironic? They are currently fighting. Ahhhhhh...sibling love.

Figure It Out Friday

2010-05-28T16:38:00.002-04:00

I am the author of 3 blogs. 3. Why? Well, I started our family blog for the obvious. Being a military family away from friends and fam, I started it to keep everyone updated. Except, I failed to realize that also being a military family, you run into slumps...most noticeably when you're a "single married spouse/mom" (SMS/M) and/or the computer is in a different room on a different floor in

11 years...

2010-05-26T12:55:00.033-04:00

05.26.99USNAAnnapolis, MD 11 years since he first put on his officer shoulder boards and almost 13 years in... ...so much for "Five & Dive" (for all the civvies, we thought he'd serve his 5 year commitment and be out). I can't even begin to count how much of our 11+ years together you've been in a tube under the sea or just in the tube docked at the pier...missing birthdays, holidays,

Mom n' Me Monday

2010-05-24T16:00:00.001-04:00

Jumping on Julie's Mom n' Me Mondays' bandwagon where she had the fabulous idea of encouraging parents who are the main family photographer to put themselves in photos occasionally... ...made easier by purchasing one of these handy little bad boys: Nikon ML-L3 Wireless Remote Control Taking advantage of the annual free tix from Busch Gardens/Sea World (of which this would be the SECOND time

ATTN: Military & HOV in Hampton Roads

2010-05-24T15:03:00.003-04:00

In case you're active duty or know someone who is, military personnel may now use the HOV lanes to or from a military facility in Hampton Roads. Now that The Hubs has more "normal" working hours, he's a bit happier that his commute will be easier. Check it out here. **UPDATE: The Federal Govt. struck down this legislation despite state approval since they hold jurisdiction over interstates.

Figure It Out Friday...

2010-05-14T13:20:00.000-04:00

It's been a while...so, I apologize to my one reader...and by one, I mean the spammer who likes leaving me messages in Chinese. Dude, my family left China a long time ago. Not building-the-railroads long time ago, but several generations back. Anyhoo...one of my new favorite reads is Julie's blog @ The Peanut Gallery...Exit Here. Her family had a newly adopted pet duck this past spring and

Happy Military Spouse Appreciation Day

2010-05-07T10:02:00.000-04:00

To all the military spouses doing what you do (and if you have children, often as a "single married spouse" doing the work of two people 24/7 for most of the year), without complaints (although you're definitely allowed the occasional vent), and sometimes without the credit you truly deserve... Happy Military Spouse Appreciation Day!

Mom n' Me Monday

2010-04-19T09:12:00.001-04:00

Loving Julie's project to force herself to be in some photos with her kids...and as the sole main photographer in this family, I've been relying on old photos to participate. It's almost as if I don't know that most cameras made post-Flintstone age have timers ...or maybe it's just that 90% of the week I look like a hot mess and I'm not trying to break my new camera. So, my brother-in-law is

Figure It Out Friday

2010-04-09T10:51:00.001-04:00

Dear Big Puppy, I love you but you need to stop using Mama's boots as chew toys. I've tried to be patient with you. I've bought you lots of toys even when Dad said you had too many. I've let the kids know the importance of putting away their wooden toys as you seem to have a penchant for wood. But now, you done did it. You ate Larry. You know Mama doesn't buy expensive shoes/boots. These

Dear Zachary

2010-04-09T00:29:00.002-04:00

If you're looking for a good movie to rent/buy and/or you really want to see a movie that boils your blood/makes you bawl your eyes out/stirs your sense of activism, look no further: "Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son about his Father"More information can be found at the site: www.dearzachary.com This documentary was just beautifully made and the love & passion that went into it was unbelievable.

Figure It Out Friday

2010-04-02T08:19:00.001-04:00

Just a snippet of The Hubs' pile o' laundry.Note the prior Abercrombie & Fitch folding skills are still intact. That mountain has since diminished and today, it starts all over again.But, laundry is one of the only types of cleaning I strangely enjoy. Again, it's probably due to all those damn years @ A&F during college that ingrained my love in perfecting folding piles. Weirdo.

