Reminiscing...

Last month (February 2015), both my brothers had a chance to go back to Taiwan to visit the family.  Jason took Jennifer, Brandon, Carli and Justin for the very first time.  James and Karen went back for the first time as a married couple.

Their schedules were different but they managed to meet up and visited some relatives together.  So precious!!  Our family hasn't seen so many WUs at once for so long.

Of course, they all went back to Tainan to visit grandma's house.  That's the big old house that mom's family resides and has housed at least four generations of KO kids over time.  Mom was one of the kids.

Mom's parents had lived and raised their children in this huge house.  It was big enough to house my grandparents and their eight children (later, the addition of grandchildren at various times), employees (back in the old days, employees were live-ins) and the housekeepers.

The big house went through some built-outs as my grandparents' family grew.  The place I remember is 5 stories high (the 5th level is a roof garden) with an open terrace on each level.  The house also has three ground level courtyards.  The grandparents used to occupy the living quarter in the very back.  We had to walk through the front section of the house, the courtyard, the main living room, the second courtyard, the kitchen and dining room, another courtyard to get to their bedroom.  For a kid, it's a long way to get to grandma's room.

Oh, and I remembered for a while, the last courtyard also had a chicken coop. Grandma used to tell me to go pick up fresh eggs in the mornings so she could make me a warm glass of almond-egg-milk.

The front courtyard opens all the way to the top.  People can look down from above or scream up from below.  When people were too lazy to walk down the stairs to get something, they would lower a basket, ask the folks below to put it in then pull it up.  Yap, a rudimentary dumbwaiter for the lazies.  

This picture was taken by James from the 4th floor terrace.  Each level comes equipped with a kitchenette and bathroom.  The levels can be occupied as independent units but stairwells and hallways connect them top to bottom and front to back.  We can get to the same point from different routes.  A well thought out design. Most importantly, there are enough bathrooms, but one just had to get to one especially when in a hurry.

During summer and winter breaks, bunch of us kids would be sent to grandma's house - just like summer camps but more fun because we got spoiled!!  The kids had the whole house to explore and so many places to play hide and seek.  The house was not child proof but there was never an accident with kids running, chasing, sliding, jumping, climbing... 

The back of the house was not remodeled as much as the front end when I was a kid.  The kitchen that I remembered had an "old style" wood stove and a wood burning water heater for the bathroom in the back.  I remembered we all had to take turn manning the water heater at bath time.

I remembered meal time was always like party time.  Sleeping time was like slumber party every night.  We sometime would just gather at the court yard during hot summer afternoons for snacks and for story time with grandma or with our aunts and uncles.  It's always nice and breezing in the court yard.   Sometime, the adults would ask the street food vendors to bring their carts in.  The vendors were always happy to do so because their food cart would be cleaned out at one stop, then they could wrap up and go home for the day.  Oh, the sweet memories!!

"Going to Grandma's House!"  - Although I only got to do that every year for the first 9 years of my life - and only a few more times up to now - it is still a very special place and I still reminisce with my brothers.  I am very happy that James and Jason got to visit, and I am so glad that Brandon, Carli and Justin got to see a part of our childhood.  Jason noted that, as in tradition, Justin stuck his head between the railings just like so many of us did when we were kids.

Our grandma's house is our very own Neverland.

Dad's Memoir

Dad's autobiography - his first book ever - was finally printed.  It took him over seven years to write but it's finally done.

Dad started writing his memoir after mom's stroke in 2007.  He has stayed home to be with her 24/7  from day one.  Up to this day, he is still by her side day in and day out.  There are times that he has to go out for appointments and meetings  but he would always come home as soon as he could because he doesn't want to leave mom alone.

Dad started writing because he wanted to document his life and his life with mom (which is more than 4/5 of their lives) and to leave something for the kids to treasure.  So he started writing from his childhood, to his struggle while growing up, meeting mom, building their family, moving to the US, starting a new life and telling all about it.

And he wrote and wrote.  Dad's book is over 50,000 words and over 500 pages with precious photos from their childhoods and our childhoods.  Yes, he had a lot to talk about.  Some sad, some happy, some very down times and some very proud moments.

