COOKING FOR THE KIDS

I was really excited to cook for my nieces. Having a Korean mom (my sister Mary) and Taiwanese Dad, these are girls I knew loved to eat such things as kimchee, duck eggs, pig ears, etc. So of course, they would love my udon, my yakisoba, my Indian dishes. The first night I cooked, I decided to make udon and it was not a hit. Chase, Mary and I were the only ones who ate it. Next, I made my favorite rice and mixed beans and this met with the same result. My last attempt at cooking for the girls, I cooked a simmered kabocha dish thinking, “who doesn’t like kabocha?”  People who don’t like pumpkin. People like my nieces. Sometimes, you just have to know when to stop. It was at this point I realized the cost effectiveness of me buying ingredients for “exotic” new dishes which would not be enjoyed by more than 2-3 people, just wasn’t worth it. I think Mary was sort of relieved I quit too. I think she liked what I was cooking, but she probably felt badly that the girls just weren’t into it. It just goes to show that sometimes, kids are just used to certain dishes cooked  by their parents and that’s what is comfortable for them. I understand that. I fondly remember dishes that my mom made and even though I may order these same dishes at other places, it just isn’t the same and never as good.

CHASE

Yesterday after Dad, Mary, Chase and I came home from playing tennis, we saw a runaway basketball rolling down the street as we turned into Mary’s driveway. Chase jumped out saying, “I’ll go get that ball! Maybe I’ll make some new friends!” A few minutes passed and he came walking through the door. I said, “You didn’t want to play with the boys?” and he says, “They were racists.” Evidently, after the boys all convened, one of the boys started right off reading Chase’s shirt: LOVE. SAVE. JAPAN. and then saying, “What the fuck?” They then “asked” if Chase was Chinese, to which he responded “I’m not Chinese.” and walked away. After he told me what happened, he asked me if he handled it alright. I said, “Are you alive to fight another day?” I also asked him how he felt. He said he felt like punching them in the face. I told him if they provoked him again or dared to lay 1 finger on his body then he had my permission to punch their faces. I can’t help it, but when I hear about kids like this, I  judge the parents. I already know these are people not worth knowing. I was watching the news about that bus monitor who was horribly bullied by the kids on her bus and the way the parents were “handling” it. I don’t get it. I hate that the rest of the world has to hear about that kind of crap from the US, but I guess that’s the world we live in. At least it ended up where hopefully she’ll be able to retire.

Fortunately the next day when we went to the neighborhood pool, a 12 year old boy named Steve approached Chase at the diving board and asked if he could play with him. It wasn’t 10 minutes before they came over and Steve was asking if Chase could come over to his house or even spend the night. I had no intention of letting him go over to some stranger’s home, but I kind of played along a little bit because I could see the surprised look on Chase’s face. Even he was a little shocked at how quickly this relationship was moving ahead. At one point, Chase actually slapped my bottom just a fraction “too hard” trying to be funny. I got the point, but I just liked torturing him a little. I said, “Chase, why don’t you walk over to Steve’s dad and introduce yourself?” Later on, I explained to both of them that I couldn’t just let Chase go spend the night at someone’s home without knowing their parents and that we could meet here again after everyone returned from camp. I was glad that through Steve, white boys in America didn’t all have to be “racists”.

ADJUSTING

The other day on our way out to run errands, I actually asked my sister, “Does this look too much like pajamas?” After months of putting on heels just to go to 7/11, I had to laugh at myself.

Chase, Dad and I finally went to see the Avengers. As I was walking towards the theater, Chase and my dad come running out. Chase says, “Mom! What’s our seat assignments?!?” and I say to him, “Honey, we’re in America, no assigned seating.” To which he says, “Awesome!” and heads back in. The movie was pretty action-packed and easy to watch if not follow. I have to admit, I think Capt. America is my favorite. I’ll bet a lot of immigrants feel like this. Everytime he was onscreen I felt like crying. I think it’s because he represents what being American should be.

Not a Racist

CLEAR & BRILLIANT UPDATE

It’s been a week since I had my face lasered. I can already tell, I love it. There isn’t a huge difference but I can tell there is a tightening and smoothing that has happened. I know it will only get better with each successive treatment. The sandpaperiness went away a couple of days ago. I also felt like I had a small “breakout” but it only lasted about 2 days.

My skin looks fine when I don’t have any expression (but how long can that last?). I started to notice when I took pictures, there were extra lines around my mouth and into my cheeks that sort of were new and definitely unwanted. I think this is going to help that a lot.

TIMELINE

July 2nd Drive to Columbia with my dad

July 7th Drive to Atlanta

July 8th Lunch with my Atlanta BFFs!!!! (pictures of course, that means you Debra!)

July 9th Fly back to DC

July 17th Clear & Brilliant the Sequel

July 20th Fly to Maine

July 21st Family Day and Fly back with Chasie!

Until next time…