Water Makes Me Happy

2010-04-01T20:24:00.003-04:00

I love water. Rain, not a huge fan of it...especially since Big Puppy is a total slob and he just sloshes around the backyard. Old Lady...well, she's just perfect (if you don't count her gaseous activities). But back to the original point...I love water. With that being said, it's been a great blessing that I married a subby and we're constantly near the water. Even better, there are little

Census 2010

2010-04-01T15:48:00.000-04:00

Did you send in your Census? From I'm not sure what I want to be when I grow up... They did!

Scary

2010-03-31T09:02:00.000-04:00

It's gorgeous outside and the rain has finally stopped...but the day is off to a scary start... First, I read Blunoz's post about the despicable Westboro Baptist Church...the loonies who condemn the LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, & queer/questioning) community and protest funerals of fallen military. First off, we won't get started on the protests of the LGBTQ community...that

Mom n' Me Monday

2010-03-29T16:16:00.000-04:00

Please don't say this is a foreshadowing of her teenage years... Check out other Mom n' Me (or Dad n' Me) posts over at Julie's blog!

Figure It Out Friday...

2010-03-26T09:22:00.000-04:00

From I'm not sure what I want to be when I grow up... I've been coveting this piece of art from a fellow sub wife Becca for a while. I love the quote and it holds so true for us military fams. "Bloom where you are planted"...that is definitely a saying most military fams can relate to. Then, I took this photo of a weed growing on our front steps and thought about the metaphorical

Mom n' Me Monday

2010-03-22T17:55:00.000-04:00

I promise that I'll start having some newer photos...but in the meantime, this was one of the most recent photos I could dredge up with me & my little man (and by recent, I mean April '09). This week's Mom n' Me Monday features a little one who was supposed to be Kaia's little sister...but someone had other plans for me. I remember when we were told we were having a boy and all the panic that

Ignition Breathalyzer Legislation

2010-03-17T12:03:00.000-04:00

I popped over to Blunoz' blog and basically left my own blog post as a "comment" on his post on breathalyzers. Basically, VA & MD want to pass legislation where it will be mandatory to install breathalyzers in the cars of first time convicted DUI offenders (catch it here in the Washington Post). The breathalyzers would serve as an ignition interlock devices and hopefully lower the already high

Hail & Farewell...finally.

2010-03-16T00:37:00.000-04:00

It's been a week and a half since Sean finally got relieved and had his official hail & farewell...this ending our his department head tour and giving him a brief respite before moving into his post-department head/shore tour. For those non-mil readers...let's start at the beginning... My awesome partner was the Weapons Officer (WEPS) on the USS Tennessee. That's a submarine and more

Mom n' Me Monday

2010-03-15T22:02:00.000-04:00

My wonderful friend Melissa over @ The Zookeeper's Diary (a must visit if you haven't already) participated in Julie's (from The Peanut Gallery...exit here...also a must read) Mom n' Me Monday. A fantastic idea if A) you're a Mom and B) you're the sole photographer in the family. So, since I thought my kids were destined to grow up wondering where Mom was during all their trips, important

Figure It Out Friday...

2010-03-12T22:20:00.000-05:00

I had to comb through old photos since I've kind of slacked on taking photos lately. Between the scholarship reads, a stomach virus, and colds...I've been slacking. Ooh...plus, I'm shopping around for my DSLR now too! ;o) I promise to post photos from the Hubs' Hail & Farewell too...albeit they suck but still...it's something. I did dredge this one up from January. Apparently my son

Master P

2010-03-10T01:49:00.000-05:00

No, not the rapper...it's my new title for today. P as in PROCRASTINATION!! It's nearly 2am or 0200 and I'm now into the last day reviewing scholarships...and doing laundry. I've been volunteering for the past few years and this year hasn't been up to par...that is, I haven't been up to par. I've definitely hauled some serious tookus this past week and am reviewing my 123rd application.

Figure It Out Friday...

2010-03-05T08:54:00.000-05:00

Sean found this while purging some old drawings from the kids' corner: No, Sweet Girl, I have the best daughter EVER!!!

Celebrating by making Whoopie...