Not everyone's father is a writer.  My dad sure is not.  His writing may not be very professional but he wrote with his heart.  The book is dedicated to mom, who has stood by him through thick and thin.

Dad and mom endured peaks and valleys in all these years but they never lost the courage to plow through all obstacles.  Just when we thought that they were ready to enjoy their retirement, mom suffered a life changing stroke.  But this is life, and we will take it as it comes.

So Dad wrote from his heart.  We are so proud of Dad and his determination to finish this book.

Congratulations Dad.  You just prove to us again that as long as you put your heart in it, you can accomplish anything.

Something about my parents:

• Both in their 70s now.  Mom is three years younger than Dad.
• They have been married for 51 years (52 comes December 9, 2014)
• They were engaged for 3 years before getting married
• They were together for 7-8 years before getting engaged
• Together, they have 3 kids, 2 daughter in-laws and 4 grand kids

Piggy on the Roof

Look what's up on the roof?!?!  It's a PIG!  It's a PARTY PIG!

After all these years, I finally found the perfect weathervane for our roof.  You know, one of those whimsical thingies that sit on the rooftop; one that turns and turns when the wind blows; one that people usually stop to take a peek?  Ya, that weathervane!

I always wanted one but not just any one.  I want a pig because mom loves pigs and she collects anything pig.  Moreover, I want a unique pig up there - no more flying pigs (and roosters) - and I want it simple, elegant yet artistic.  Boy, it sure takes some searching.

I finally found one that I have been looking for and I think it makes a statement.  A dancing merry pig holding a martini.  How cool is that?  And, that's definitely the Wu Family theme.

James, Jason and I chipped in and got this cute pig weathervane for mom's 75th birthday.  It's hammered out of copper and made in Maine. James secretly installed the mount couple of days ago.  Yesterday, during mom's pre-birthday celebration (we shall party again on her actual birthday), we asked mom to come outside to take a peek.  She had no idea what she was about to see.  

Mom, look up!  Look up there!  It's a PIG! 

James hid on the roof waiting for my cue.  When all eyes were on the roof above the garage, he popped the pig in the mount.  Immediately, the pig started swirling and dancing in the wind holding that lovely martini.  It was so cute!!  Mom and dad got a good kick out of it.  Mom loved it so did everyone else.  

So, from now on, folks just have to look for the house with a party pig on the roof to find the Wu House.

Party on.

It's Bath Time!

I'm having my bathroom remodeled after all these years - 20 years to be exact.  In the 20 years that I'm in this house, we have remodeled/updated the house one section at a time.  It's now the bathroom's turn - HURRAY!!

The bathroom has been as is ever since the house was built in the 70's.  Oh, correction: we had to install the shower and tiled the bathtub area when we first moved in. Everything else was there since the beginning.  All these years, it just quietly serves its purpose.  Functional, utilitarian and nothing to brag about.

But of course all things deteriorate over time.  Tiles started falling off, paint peeling off, toilet wobbly, exhaust fan struggling.  I think its day has finally come.

OK, bathroom, you're next. First of all though, we need dough!  From having enough dough, deciding on the new look and feel, picking the materials, searching for discounts to chasing down the contractor, it took me one and a half year!!

At last, we started work on March 19th.  Since I'm finally doing it, I decide to go all out.  Everything was torn down and the toilet relocated.  I even put in a sun tunnel.

Like how bones are jointed at the right places, everything has to click for things to fall into place.  The project was moving right along until this week.  We have to stop work now because the darn vanity cabinet is not here.  It had to be reshipped, the guy said.  "There was an accident."  What accident?  Did you give my order to someone else?  Ugh!  

So this is the jointing bone effect: the baseboard can't be installed because the contractor needs to know the exact location of the vanity leg in order to cut the baseboard. The toilet can't be installed because the baseboard is not in.  The medicine cabinet and the vanity light can't be installed because we need to know the exact center from the cabinet.  Towel bars cannot be installed until all these are in place.  Oh, can't forget the shower door too, which will go in last.

So close... so close... just hang in there, Suts.  It will eventually be bath time.  *sigh*

Update: the bathroom was finally done on 4/21/13 and the shower door installed on 5/20/13.

