4 Steps to a Stress-Free Thanksgiving

* With Thanksgiving only a little over 2 weeks away (November 22, 2007) I thought this article might help. This article was taken from the GoodHousekeeping website.

1. Start early. Think it's impossible to avoid last-minute kitchen chaos and stress? Think again. GH (GoodHousekeeping) will help you get it all done in advance by doing a little preparation each day. Starting November 8, we'll provide daily to-do's, smart ideas, and practical how-to's.

2. Plan your menu. Browse GH recipes for quintessential Thanksgiving recipes, like out Classic Roast Turkey, and twists on the traditional, like Sangria Cranberry Sauce or Sweet Potato Stew.

3. Take kitchen inventory. It's time to clean out your cupboards and your refrigerator to make room. Use our too-it-out guide to determine which foods have overstayed their welcome. While you're digging around in your cabinets, make sure you have all the gadgets you'll need for Thanksgiving. From electric carving knives to stain-resistant tablecloths, get GHRI-recommended picks.

4. Give thanks. It's never too early to show a little gratitude, and it's never too late to start a new family tradition. Tell us what you have to be gratefull for this Thanksgiving, share the ways you'll give thanks on the big day, and get ideas on how to make guests share theirs.

Adventure in babysitting

Jim & I babysat our little niece, Karsen, today. My mother in law whom usually babysits her while her parents are at work had a doctor's appointment today so we are the backup babysitters.

We really enjoyed having her over. She will be 2 at the end of this month (her birthday is a day before our wedding anniversary) and learning to talk. She really loves animals (her parents have 2 dogs and a cat) so she wants to play with Sammy & Tiger whenever she comes over.

Tiger is a little afraid of her so he would hide in our bedroom but Sammy usually comes out and stares at her. Sammy gets a little jealous when he sees her with me. Like today, Karsen was napping beside me and Sammy gave her a "dirty" look before settling himself beside me to nap too. She would cry out ,"CAT!!" whenever she sees him and tries to pat him but Sammy usually stays at a safe distance away.

The picture above was taken about a year ago when Karsen was about 10 or 11 months old. I can't believe that she's going to be 2 soon. I remember when she came home from the hospital about a week after her birth, she was so tiny then. She was born 6 weeks early so she was really tiny but you wouldn't know that if you see her now, she is tall and quite active. Jim & I just love her to pieces....and would gladly babysit her anytime...

Better half

Melepaking

I woke up this morning at about 5:30am with Sammy on my chest purring to his heart's content. I have been awake for about 3 hours now and have not done a thing, not even taken my shower (phew)!!! I just feel like being a lazy bum today. Nothing on the agenda today...no work, no doctor's appointments, nothing....

I guess I could start working on our little patch of soil on the back patio since it has started to get cooler now. Need to plant my tulip bulbs so that I can have my little tulip patch by spring. But guess what? It's not gonna happen today coz I am doing absolutely nothing!!! I have been playing this game called "Plant Tycoon" on my computer so I guess that will be my little garden for now...he he he

Well, nothing much to write so I'm going back to tending my virtual garden...See ya later....

What Will Matter

* My honey emailed me this and I thought it was very sweet... I love you very much Jim!!!

What Will Matter by Michael Josephson

Ready or not,

someday it will all come to an end.

There will be no more sunrises,

no minutes, hours or days.

All the things you collected,

whether treasured or forgotten,

will pass to someone else

Your wealth,

fame and temporal power

will shrivel to irrelevance.

It will not matter what you owned

or what you were owed.

Your grudges, resentments, frustrations,

and jealousies will finally disappear.

So, too, your hopes, ambitions, plans,

and to-do lists will expire.

The wins and losses

that once seemed so important

will fade away.

It won't matter where you came from,

or on what side of the tracks you lived,

at the end.

It won't matter whether you were beautiful or brilliant.

Even your gender and skin color will be irrelevant.

So what will it matter?