2010-03-04T11:26:00.000-05:00

Whoopie PIES...gutter-mind. Sean's one two week-long turnover is nearing the end. This is a change for him since his turnover when he was the PWEPS was 3 DAYS. Anyhoo...it also gave me a chance to try out MORE recipes and for him to take the results to the boat. It's been nice to be the "wardroom mom". It's that big sister thing in me...it's also that

Triste

2010-03-01T16:20:00.000-05:00

For those of you not versed en Espanol...that means sad. Well, the hubby's week-long turnover with the PWEPS (perspective weapons officer) has turned into a week and a half long turnover. My goal during his turnover...bake a bunch of new cookie recipes to try them out and to feed the USS TN. I was sick as a dog last week and managed to 1) be hygienic enough not to infect anyone but my hubby

GIVEAWAY!!!!!!!!!

2010-03-01T12:05:00.000-05:00

Image used courtesy of RSW @ LovelyYellowRibbons The uber-talented and ridiculously awesome Becca from Lovely Yellow Ribbons is giving away one of her ridiculously cute "Keep Calm" prints! Becca is a fellow subby wife and artist/mother/wife/woman extraordinaire! I had ordered a custom family crest for our BFFs from her and it was gorgeous. What's keeping us from ordering one for ourselves is

Award Time

2010-02-26T22:12:00.000-05:00

I don't know why she chose me, but thank you Melissa for the awards! and From I'm not sure what I want to be when I grow up... So I'll go by the rules that Melissa established...a boring tidbit of me for each blog awarded: 7 Blogs, 7 Tidbits...(and yes, they all happen to be military spouses...or at least at one point): EllynLizabee & co. Lindsay Writing .Lovely Yellow Ribbons.

Figure It Out Friday...

2010-02-26T15:37:00.000-05:00

It's that time again, Kids... I've had a cold that's been kicking my ever-shrinking tush (thanks to no exercising for a week now...and this bad boy deflates real quick)...which had been expanding quite nicely prior to this crappiness. Anyhoo, so this week I'm stealing a photo...without permission. Shhhhhhhhhhh. Yup, I'm a total bad-a$$ like that. Did I mention the photographer is only

Friday Follow

2010-02-26T15:27:00.000-05:00

I'm going to try this again... Last week was fun and I got to check out some pretty awesome blogs. For me it's definitely more of finding blogs I'd like to follow and less of being followed. Check it out!

Figure It Out Friday...

2010-02-19T21:30:00.000-05:00

This photo is so wrong on so many levels... 1) The woman in pink was attempting to snowboard on a toboggan. Said woman has never snowboarded in her life. Said woman should not have even attempted this since she tore her darn ACL back in h.s. and...back to the main point, she was attempting to snowboard snowboarding on a toboggan. 2) The woman fell off of the toboggan perilously close to

Friday Follow

2010-02-19T21:20:00.000-05:00

I found out about this through my awesome friend and fellow sub wife Melissa. So I visited here to find out more info and to give it a try...

Turning Over...

2010-02-17T09:39:00.000-05:00

Yesterday started day #1 of the hubs turning over with the PWEPS. I can't believe how fast these 3+ years have flown by. We're in the homestretch...and I'm a little sad. It's weird having been the "senior" wife in the wardroom during this past year in the shipyards with the CO geo-bacheloring and the XO is a newlywed. We have a great wardroom and I've grown the absolutely adore all of the

I hate you...

2010-02-15T10:40:00.000-05:00

Cusinart coffee maker. Seriously....3 times to make a damn pot of coffee. Try #1) Coffee grinds come spewing out from the built-in grinder past the basket (that popped out unbeknownst to me) and into nowhere land behind the carafe and on top. Of course...this has nothing to do with human error. Really. Try #2) Save all the ground coffee that escaped and put in basket. Turn "grind" function

Figure It Out Friday...

2010-02-12T15:30:00.000-05:00

That, my friends, is gluttony at it's finest.

Figure It Out Friday...

2010-02-05T09:21:00.000-05:00

I often think it'd be so awesome to get inside my kids' minds and see the world from their vantage point. I want to visit this world where knights ride in on tiny race cars and dino skeletons drive bulldozers.

