I want to be a part of it...New York...New York!

So I'm spreading the news (ala Liza Minelli) that I'm in NY for this week on a Consumer Union Activist Summit and I couldn't be more excited! Consumer Union is the nonprofit Publisher of Consumer Reports.

I'm still tickled that I got invited to join them and I'm surrounded by some really inspiring group of people. On Friday, all attendees will get to tour the Consumer Reports' facilities where they actually test products for review. How cool is that!? I will resume in posting and will be visiting blogs as soon as I get a chance to.

I wanna wake up in a city, that doesn't sleep....Ok. I'll stop now! lol

The Optimist In Me

As I try to grasp with all that is happening around me, I have yet landed myself another big responsibility. Last week I was up to my throat in getting Chicagonista.com launched and today I won the seat for secretary of the school board by a landslide. Ok, that's not entirely the truth. I won by default. Well, that's sort of the truth. But really, there was no one else who wants to get nominated, other than another Mom and I who will be sharing the position. I'm laughing as I type this, but the whole responsibility that comes along with it is not a laughing matter.

When I became a mother I remember sitting in a corner asking myself “what have I gotten myself into”? I was so hard on myself. Many times I wondered if I could be a good mother. I was drowning in self-doubt but determined to not fail in motherhood. I then surrounded myself with supportive mothers in mommy groups and playgroups in search for better parenting skills. As time passed by I became more comfortable and my insecurities as a new mother fizzled. I am proud of what I’ve become and I can actually say that I'm a great mom without cringing.

Ever since then, I've learned to be at ease on what I can actually accomplish. Right before my second pregnancy (2 years after my firstborn), I opened my own business. It was invigorating, and the business thrived. After about 6 years down, I closed it because of family. And at to this day I'm at peace with it. I gave it my all, and it gave back 10 fold the reward in money and emotional fulfillment.

Then a new phase in my life came about early last year when I decided to launch MomViews.net. It brought back my writing mojo and entrepreneurial spirit alive again. That is a reward in itself, but never in my wildest dreams did I ever think of the success it will bring. I worked hard on it and took things seriously as I always do in any job. In return, I was rewarded with so many things that may be incomprehensible to one that is clueless of the social media power and blogging combined can bring. I got my feet wet and desired for bigger web existence. This past week, Chicagonista.com launched. I solicited another passionate writer and eco chic organizer friend for partnership and we cranked many hours of hard work and preparation into it. The site is publicly just 2 weeks old, and already I’m seeing many wonderful rewards coming my way.

I am optimistic that this new title as Secretary of the School Board will make a difference. I won't allow myself to get into the "what have I got myself into" zone again. Sure, I'll look like a fish out of water for the first few weeks. I also know that it'll take more than rearranging my calendars to make room. But with a little of my experience, knowing my own self-worth is much more important than having self-doubt. I will strive to work hard and I will reap the rewards in my children. And that is how I will roll...

So bring it on!

Reminiscing 10-15-94

14 years ago I woke up at 5:30am running to the Marshall Field's salon on State St. With just a little over 4 hours of sleep, I felt tired but extremely excited for my Wedding Day.

We had a Roman Catholic wedding and a traditional Chinese 10 course banquet reception for almost 300 guests. The day packed with other festivities like the private Tea Ceremony, Lion Dance, and fireworks. It was one magical day that my husband and I will never forget.

Because our wedding was way before all the digital cameras came around and way too lazy to scan the pictures, I decided to take photos from my wedding album with my cell phone. Is that sad? lol


I always liked this "Just Got Married" limo pic maybe because I was able to finally breathe after the ceremony. The picture on the right are of my parents, siblings, and I before the wedding.