Littlest Wu Just In

Welcome, Justin Mahlon Wu!  Born on Friday, March 1, 2013 @ 9:14am.  He is the youngest son of my youngest brother Jason and wife Jennifer.

Just One More!  We thought Carli was going to be the youngest Wu.  Jason and Jennifer sure did not plan to have 4 kids, but eight years after birth of Carli, they are back to diapers, formulas, car seat, stroller, burping and sleepless nights.  Good luck, Brother and Sister!!

Within 24 hours, Justin has more photos taken than any babies in the family and his pictures were seen by family and friends all over the places thanks to Facebook and other digital communication.  He was even on Facetime within minutes after birth.  Talking about having a good connection, huh?

This picture of Justin was taken within 10 minutes after he was born.  He was face-timing with Daddy who was in DC and not able to come back for his birth.

A Growing Circle!  So another Wu at the dinner table.  Our table is getting crowded.  Mom and Dad started with a small table for two.  Then, it was a bigger table for 5, then 6,7,8,9 and now 10 (oh, and I didn't count Robert and Karen yet).  It takes more than two to make a round.  We are a perfect circle.

Happy Birthday, Justin!  We are so happy that you join the party!

Angels Among Us

Mom and Dad met a very old couple at the park today.  They were walking slowly and the grandma using a walker.  Dad got up and offered them the bench so they could rest.  They sat down and chatted with mom and dad.  Then the grandpa reached into his pocket and took out this little angel.  He handed to mom and told her to keep it for good luck.

You know what?  I think mom and dad were blessed by angels today. 

Thanksgiving 2012

So Thanksgiving came and went.  Another blessed year for the Wu Family. Nothing dramatic or extraordinary has happened.  Days of our lives passed by calmly and smoothly, like a little stream of water flowing through a quiet forest.  For that, I'm thankful.

The family got together for our annual turkey fest.  Jennifer made a beautiful 24 pound turkey.  She is getting better and better with that turkey with each year's practice.  It was juicy and moist.  Caitlin is now Jennifer's efficient kitchen help.  Carli made her first appetizer for the party.  Brandon is developing a low tone voice and he is now 12.  And guess who will be joining us next Thanksgiving? Little Justin Wu will be here in March 2013.  Yes, another new family member for the Wu clan.  For that, I'm thankful.

This Thanksgiving though has been a traumatic one for few families outside my world.  Sad news after sad news over the holiday weekends.  Family being killed on a shopping trip.  Family being swept out to sea while enjoying a stroll at the beach.  What a horrible pain losing your family any time, let alone during the holidays, and especially painful right after a family Thanksgiving gathering.  I can imagine what the surviving family members must be going through right now.... my heart goes out to them and I hope that they find peace some time soon.

This just goes to show: life is unpredictable.  We must be thankful and be grateful for what we have today.  We hope to have what we have today tomorrow and everyday, but I guess no one can guarantee that will always be the case.

So, hold on tight.  Kiss it.  Treasure it.  Say Thank You every night.

Time in a Bottle

This little vodka bottle (375ml) has been in my freezer for almost 20 years.  It's a nice size for the freezer - not too big; not to small.  It fits the side door perfectly.  I got it from the DFS duty paid store for $10 and I haven't been able to find one the same size in stores elsewhere.

This little bottle fed me dinner when my mom was in acute rehab for 30 days after her brain surgery.

I would rush to the hospital to relief my dad after work every night.  I stayed with my mom until 11:30pm or so then I came home to prepare next day's lunch and dinner for my dad who would go back to the hospital to stay with my mom for the next 12 hours.

After I cooked and cleaned up, it would be about 1am or so every night.  I had no appetite and would take a shot of super chilled vodka from this little bottle then go to bed. It put me to sleep but did not supply the nutrients.  I lost over 10 pounds in 30 days.

On the last day of my mom's stay at the hospital, I toasted myself with 2 shots of vodka and kissed the bottle.  "We made it," I cheered!

Merry Christmas!

Robert and I will host the this year's Christmas Eve dinner at his house.  His family, mine and our dogs will all be together as one big family.

I asked everyone to wear something RED for dinner.  Let's get some color in our pictures, I said. And, I was peppered with questions:

"Can I wear a red bow?"
"Does a red scarf count?"
"How about red underwear?"