Kids

2010-02-04T11:53:00.000-05:00

My kids are a trip. They are silly and cool and I want to be like them when I grow up. I was getting Jaron (my 4YO son) into the car yesterday and he was talking about how he was going to keep his babies safe and take really good care of them. I didn't want to ask him who was going to have his babies and instead phrased it as such "Where will you babies come from?" His reply. Your uterus.

Shhhhhhhh...be verwy, verwy quiet...

2010-01-29T13:35:00.000-05:00

Although I wasn't hunting "wabbits"...I was "hunting" my lovable knucklehead Jax aka The Big Puppy. Sean had duty last night and I was prepping the kiddies for bed. When I was leaving the kids' bathroom I hear Jax scratching wildly at something on the ceramic floor downstairs. I peek downstairs and he just looks at me in mid-scratch with his goofy look. I go back up and hear him scratching

Figure it Out Friday...

2010-01-29T07:48:00.000-05:00

It's the second week of Figure It Out Friday. So here is this week's photo: What is it? Could it be expensive designer pleated shades? Oh no no no. It is not. They are the temporary blinds that are covering our windows that recently got replaced... and by recently...I mean SEPTEMBER. So, I guess that the definition of "temporary" is relative to the person utilizing the word...whether

Reflection...

2010-01-26T18:31:00.000-05:00

Today is arguably one of the hardest days of the year for me and my sister. It's a day where I vacillate between trying to dull the hurt while not lessening the memories. Always, the memories win and now I look at it as it being a way to remember. Time does heal all wounds...but filling the void in a life without a certain loved one still hurts...especially when I have realized that my dad has

Figure it Out Friday...

2010-01-22T16:12:00.000-05:00

Bloggers have Wordless Wednesdays and other such days to showcase poignant photos. Me...I'm makin' my own...Figure it Out Fridays. When I start taking better photos and/or get my DSLR (eh, hmmm...HI HUBBY)...I'd love to participate in those days. For now...it's time for photos that share a different special place in my heart... This is the doorknob on my back door...weathered from the

Well looky here...

2010-01-21T16:47:00.000-05:00

My alma mater turned up in the Top 10 on the list of public colleges ranked bast value for 2009-2010...still...I shudder at the cost of in-state tuition and wonder what tuition will be like for my munchkins when they reach that point. Kaia's only in 1st grade and Jaron starts kindergarten next year...still, the countdown starts...*shudder* What doesn't help was that there was a statistic when I

What's that tingling sensation?

2010-01-15T08:52:00.000-05:00

Oh yeah...that's the residual feelings from holding a hairdryer that shorted on me and caught on fire. Time to get a new one...except I don't really use one...except for last night.You see, my son somehow peed in his sleep...in my bed...facing down. So, after discovering this upon waking him up...and in between finding the Nature's Miracle that we keep on hand for our pups...my other son...the

Happy 8th Anniversary!!

2010-01-05T19:38:00.000-05:00

Happy Anniversary...to me...oh, and my extremely amazing hubby who has put up with me for all these years! ;o) I can't believe it was 8 years ago that we were freezing our tookuses off at the USNA chapel...waiting for the show to go on because our wedding time was double-booked (two couples who scheduled the chapel prior to us had the same last name...one couple canceled and another couple was

I. Suck.

2009-12-24T00:42:00.000-05:00

First off...Happy Holidays!Second....I. Suck.Yesterday...oops, check that since it is already passed midnight now...the day BEFORE yesterday we take our beloved puppies in to get bathed. They came back several different shades lighter than when we took them in. They were THAT dirty. Anyhoo...we let our old lady sleep in our room for once and guess what...I got very little sleep. My poor baby Remi

Lazy.

2009-12-11T11:55:00.000-05:00

I'm too lazy...but uber-proud of my daughter...So...check out our family blog.

My. Ovaries. Hurt.