We were married in Our Lady Of Lourdes, a beautiful historical church in the north side of Chicago and here is our entire wedding entourage taken in Church. The picture on the right are of the girls and I. I actually designed and picked all the materials for my bridesmaids and flower girls' dresses. The long part of the skirt was taken off at the reception so they also had a simpler and more comfortable look after the church wedding. Hey this was in 1994, so it looked like 1994! lol


Here at the reception with a different dress and do. Traditionally I was supposed to wear a Cheongsam; a Chinese dress, but since I am Filipino I opted for a red cocktail dress instead. It didn't feel right for me to wear one because it felt very fake-y and costume-y. I want it to be significant and not just because I had to. I also didn't feel that connection at that time. And although I am very respectful of the Chinese family I married into, I also thought that it was enough that the whole reception was very Chinese already. The character in the background is called "Double Happiness" which is a symbol that is typically used in Chinese weddings.

I hope that you enjoyed a little piece of my history. At least I enjoyed sharing it with all of you. Happy Anniversary Babe!!!

Move Over Einstein or maybe Van Gogh?

My kindergartener has always had quite a photographic memory. He was about 16 months old when I first remembered the time he knew where I had placed things that was done weeks before. There was also a time when we didn't think he was listening while my husband and I were looking for a certain something and he got up and pulled it out for us. Ever since then, we would ask him if he's seen the remote on this table, or the keys on that dresser, and almost every single time he'll remember where he saw it last.



In school they are starting to write in Chinese characters. Memorization plays a key role on which brush/pen stroke means what. One wrong placement of a stroke can mean a whole different word. Quite obviously he has excelled in this as well. Well today I found him drawing Arthur (one of his favorite cartoon character) without copying from any materials. All purely from his photographic memory. I am still in awe on what his little brain can do.

But can someone tell me, why the heck can't he remember to eat his school lunch? I ask him everyday "Did you eat your lunch"? He'll say "No". Not because he doesn't like the broccoli or the meatballs. Nope. He simply say "I forgot!"

Soybeaners!

My husband and I laughed so hard on this video. There were many things in here that almost every Asian-American kid has gone through - like the part someone trying to speak "ching chong". It's funny now, but not then. Actually my son had his first taste of this just this summer and I remember how hurt he was. He's ok now after talking and it is nice to see that he laughed really hard with this video. He's obviously over it and more prepared to face anything else to come. So why don't you watch and laugh with us.

How's your digital life doing?

I'm sending you on your way to the ChicagoMomsBlog.com again today for another one of my write-up called "My so-called digital life". I've closed off comments on this posting, so go there and share how you manage to live a "second life"

BUZZ! BUZZ! BUZZ!

How's my new look? Does it make my butt look big? Oh whatever, I already know it's big. But I hope you are diggin' my blog's new and improved(?) do.

The family and I have been buzzing with events and activities and I just simply can't keep up with the blogging part of it. I've been mentally blogging about all these "happy crazy" stuff going on and always planned to actually write it, but a lot of other important matters seem to pop up just as soon as I get a chance to sit down in front of my laptop. So now I am going to attempt in posting some recent photos and links that can hopefully suffice in getting all caught up.

These photos were taken just a little over a week ago from a wedding we attended. I am surprised in how the pictures came out because the reception hall was quite dim. The 2 top pictures are of my youngest and my firstborn.

My middle child is the ring bearer for this wedding. For a 5 year old, he is quite experienced in this line of work. So if you ever need a ring bearer, you know who to call. This one has his own tux and quite a charmer with the ladies. I also like the picture of my husband and I on the right. We never really get to take a lot of pictures together anymore because the lens is magnetically always focused on the kiddos you know!


So, how'd you like my sweaty look? With the 3 kids in tow for the wedding, all I did was pretty much chase them around. However, I wish we took the time to take a family picture.

I also just launched a new site called ChicagoMomViews.net which is the local urban site of MomViews.net. I am so excited about this project and I am currently hard at work in getting the NY and SF launched in a few months. Woohoo. I've also attached the email blast that was sent out yesterday that I would love for all of you to see. So click on the images that is linked to the actual image and site.





Just as I am trying to get all caught up here, I will resume in checking and reading through all my favorite blogs to visit. Looking forward in reading some of your updates.