My Rachel Wanna-Be Ray Moment

Here is a video I did at the Kraft Headquarters for Oscar Mayer in Madison Wisconsin. I'll be writing more about this shortly.

In Memory of Low-Yeh

Leaving a life event untold in my own personal blog just didn’t feel right. This topic is one that will go against one of my blog rules. But to not write about it feels like it is an omission in my life. So just for once, I will talk about family beyond my kids and husband.

My Low-Yeh (Father-In-Law) passed away a few weeks back. I’m not writing about why and how he died. But I’m writing about what he meant for me as his daughter-in-law. He was a proud grandfather, a wonderful husband, a great father to my husband and his siblings, and most importantly, for me, he was a good father-in-law.

Most of our conversations were cordial, almost rehearsed since it is always as follows.

FIL: “Hi Mely (Mary), how’s your faddah and maddah”
Me: Fine, and they say hello too.
FIL: “They feelin’ ohkay?”
Me: Yes, thank you.
FIL: “What you want to eat?”
Me: Anything Low-Yeh (Father-In-Law) . I’m fine with anything.
FIL: “Mely, you lak fish-ee?” (Do you like fish?)
Me: Yes, Doh Tse (Thank You)

And off he goes to order fish to pick-up for lunch or dinner. He’s a thoughtful man. He is always taking care of others first before himself. I wish he knew how much I appreciate him. I would’ve told him, but I don’t think he would’ve understood what “appreciate” means in English, and I can’t speak Cantonese. So “Doh Tse” (Thank You) was the best I can do

My oldest son (9) took it very hard, and for me this is probably the first time I had someone that close to me that died. Watching the video at his Memorial Service about his life from his teen years, to his marriage up to the time he held each grandchild left us in more tears. My husband couldn’t bear to watch the video; he just kept his eyes closed.

During the Eulogy, my son, the first grandchild of all 7 got up to read a poem. He knew he was speaking for his Yeh-Yeh (Grandpa) and although for days he has been lost for words but just filled with pain, grief, and tears, this time he stood tall and proud. Our hearts burst with pride while he resembles an adult at that very moment. He read it and he read it well. It was a poem about being free. It gave my husband comfort to hear the words of what his father could’ve been saying to us. And so I share that poem with you below. I hope that these words can bring comfort to those who had also lost a loved one.

Low Yeh, you are terribly missed and I pray that you will be always be there to watch over your grandchildren. And as your son always says, see you again later and Doh Tse.

I’m Free
Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free
I’m following the path God has laid you see.
I took His hand when I heard him call
I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day
To laugh, to love, to work, to play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way
I found that peace at the close of day.

If my parting has left a void
Then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss
Oh yes, these things I too will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life’s been full, I savored much
Good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch.

Perhaps my time seemed all too brief
Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your hearts and peace to thee
God wanted me now; He set me free.

What I miss when I get some time alone away from home...

Besides my own remote, own bed, (own pillow!), a nice long shower, alarm clock and room service that greets me a Good Morning with a smile. Mommy needs a break once in awhile you know! Is that so wrong?

Oh I wish I was an Oscar Mayer Wiener! Actually, I rode in one!!! No kidding!

Hot-diggity-dog! I was asked to join a tweet-up event a few weeks back hosted by Oscar Mayer and received a VIP seating on the wienermobile! Yes, the big hotdog ride. First of all, VIP? Are you tawkin' to me? But anyhoo - It was quite an honor to be chosen, but yet I was slightly embarrassed having to be picked up by a hotdog in front of my house.

What's a mama to do? So I asked if they can pick me up at the neighborhood park instead so the kids can actually see and possibly tour the wienermobile inside. And to my excitement, they agreed!!! So I invited parents to come and meet us at the park after school with their kids and it turned out to be so much fun. They all even received a sticker saying "I saw the wienermobile" and received the wienermobile whistles too. I was my kid's hero for the day, and you should see the pride in their eyes when their Mom was whisked away by a big hotdog. haha!

How was the ride? First let me tell you that the floor was with the wiggly mustard carpeting that I find hilarious and the 2 wienermobile hotdoggers (drivers) are women! How cool is that!? They are also the most infectiously joyful girls that were such a delight to be around with. As we passed through the busy downtown State Street, I have never had so much fun watching people wave at us and take pics while our lovely driver plays the tune " Oh, I wish I was an Oscar Mayer Wiener" song. Some people sang back, and some are mostly smiling back like they were 5 years old once again. It was really a happy, happy ride!

Check out the pics and some videos below. And oh, I'm heading out to Madison, Wisconsin for what else - Oscar Mayer!!!!! Woohoo...Will tell you more soon.

Oh and thanks to Elizabeth Cron and Kevin of Weber Shandwick for organizing the wienermobile pick-up ride. Also a shout-out to Nora Sarrawi for getting me involved in the State of Sandwich Conference in Madison, WI tomorrow! I'm so excited.








We even paid a visit to Jerry Taft - Chicago's twitterlebrity ABCnews metereologist in Chicago. He even took a pic of us!

What does Family Dinner have to do with it? Lots I Tell You!

This posting is one that I have been meaning to do for some weeks now.

First off, let me say that Nestle along with Publicis has done an amazing job with the Let’s Fix Dinner Round Table Event in Cleveland. (Solon to be particular) It was a day full of really interesting talks on what is so near and dear to most of us Moms: Our Family. I’m in it to not only learn how I can do a better job in getting my children to eat properly and hopefully can contribute what has worked for me, but what they had planned for us was just so amazing that I hope I can convey how grateful and appreciative I am in my writing. (Although this is really late!)

I’ve written about how I first received my itinerary package at home complete with all the very generous gifts. And that was just a little tasting. Okay, I feel a little guilty of what else we’ve received in there so let me just recap that by saying that we were even more excited what Nestle / Stouffer / Publicis when were handed with even with more gifts to take home.

But what I really want to talk about is about the amazing group of expert panelist that reiterated that although we’re talking about “Let’s Fix Dinner”, they are simply saying that it doesn’t have to be dinner…if the family are normally together to sit and eat for breakfast, then that’s what is. If Dad isn’t there to sit during dinner because of his work schedule, then Mom’s presence with her children is just fine.

According to The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse aka CASA founded in their research that:
Teens that have frequent family dinners:
…are more likely to say their parents are very proud of them
…more likely to say that their parents are the adults they would go to if they had a serious problem
…are more likely to say they get mostly A’s and B’s
…are the less likely they are to smoke, drink or use drugs.

Just to read that alone, my eyes and ears have opened up even more. Because although I am not the best cook, I’m pretty sure there are many other ways I can find to make the process of making and eating meals more enjoyable for our family.

I have also learned that bringing more conversations during meals are the best way to talk to your children. And that going beyond the “how’s your day?” questions can bring out more talking from my kids. Carmen Staicer of Mom To The Screaming Masses mentioned that they do a round of good and bad stories that happened that day, and each one takes turn. This is definitely something that I am starting to do.

Thank you Stouffers for giving our families a chance to see what a little Family Dinner can do. And thank you for letting us help in spreading the word that can help strengthen familial bonds and even mend all the strains in our daily hubbubs.

Let's Fix Dinner challenge is also on full steam and is as easy to join in.

• 1. Sign up and set your weekly dinner goal. You're automatically entered into let's fix dinner™ Challenge Sweepstakes for the Sweepstakes Period in which you sign up.
• 2. Update your dinner status each week for additional chances to win fun family prizes.
• 3. When you sign up, they'll help feed hungry families by donating to Feeding America™.

And of course, this would not be complete without saying thanks to Simon Bowers and Publicis for this wonderful opportunity.