2009-12-04T08:36:00.000-05:00

My ovaries hurt. They do. They have that certain achiness whenever I think how big my kids have gotten and how little my niece is. I long for those moments of holding a baby and smelling their sweet scent. I miss being pregnant and not having to worry about muffin top or sucking my stomach in. I. Miss. Boobs. Yes, after breastfeeding both kids for a cumulative 24 months...they managed to

Breeeeeeathe

2009-12-02T18:00:00.000-05:00

I somehow turn off my alarm this morning and neglect to set a backup...thereby waking up at 7:23am...23 minutes later than the absolute latest I should be waking up...esp. today of all days!! Luckily, K-bear was already reading in her room...so I didn't have to spend 10 minutes getting her cute little booty up. After picking out outfits, I then go down and have to figure out breakfast...and

Black Friday

2009-11-24T13:10:00.000-05:00

One of the wives in the wardroom let us in on a little secret...http://www.black-friday.net/Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Shopping!!

Mutilation

2009-11-19T09:53:00.000-05:00

This past weekend we celebrated my little sister's 30th birthday. Fun was to be had all around in the happening Lancaster, PA area...it actually was a bunch of fun. Anyhoo...the last day of our weekend in DC was spent at all of the Gap Co.'s stores using their Gap Give & Get Program discount. Oh yeah, it was also spent being there to mutilate pierce our niece's ears!With that being said...we did

PAYLESS 50% Off Entire Purchase Discount!!!!!!!!!

2009-10-29T21:53:00.000-04:00

Want to score a 50% discount @ Payless Shoes? Shoot...I do!! I was searching for hints for the Old Navy Weekly Ad and found that you could get a 50% off your entire purchase @ Payless Shoes.Let's preface this. I used to work at Abercrombie & Fitch during college right in the beginning where it blew up and became uber-popular and college campuses around the US started looking like A&F threw up

I. Love. Military. Medicine.

2009-10-28T14:29:00.000-04:00

Okay...not really. I don't love that Kaia had some freak accident and broke her ankle while hopping to the bus afterschool last Friday...HOPPING. I wrapped her ankle after seeing it was bruised and a bit swollen and we headed up to DC for her belated birthday party. So, the morning of her belated party, Sean takes her to the ER at Nat'l Naval Medical Center (yes, the same one the US Presidents

Female Dolphins?

2009-10-14T08:52:00.000-04:00

The Hubs' sub leaving last winter.Women on Subs...one of the newest oldest debates may soon become a reality. I'm not sure what my thoughts are on this. We've always fielded the questions of "why can't women be on subs" from our daughter and I've always told her that maybe one day she'll be able to be on a sub...or that women could be on subs (not exactly sure that she'd want to do what daddy

OTT

2009-10-13T14:03:00.000-04:00

Ahhhhh...thank you to one of my most fave sub wives, the uber-talented and ridiculously gorgeous Liza, just gave me this award...in addition to the other two awards that she gave me a while back that I'm so behind on still posting!!! Sorry, Liza!!So the rules are:Copy and change the answers to suit you and pass it on. You must use only one word answers!Once you have filled it out you then pass

Time to Remember

2009-09-11T09:16:00.001-04:00

Today is a day in which many will remember exactly what they were doing at the time of one of the most horrific times in American history. We will remember all the lives that were lost and all of the pain and anger that was left behind following the attacks. We will remember unity of the country and some will remember the hate crimes and racism that followed the attacks...on fellow Americans. I

Puppy

2009-09-02T19:30:00.000-04:00

Man, my puppy is a turkey...but I love him. He's also technically not a puppy since he's a little over 3 years old now. I also love the fact that he protects us and we need that when Sean's out to sea. Today, the UPS man nearly pooped his shorts as he was booking it back to his truck. Nevermind the fact I was outside and Jax was inside...albeit barking his head off like Kujo in a way that said

Feliz Cumpleanos

2009-08-09T14:39:00.000-04:00

Happy Birthday to my wonderful maternal grandfather...and by birthday, let's not leave out the most important part of that wish...HAPPY 99th BIRTHDAY, GUNG-GUNG!!!Gung-gung is what I call my grandfather in Chinese. Luis Li, Sr. is a man who was ophaned when he was still a single-digit age and raised by his older sisters. As a teenager, he immigrated to Mexico, then to Honduras, married my amazing

Reunited...

2009-08-05T09:57:00.000-04:00

How could watching the coverage of this NOT bring a tear to your eye? Hearing the moments leading up to the meeting with N. Korean leaders and Bill Clinton emotionally described by Laura Ling got me so teary-eyed...then coupled with watching Euna Lee holding her 4-year old daughter after a 4-month separation...so awesome.Definitely the military spouse in me can empathize on some level with Euna

Backed Up...