How will the value of your days be measured?

What will matter is not what you bought,

but what you built;

not what you got,

but what you gave?

What will matter is not your success,

but your significance.

What will matter is not what you learned,

but what you taught.

What will matter is every act of integrity,

compassion,

courage or sacrifice that enriched,

empowered or encouraged others

to emulate your example.

What will matter is not your competence,

but your character.

What will matter is not how many people you knew,

but how many will feel a lasting loss when you're gone.

What will matter is not your memories,

but the memories that live in those who loved you.

What will matter is how long you will be remembered,

by whom and for what.

Living a life that matters doesn't happen by accident.

It's not a matter of circumstance but of choice.

Choose to live a life that matters.

Happy Birthday Elaine

HAPPY 34th BIRTHDAY to my cuz ELAINE!!! Sorry, terlupa that it was on October 31....

Reign Over Me

Jim & I were over at Chris' (Jim's sister) today for a late lunch with the family. On our way back from picking up the pizza, Chris & I decided to stop at Blockbuster and rent the movie "Reign Over Me".

The movie starred, Adam Sandler, Don Cheadle, Liv Tyler and a few other popular actors. It's about a man (Don Cheadle) who ran into his college roommate, Adam Sandler, who lost his wife & 3 daughters on 9/11. He rekindled their friendship and helped his friend (Sandler) work past his lost of his family.

It was a pretty good movie. A little long and the middle part of the movie kinda got a little boring for me but alll in all it's good. You might shed a few tears at the end.

You Kill Me

We saw the movie, "You Kill Me" earlier today. We thought it was pretty good. It's a dark comedy starring Sir Ben Kingsley, Tea Leoni, Luke Wilson and Bill Pullman.

Ben Kingsley played a drunk assassin who slept thru his last job. His boss told him to get sober so he moved from Buffalo to San Francisco where he met Tea Leoni, Luke Wilson and Bill Pullman. A few "events" ensued and......

The movie is pretty good especially if you like dark humor....

World Series '07

VS

Tonight is the start of the World Series between the Colorado Rockies & the Boston Red Sox. Which team will win? Jim thinks that the Boston Red Sox will since they won their last World Series 4 years ago. As for me, I don't really care though it would be nice if the Rockies win since this is their first time in the World Series....


UPDATE:
Oct 24: Red Sox won 13 - 1
Oct 25: Red Sox won 2 - 1
Oct 27: Red Sox won 10 - 5 *Looks like the Boston Red Sox is going to win the World Series this year
Oct 28: Red Sox won 4 - 3 BOSTON RED SOX WON THE WORLD SERIES!!!

1408

Jim & I just finished watching the movie "1408" starring John Cusack & Samuel L Jackson. It's a horror movie based on a Stephen King book. Though I am not a big fan of horror movies, I do like Stephen King's and I think this movie was pretty well made.

Those of you who knows me know that I watched the movie behind my pillow(s)..penakut...he he he.

John Cusack (used to have a big crush on him when I was younger *wink*) was good in it and so was Samuel L Jackson, though he did not have a very big role in it.

John Cusack played an author who writes about haunted hotels. Samuel L Jackson was the manager at the Hotel Dolphin where John Cusack stayed in room 1408 which supposedly is haunted.

Pretty cool (scary...to me anyways) movie...Watch it....

** Other recommended Stephen King's movies..

- "The Shining" (both the movie with Jack Nicholson & the tv version with Steven Weber are good)

- "Pet Cemetary"

- "Cujo"

- "The Stand"

There are a few others which I can't think of the titles at the moment

How My "Sons" Wake Me Up in the Morning - A Depiction...

Jim sent me this email and it somewhat of a true depiction of how my two "sons", Sammy & Tiger, would try to wake me up in the morning, though it's a guy in the video and the last bit isn't true...at least I don't think so...he he he

J.K. Rowling outs Hogwarts character By HILLEL ITALIE, AP National Writer

* I read this on Yahoo news a few minutes ago. What a surprise....