I just have to chuckle.  My family. Gotta love them.

Merry Christmas everyone.  The best gift in the world is to share a joyous night with your family.  I count my blessings.

I'm Very Thankful

THANKSGIVING 2011.  Jennifer claims Thanksgiving as her holiday and every year she goes all out in making the turkey and making this day very special for the Wu family.

Another great family holiday came and gone.  Can't believe that it was already a week ago when we gathered at Jason and Jennifer's place for the holiday meal.  It took Jennifer a month to plan and two weeks to put things together, and couple of days to get ready.  And just like that, it was here and gone.

As always, the family started with a toast and a round of Thank You to each one of us.  Yes, we are thankful that the family is always there for one and other providing unconditional love and support.  Yes, we are thankful that in this difficult time, we still have jobs and we still get to splurge a little bit.  Nothing fancy, nothing big but we were able to enjoy things within our means.  And yes, we are thankful that we are all able to celebrate Thanksgiving together.  Nothing is more important than that.  Unfortunately, for some families, that was just not possible due to unpredictable circumstances.

Personally, I'm thankful that life is very good to me.  Things can always be better, but I am thankful for what I have today.  I'm also thankful that I have the ability to do better tomorrow.

Thank you, Jennifer, for making this beautiful 20-pound turkey.  It was yum!

Let's Play (Meat)ball!

One of my mom's special dishes is "deep fried pork meatballs".  It does not contain lots of spices or ingredients, but, boy, is it tasty!!

Every time when Mom made them, the sizzling frying sound and the hunger-making aroma would attract my brothers and me to the kitchen.  We would hang around her by the stove like hawks eager for a taste test.  When the meatballs were cooked and scooped up from the fryer, we would take them from the plate within seconds. Even Dad would pretend that he was looking for something to drink and pick up a couple before retreating to the TV room.  Mom never could make enough to fill the plate and had to shoo us away or the meatballs would never make it to the dinner table.

Mom's deep fried meatballs is one of our favorite comfort foods and it's a "family signature" dish.  It's a family recipe that was passed down from Grandma to her kids.  Mom mastered it.  I think some of my cousins also could make them like Grandma.  Mom has now taught me and I hope my cousins have taught their kids too. Wouldn't it be great that every generation knows how to make this signature dish with the same flavor and taste?

So what's so special about this meatball anyway?  Can't really tell you but I know you will love it.  Here's the recipe.  Perhaps you can tell me what so magical about it.
Ingredients:
Ground pork
Lots of finely chopped green onion
Lots of finely chopped garlic
soy sauce
sugar
salt
one egg
some corn starch

That's it.
Oh, in my last attempt, I added tofu since I still have a little bit of it.
Next:

• Combine everything.
• Throw the ground pork against the mixing bowl (sorry, I don't know the technical term) until it hardens a bit.  Mom said you need to do this step to push out the air bubbles otherwise you will have holes in the meatballs.
• Roll into little balls and fry them.
• The meatballs goes well with steaming fluffy white rice.  Yum-yum-yum.

Give it a try, people.  This recipe is at least 60-70 years old yet it still tastes very "modern".

Thank you, grandma for the recipe!!

My New Life Started 38 Years Ago

July 21, 1973. That was the date that my brothers and I stepped on the American soil for the very first time.

We were little kids then – younger than Brandon and Carli today. We arrived to a foreign land to start a new life. Looking back, we certainly didn’t know what life would bring us. Just like now, we don’t know where future will take us.

From a kid's perspective, we observed and had to adjust quickly as soon as we stepped out the airport. There were a lot to take in:

Woo! Look at Dad’s big Chevrolet Nova sedan! We were used to seeing smaller cars back in Taiwan. It was so cool that we could all squeeze in the back seat with room to spare. And look at all those yellow taxis!! How come they were not red like in Taiwan??

Wow! Look at that big stretch of highway. Is it called “high-way” because it’s high above the ground?  In Taiwan, cars traveled on narrow surface streets because there was no highway/freeway back then. It was amazing to feel Dad’s car traveled fast on big empty roads.

Wow! Look at that, hills in the city!! We thought it was strange that the streets of San Francisco went up and down. And look at our apartment! It was right on a slanted street!