2009-07-31T20:10:00.000-04:00

Alrighty...here it is...the couple of photos from Sub Ball: And a close up of my make-up. It's been years since my days at Sephora and I never really have a need to wear lots of make-up, if at all. Many days I go nekkid. Anyhoo...it was lots of fun playing around. I used NARS Duo Eye Shadow in Habanera on my eyes, along with a few individual Shu Uemura Flare Eyelashes - Black at the outer

Still need to catch up...

2009-05-20T09:44:00.000-04:00

I've been meaning to post a quick recap of Sub Ball '09, but will do that soon. But in the meantime, my wonderful, amazing, BFF sister had her (our) very first baby!!! Talia Mei Shih was born on May 8th and bringing lots of joy to our family! Kim's water broke at 2am and she called me at 2:30am, apologizing because we joked so many times that she'd go into labor when Sean wasn't home...and he

Preps & Apologies

2009-04-16T22:06:00.000-04:00

Two explanations for the photos above.1. Sorry for the narcissitic moments! These were a necessity since I was going to have to send these to my sister for a fashionista consult. Sean's no help...I love the man, but he's no help in this department.2. I'm not exactly sure why I didn't use my Gorillapod & set the timer! What a dodo.It's the eve of our first, and probably last, sub ball. Mom is down

Loca

2009-04-09T10:07:00.000-04:00

Yeah, I think I'm crazy. Well...that I've always known...but it seems that I always like to put more on my plate than I can handle...except for food, 'cause I can literally put a lot on my plate and handle that bad boy with no problem...thank you Li genes for big appetites and high metabolisms (except mine is definitely a lot more sluggish nowadays...lack of exercise doesn't help)!! ;o)Take for

Kal Penn

2009-04-07T14:03:00.000-04:00

Go on Kal Penn with your hot, smart self!This is the same guy who also taught a course in Asian American studies at UPenn.Congrats!

P90X...kiss my rump.

2009-04-07T13:26:00.000-04:00

Hahahaha....JK. The hubs has been dying to do this darn P90X program that he's seen on the infomercials for the past few months. By seeing...I literally mean the man watches the infomercials like real t.v. shows. Even the kids know what P90X is. HAHAHAHAHA.Anyhoo...seeing how this fine piece of perfection that he married is...I figured, I'll humor him by doing it. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. This poor body

HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-03-19T00:00:00.000-04:00

The annual Submarine Ball is quickly approaching and the Hubs and I will finally be making our first, and possibly, our last Sub Ball ever. Yup...our first AND last.Sean has been in the sub community now for 9 years (11ish, if you count enlisted time)...total Navy time 12 years. He's towards the end of his department head tour now and is considering transfering to the EDO (engineering duty

Really?

2009-03-15T19:48:00.000-04:00

43 apps...seriously? Ughhhhhhhhhh...I need to finish these by tomorrow!!!!!!BTW...I'm a reader for this scholarship foundation...good stuff. Makes me very thankful to have the life that I have when these kids are parts of families living off close to nothing and yet these individuals still manage to persevere and excel in their academics and extracurriculars!

YIKES!!!

2009-03-11T10:55:00.000-04:00

I so want to update but I have to finish knitting a lil' somethin'-somethin' for my mama's birthday next week and do these scholarship reviews that are supposed to be completed by Monday! YIKES!! The project for Mom is almost done and I knocked out 7 apps last night. Last year I reviewed maybe close to 200 or so...sooooooooooooo yeah.........No more procrastinating!

Say What?

2009-03-04T20:10:00.001-05:00

I just read a post from the blog French Kiss about being bi/multi-lingual...it got me thinking.... It's always been a bit frustrating not being able to speak to both sets of grandparents. I am 3rd-generation Chinese American (generation status explained below). Although that status is a little weird since my paternal great-grandparents are buried here and my mom is 1.5 generation Asian American.