NEW YORK - Harry Potter fans, the rumors are true: Albus Dumbledore, master wizard and Headmaster of Hogwarts, is gay. J.K. Rowling, author of the mega-selling fantasy series that ended last summer, outed the beloved character Friday night while appearing before a full house at Carnegie Hall.

After reading briefly from the final book, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," she took questions from audience members.

She was asked by one young fan whether Dumbledore finds "true love."

"Dumbledore is gay," the author responded to gasps and applause.

She then explained that Dumbledore was smitten with rival Gellert Grindelwald, whom he defeated long ago in a battle between good and bad wizards. "Falling in love can blind us to an extent," Rowling said of Dumbledore's feelings, adding that Dumbledore was "horribly, terribly let down."

Dumbledore's love, she observed, was his "great tragedy."

"Oh, my god," Rowling concluded with a laugh, "the fan fiction."

Potter readers on fan sites and elsewhere on the Internet have speculated on the sexuality of Dumbledore, noting that he has no close relationship with women and a mysterious, troubled past. And explicit scenes with Dumbledore already have appeared in fan fiction.

Rowling told the audience that while working on the planned sixth Potter film, "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," she spotted a reference in the script to a girl who once was of interest to Dumbledore. A note was duly passed to director David Yates, revealing the truth about her character.

Rowling, finishing a brief "Open Book Tour" of the United States, her first tour here since 2000, also said that she regarded her Potter books as a "prolonged argument for tolerance" and urged her fans to "question authority."

Not everyone likes her work, Rowling said, likely referring to Christian groups that have alleged the books promote witchcraft. Her news about Dumbledore, she said, will give them one more reason.

"Vacancy" & "4:Rise of the Silver Surfer"

We saw both these movies, "Vacancy" & "4: Rise of the Silver Surfer" this week. All I have to say is that both movies sucked...bad, especially "4:Rise of the Silver Surfer"

"Vacancy" is a thriller/slasher/horror movie starring Luke Wilson (I do think he's cute *wink*) and Kate Beckinsale. Though I consider both of them good actors, this movie just doesn't do it for me. They played a couple whose car broke down in the middle of nowhere (haven't this been done so many times before?) and had to spend the night in the only motel available. While watching movies in their room, they realized that the movies shown was actually taped in the room they were occupying. The normal thriller/slasher stuff ensued after that and then blah, blah, blah and more blah....

"4:Rise of the Silver Surfer" is the sequeal to the "Fantastic 4" movie starring Ioan Gruffudd (Mr Fantastic), Jessica Alba (Invisible Girl), Chris Evans (Human Torch) & Michael Chiklis (The Thing). Though I wasn't too impressed with the original movie, this sequal is even worst. It looked like the producers/writers threw in a few lines (stupid lines, that is) just so that they can have a sequel. Yes, there were a few cool special effects in it but that doesn't mean anything if there is no plotline and the acting was so bad. Neither of the actors, Julian McMahon (Dr Doom) & Doug Jones (Silver Surfer) included, were very interesting.

I definitely would not recommend either of these movies....

Wedding

Congrats to my cousin Hazel & her new hubby, Alex on their wedding. Moga bahagia ke anak cucu.

Happy Birthday Ali

HAPPY 30th BIRTHDAY to my youngest cousin, Ali (far left)

Colbert announces presidential pursuit - Jake Coyle

NEW YORK - Stephen Colbert has announced his candidacy for president on "The Colbert Report," tossing his satirical hat into the ring of an already crowded race.

"I shall seek the office of the president of the United States," Colbert said Tuesday on his Comedy Central show as red, white and blue balloons fell around him.

Colbert, 43, had recently satirized the coyness of would-be presidential candidates by refusing to disclose whether he would seek the country's highest office — a refusal that often came without any prompting.