“We’re home!” said Mom. Our first apartment was on Balboa St. and 16th Ave. It was a fourplex and we had one of the top units. The kids found the house odd. It was all wood! Narrow wood stairs with carpet. Wood floors, wood panels, wood everything... In Taiwan, our house was concrete. Hmmm… there was no ceiling light. Instead, there were floor lamps emitting a warm yellow color light. In Taiwan, we were used to bright white fluorescent ceiling light. We didn’t have floor or table lamps. I remembered that we had fun pulling the light switch repeatedly. Somehow that little dangling metal pull was fascinating.

We also thought the windows in our unit were funny. How come they stuck out and not straight? Now we know that it’s called a “Bay Window”. My brothers and I decided that we each could hog a panel and call it our own “window”.

I recalled that we were able to look out to the ocean from some of the bay windows. That was exciting too. In Taiwan, we had to drive outside the city to see the ocean because Taipei sat in a valley. We were poor city kids trapped by buildings and only got to see the ocean when our parents took us on field trips. It was refreshing even for little kids like us to see the sky meeting a flat sea at the end right from our home!!  Wow!!

The shower was a new experience for us too. In Taiwan, people took bath not shower. Bathtubs were made of concrete and usually built along with the house. You would fill the tub with water, soap and rinse outside the tub then jump in for a soak. We did not use showers. We used a bucket to splash ourselves with. For our first bath in the US, mom had to teach us to turn on the shower and stand in the tub. DON’T GET THE FLOOR WET!! I have to tell you, it was very hard for little kids to do. Taking a shower was equivalent to playing in the rain.

The biggest thing for the kids to get used to was “no running in the house”. We had to be light with our footsteps because we did not want to disturb the downstairs neighbors. We were used to live in a one-story house with concrete floors and where everything was solid and sturdy. The American house seemed so fragile!

First night in the U.S. Our first home in the US was a one-bed room apartment. So Mom and Dad converted the formal dining room to our bedroom. They got us three single beds. Wow! Our own beds!! In Taiwan, we three kids had shared one huge custom-built bed that took half of the bedroom. Yes, we were able to roll, jump and play on that bed, but we did not have our own space. This was such a treat. Our own beds!! Since I was the oldest, I got the bed next to the bay window. And following the pecking order, Jason, the youngest one, got the bed next to the kitchen door.

First morning in the U.S. I remembered I woke up and I made my bed. First time ever in my life too! No one taught me how. I just did it and I told myself, this is my new life.

I'm Thankful!

Thanksgiving 2010. Another turkey day is here and the family gathered for our annual turkey dinner. Look around. Everyone is present. Can't ask for more.

Mom and Dad are doing great. The second generation Wu kids are getting old. The third generation Wu kids are growing up and starting to find their own identities. Weren't we so young once? Seemed like only yesterday...

I'm thankful that everyone is healthy and safe. We may not be rich but we are wealthy because we have each other. We get to love and hug our parents, siblings, honey and the little ones. Not every family is so lucky. So treasure what we have and enjoy that turkey. Not every turkey is as lucky as us.

Thanks again to Jennifer who tackled that 23 pound turkey. Another great Thanksgiving and another one for the memory.

Road to Recovery - One Step at a Time

Mommy took a BIG step this week. She took a trip to Monterey. It is the first time in three years after her stroke. GOD! We are so proud of her!!

Mommy has not traveled far since she suffered the stroke. She did not have the strength or the endurance to stay out. Daddy has worked with her on exercising and building back her strength since day one. He has been there for her 24/7. He is such a great husband!!

In April 2007, we were planning on going to Costa Rica for vacation. The trip was put on hold because Mommy's doctor would not allow her to fly. Mommy was disappointed because it meant she was medically disable and it was very hard for her to accept. We told her that Costa Rica will always be there for her.

For a while, Mommy could only take baby steps and would get tired easily. It was expected when she had her brain opened to have a 3-4 in blood clot removed. The slowly seeping blood had zapped some of the nerves that controlled her speech, right arm and both legs. Mommy could not move and speak for couple of weeks after the surgery.

You would have to witness her progress to appreciate what Mommy accomplishes today. Right after the surgery in April 2007, Mommy was in acute rehab for a month. She could not even move her feet/legs at first. The physical therapists had to move her leg one step at a time. They worked 6-7 hours a day, 30 days straight.