A Decade

2009-03-02T10:00:00.000-05:00

Here's to 10 years since our first kiss in the Mid Store parking lot of the USNA where Mr. Shy Guy decided to plant one on me in front of our two friends. NICE. He's just lucky that he didn't get dissed since that would have been pretty darn awkward!I LOVE YOU, Bear! You make everyday so amazing!

Germs, Viruses, Bacteria...Oh MY!

2009-02-22T10:42:00.000-05:00

So, since January the total count of infections have been 3 colds and a stomach virus (a nasty one that was luckily short-lived but managed to incapacitate almost the entire wardroom). Daddy's leaving to escort another boat leaving the shipyard and it comes at a good time...SIKE! I'm trying to get ready for my sister's shower in DC this weekend and just praying that we'll know definitively his

How could you, Miley?

2009-02-10T10:52:00.001-05:00

Dear Miley, You suck. Yeah, I said it. Yup...I'm a 30-something year old mother of two and I'm resorting to juvenile words like "YOU SUCK". We were fans of your show...yeah, I said "we". I thought you were cute and funny and had a lot of fun watching you with my daughter, who's 5 and thinks you were pretty funny. She also LOVED rocking out to your music. But, you had to go and blow it by

Anonymous

2009-02-01T10:49:00.000-05:00

Alrighty, Lurkers...everyone can now publish comments.

Remembering

2009-01-26T14:18:00.000-05:00

From I'm not sure what I want to be when I grow up...10 years ago today was arguably the hardest day in my life. Right about now, I was busy calling people and letting them know that my father had passed away. I had gotten a call around 3 am from my uncle saying that my dad was in the hospital and that we should go over right away. Now, I have always been upfront about my dad, his battle with

Doughnuts

2009-01-22T17:21:00.000-05:00

I've eaten 3 doughnuts in the past 6 hours and am trying to refrain from eating my kids' doughnuts. What a great mom I am. ;o) It just doesn't help living back in an area where there's so much accessibility to places (ie. I don't have to drive over 45 minutes to get to decent places). While we were gone from VA Beach, a snazzy little bakery named Bliss Bakery only 15 minutes away from our home

Waaaaaaaay Back

2009-01-21T09:46:00.000-05:00

I was reading a sub blog from Boise, ID...which happens to be the namesake of the boat the hubs was stationed on for his JO tour...his very LOOOOOOOOOOOONG JO tour. We seem to like having extra long tours. His JO tour was longer than most and his DH tour is turning out to be longer than most as well. Ahhhhhhhh...oh well. This past summer, the Hubs did hit his 11th year, but 15 years in since the

Wow

2009-01-21T08:03:00.000-05:00

So, I found out that Kaia's school wouldn't be watching the inauguration during class...there's a "no t.v." policy that they abide by. I know that's a good thing, but watching history unfold warranted keeping my baby home. Kaia's already becoming social-justice minded...and there was so much to explain. Even though we've talked about lots of stuff in the past about discrimination, equality, and

Gas

2009-01-14T15:06:00.000-05:00

I really should update about how life in VA is, how our new former current residence is doing, about anything else except this: Remi has bad gas. From I'm not sure what I want to be when I grow up...Now Remi is my first dog, my first baby, my kids' first dog, and an olllllllllllllld girl. She turned 8 this past summer. We got Remi just before her 2nd birthday in 2002. Sean and I had just

Leaving On a Jet Plane...

2008-12-21T21:23:00.001-05:00

Ok, not really...but I am leaving in my Sequoia and will be moving to our old house near a base that has lots of jet planes! Does that count? Hahahaha. Ahhhhhhhh, yes, back to our old casa in VA Beezy where we never saw airplanes overhead, just jets from NAS Oceana. Pretty cool looking overhead and seeing those suckers...unless they flew low and the whole house would vibrate. ;o) Anyway...we're

In the Homestretch...

2008-12-14T17:53:00.000-05:00

Wow, I cannot believe our time here in FL is finally coming to an end. Although Sean's still got a bit left of his dept. head tour, we are almost done. Sean's boat already changed it's homeport. So, he's been up in VA since last week. I've got the movers coming to pack us up this Thursday and then they'll load on Friday. Sean'll join us Friday night. I was a bit freaked about doing everything by

Love It

2008-12-07T15:36:00.000-05:00

So, not only does this guy look better & more toned in a two-piece than I do, but boy can move!! I can't move like that anymore without something being thrown out or joints popping...hahahahaha. *sigh* I really need to start working out and stretching again. This girl is going to need to be retired to the pasture at this rate. ;o)

Argh

2008-12-02T14:20:00.000-05:00

So, we said goodbye to the buffest member of our fam today from an old fort at one of the local state parks. I was informed by said buff member of our fam that our move date (in two weeks) will have to be rescheduled...AGAIN. We also pray for the safety of said buff member and the rest of the crew...and for the sanity of their families that are in the middle of moving and/or getting settled

Thanks, Turkey.

2008-12-01T16:04:00.000-05:00

So, Turkey Day was FAB-U-LOUS!!! We ate the our communiity clubhouse and literally had the best TD meal of our lives...and I've had PLENTY o' great TD meals in my life. I am literally still dreaming of the turkey (w/the gravy...and I'm not much of a gravy person), mashed potatoes, creamed corn, flounder w/cream sauce, and the list goes on...mmmmmmmm. Oh, let's not talk about cookies & the other

Alrighty...

2008-11-23T10:52:00.000-05:00

My updated checklist:Take the GRE...again...DONE (albeit not the strong scores I wanted, good, but not strong)Finish Grad Apps...DONE!!!!!!!!!!Homeschool...been squeezing in time and feeling better about myself! ;o)Start, finish, & mail Xmas gifts...starting, finished on some, and then will be ready to mailHire property manager/realtor...I'm in the processGet the house rented....errrrrrExercise.

I Remember

2008-11-21T02:00:00.000-05:00

So, it's my Dad's birthday today. Actually, his 60th. The only thing is that he died almost 10 years ago this coming January from alcoholism-related poor health. I had expected him to pass away early, but not that soon.So, as I think about careers outside this home...as well as my previous professional & academic lives. I think about and remember how positive my father was in fostering and

3 Weeks

2008-11-06T15:48:00.001-05:00

Here is my checklist for my next three weeks...Take the GRE...again (still a bit bitter about my expired GRE)Finish Grad AppsHomeschoolStart, finish, & mail Xmas giftsHire a property manager/realtorExercise....ok, this most likely will not happen...hahaha...*sigh*Get the house rentedMoveBe a good mom, wife, sibling. daughter, friend.Good thing is, our tenants are moving out of our home in VA

History

2008-11-05T00:56:00.000-05:00

Either way you slice it, this election was going to be historical no matter what. I was so glad that we had the chance to vote in this lovely swing state AND by mail no less!!!! What an awesome time.Change.It's feels good.

CUTE!

2008-10-31T12:34:00.001-04:00

So, I was on my friend Kelly's blog who mentioned her friend Becca's blog about a giveway on her (Becca) blog. Anyway, it's for these mad cute crests that would be great for yourself or as a gift.Anyway, head to Becca's blog for a chance to enter and too see how adorable these crests are!

Checklists

2008-10-23T13:42:00.001-04:00

I find that the older I get, the more need I have for lists. I used to rely on this lil' old noggin to do the jobby job for me...but that is NO LONGER the case. If you've had a recent conversation with me, you'd find the violent subject changes are worse than ever.Somehow I need to figure out what's a good schedule and how I can add more hours to the day...any suggestions? Ideally, more hours

Can I?

2008-10-19T17:25:00.000-04:00

May I take a moment to freak out? I don't know if I can do this. I am racked with self-doubt and just plain stress. I just realized that my GRE scores expired last year and if I want to apply to grad school should we get stationed in DC, then the time to do it is now. HOWEVER, the ONLY Saturday date is in less than 2 weeks and I am ruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuusty. Imagine how your brain cells would be

Tagged

2008-10-06T14:52:00.000-04:00

Alrighty...so my wacky friend and fellow wardroom wife Kelly has tagged me in this fun little game. Thanks, Kelly...;o) I'll entertain her and play since I need a break from transcribing an old term paper from grad school that I apparently did not SAVE onto my hard drive. Nice.First, here are the rules of the game:1. Link to the person that tagged you. DONE2. Mention the rules. DOING3. Tell six