At first Mommy needed help standing up. Then, she started using the cane to stay balanced, then she started moving her legs -- one exhausting step at a time. Then, she started walking more and more. Babies steps in the backyard. Walks around the block. Climbing stairs. Stay out for 30 minutes, 90 minutes, 2 hours, 4 hours.... now, at times she can even walk without assistance. It was a long way to recovery but she did it.

Our first big test was in March of this year when she took a field trip to Tomales Bay nonstop. She did it!! So I said let's try Monterey which required her to be on the road for 3 hours nonstop and she did it again.

We're back from our little 1-Day/1-Night excursion. Next, we will try Lake Tahoe/Reno, then perhaps LA or Las Vegas. We will make our way back down to Mexico and eventually COSTA RICA. Yes, it's there waiting for Mommy.

A big salute to my parents and to all of you who are working hard to get back to normal life. YES, YOU CAN!

Got Sushi

Chef in the House. Robert, Brian and I put a sushi party together last Saturday, 2/6/10, at my house. It was quite entertaining. Not only we had a real sushi chef (Brian), we even had all the right stuff from plates, bowls, condiments, torch to a sushi bar. Yes, Robert and Brian set up a console table with a granite top that was just right for making sushi.

Dad's friends happened to be visiting and they were invited to stay for dinner. They were pretty impressed with how efficient we were in setting up the kitchen and putting the mini sushi bar together. They realized we really meant business when Brian put on his black head chef jacket and James and I in white. Yes, we were Brian's sous chefs for the night.

Everyone knew how to execute; even Carli played a darn good baby waitress. Mom, Dad and their friends had a great time. Brian was happy that his sushi was greatly appreciated. Everyone else all got to eat and play. The real restaurant part was when a tip jar was passed around.

Over 200 pictures were taken. I trimmed down to 85 and made a photo essay of our evening. Here goes. View full screen at 720p for HD. Thanks a million, Brian!

I'm Thankful!

Thanksgiving 2009. We gathered at Jason and Jennifer's house for our annual turkey dinner.

Another turbulent year for the world, fortunately, our family is going through it without major hiccups. Life is not always perfect, but we got more than some others: health, jobs, creature comforts and we have each other.

Over the years, I have learned to appreciate and enjoy what I already have in life and not what I want in life. HAVING is a good thing. WANTING will keep you itching for more. Wanting to win the lotto just can't beat having the opportunity to share the

Thanksgiving turkey (and all the trimmings) with the ones you love. That, is priceless!

Life is good all things considering. For that, I'm thankful!

p.s. Again, I'm thankful that Jennifer tackled the 25 pound turkey. Great job, sis!

It's So Hard to Say Good Bye

Dudu Keng: 5/29/1996 - 12/12/2008

Robert and I had to say good-bye to Dudu today. His kidney failed and he was not responding to treatment. Dr. Kim said best to let him go because he was suffering. Robert and I knew it was the best for Dudu but does it hurt to make that decision.

The pain was just as bad as when we had to let Max go. It never gets easier. Knowing that no one will be waiting at the door is heartbreaking. No wagging, no running in circles, no demanding for hugs and treats... life is so different without Max then and Dudu now.

Dudu. His name meant round and chubby in Chinese. Yap, he was a chubby puppy running fast on 4 stubby legs. He grew to become quite a handsome boy. He had thought that he could be the alpha dog in the house but gave up after trying for a day. Max was Mr. Alpha. Dudu wasn't sour though. He was happy to be the little brother following Max around. they were inseparable.

Dudu became our only son when Max passed away. He filled the void left by Max and eased our pain of losing Max. He faithfully kept Robert company when he worked in the wee hours. He rather stayed with Robert and sleep on the floor than in his doggy bed in the bedroom.

It's so true that dogs are man's special friends. They never complain and never ask for anything in return. We are truly lucky to be selected as their best friends.

Rest in peace, Dudu. Thank you for all the love and joy. You were a wonderful doggy and it was a privilege to be your mommy and daddy.

I'm Thankful!

THANKSGIVING 2008. The holiday came and gone. The turkey was cooked and eaten. But, thankfulness stays. I'm very thankful that it was another good year with no major hiccups. Life may not be perfect but I really can't complain.

I'm thankful that mom and dad are relatively healthy. Mom continues to improve. I'm thankful that Robert, James, Jason, Jennifer, Caitlin, Brandon and Carli are healthy and safe. Oh, I must add Karen to the list now. What a great girl to enter James' life!

I'm thankful that I have true friends and more friends reconnected via Web 2.0. Friendship is precious and I treasure every one of them. Thank you for being there for me!!

The world may not be perfect but it was a perfect evening for the family. Being together is the most important thing for me and I'm thankful that I have the opportunity.

And I'm very thankful that Jennifer was the one who tackled this 22-pound turkey.

When Family Gets Together…

Big Aunt flew from Taiwan to LA last Monday with her son and daughter, Dr. Chen and Kelly. After one day of rest, they drove up to visit. ChingYing, Auntie’s second daughter, decided to come along. We were so excited because this meant we got to see most of their family except ChingHuey who is in New Jersey.

This was a rare occasion that so many of us could get together - under one roof - and for three WHOLE days!!!

WE EAT. Doesn't matter when and where. First order of the business: put food on the table and chow down. They arrived late on Wednesday (10/8) because the darn GPS didn’t work. I prepared a lavish seafood dinner and we waited for them to finally arrive at 9:30pm. I did my famous clam bake, boiled up two Dungeness crabs and shucked a dozen oysters. It was Woos and Ahhs all the way to 1:30am. I felt so accomplished that I demonstrated more of my culinary talents the next two nights. I think everyone was so excited that no one really cared how I cooked.

WE DRINK. Didn’t know we could drink. We had such a great time just sitting around the table sipping wine and enjoying like there was no tomorrow. Well, for me there was, because I had to go to work. But we really made the most of it. My little wine rack was almost empty but Dr. Chen restocked it before he left.

WE TALK,LAUGH AND SING. We did our best to catch up in the three days that they were here. There were so many stories to tell, new and old. Mom and Auntie were telling us stories from their childhood. We were teasing each other about our childhood. When the Moms and Dads were dating, one of the kids (older cousins) usually tagged along. When my older cousins started dating, the younger ones (like my brothers and I) would usually tag along. We laughed at family jokes. Someone would start singing out of the blue and the rest would joined in - that's a tradmark of our family. The clinking of the glass, the cheers and the laughter could be heard outside of the house into the wee hours. Nights were very young.

WE CRY. When it was time for them to leave to go back to LA on Saturday (10/11), Mom and Auntie hugged and cried. The girls were hugging and crying too. The guys ran away but they were red-eyed. The farewell went around for about 30 minutes. Endless pictures taking and more hugging and crying. Eventually, we did have to part. They drove off but we kept waving at each other until the car turned the corner.

Blood is thicker than water (and wine). It’s so hard to say good bye.

NYC: The Good,The Bad & The Ugly

THE UGLY. Hot. Steamy. Sticky. Stuffy. Cloudy and Rainy. Not a very good combo for summer. The humidity is just too much for me. Want a different summer? Come visit San Francisco!

Ladies were all in sun dresses baring shoulders and legs. Funny how everyone (yes, even the guys) was wearing flip-flaps - not the nice ones too. I looked out of place in my loafers.

THE BAD. I had a horrible hotel experience this time. The AC broke down. It would ice up and block the air flow. So, the AC man said to turn it to warm to melt the ice. WHAT? Then from Wednesday night on, there was no hot water - just luke warm - for shower. So, I was cold in the shower, and hot in the room. Well! That was one heck of a way to experience the NY summer.

THE GOOD. I countered the worst with the best. I got to see cousin Ching-Huey and her husband. It has been so long since I last saw her - and this is the first time I met Mr. Chang (and they've been married over 20 years). They drove over from New Jersey last night fighting traffic all the way. I booked a table for dinner at City Crab & Seafood Company. It was a pretty nice restaurant. It happened to be the New York Restaurant Week so we all went for the pre-fix menu. Three of us shared 3 appetizers, 3 main courses and 3 desserts. Oh, yes, we had a oyster platter too. It was heaven!

Seeing my dear cousin made this week all good.