Shortly before making the announcement, Colbert appeared on "The Daily Show" (the show that spawned Colbert's spin-off) and played cagey, claiming he was only ready to consider a White House bid. He entered the studio set pulled by a bicycle pedaled by Uncle Sam and quickly pulled out a bale of hay and a bottle of beer to show that he was "an Average Joe."

Colbert said his final decision would be announced on a "more prestigious show," which turned out to be his own.

"After nearly 15 minutes of soul-searching, I have heard the call," said Colbert.

His recent best-seller, "I Am America (And So Can You!)," allowed him to mock the now-standard approach to a White House run, complete with a high-profile book tour.

Colbert said he planned to run in South Carolina, "and South Carolina alone." The state, one of the key early primaries, is also Colbert's native state. Earlier this week, South Carolina public television station ETV invited Colbert to announce his candidacy on its air.

Exactly how far the mock conservative pundit planned to stretch his impression of a presidential candidate wasn't clear. Colbert rarely breaks character on camera, including at his memorable speech at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner last year.

The Comedy Central host has often mobilized his fans ("Colbert Nation"), encouraging them to vote to have a Hungarian bridge named after him, for example, or to vandalize Web site Wikipedia.com with his version of "truthiness" and "wikiality."

Colbert said he would run as both a Democrat and Republican. He earlier explained the strategy: "I can lose twice." He claimed three running mate possibilities: Colbert-Huckabee, Colbert-Putin or Colbert-Colbert.

Minutes after announcing his presidential pursuit, Colbert welcomed CBS political analyst Jeff Greenfield to ask how he had changed the race.

"This is going to be one for the books," said Greenfield.

A spokesman for Colbert said he would be unavailable for further comment Tuesday evening.

In a guest column for Maureen Dowd in Sunday's New York Times, Colbert wrote: "I am not ready to announce yet — even though it's clear that the voters are desperate for a white, male, middle-aged, Jesus-trumpeting alternative."

Happy Birthday Asrolf

HAPPY 36th BIRTHDAY to my cousin YOF (Asrolf), my partner in crime when we were younger.... he he he

Arizona Diamondbacks

Last night the Arizona Diamondbacks lost their 4th and final games in a best of 7 games series against the Colorado Rockies (1-5, 2-3, 4-1 & 4-6) which means that the Colorado Rockies will be in the World Series against the winner of the Cleveland Indians vs Boston Red Sox series.

I was happy & sad when the Diamondbacks lost last night. I was sad because I live in Arizona and would like to see them win another World Series. I was HAPPY they lost coz they made such a big deal when they won against the Chicago Cubs (my favorite TEAM!!!) in 3 straight games. They were making fun of the Cubs fans since we haven't won the World Series since 1908. Can I say KARMA!!! Coz the very next series they (Diamondbacks) lost!!!!

One thing I find interesting is that I live(d) in all three cities where the three teams call home. I lived in Wheeling (surburb of Chicago, Illinois) when I went to Roosevelt University and Jim & I got married in Chicago. 5 months after we were married, we moved to Arvada (surburb of Denver, Colorado) while Jim was doing his post graduate studies at the Colorado School of Mines. Then in late 1999 we moved to Mesa (surburb of Phoenix, Arizona) where we still live now.

Though we live(d) in all three cities, the Chicago Cubs remains my true team. I can see why Jim loves the team since he was born and raised in Chicago. As for myself, I first fell in love with the team when I was doing my A-Levels in Holland. The main reason was that I liked the little Cubbie that they have for their logo. I thought the Cubbie was really cute...Then when I came to the US to further my studies I get to follow the team even more since I was studying at Southern Illinois University. I got to really love the team when I started going out with Jim.

We would go to their games every year. When we lived in Wheeling, we would take the el-train down to Wrigley Field (home of the Cubs). We would sit on the bleacher section and watch them play. Sometimes we go home reeking of beer, not because we drink them, but coz some fans behind us would be so drunk that they spilled beer on us. There is nothing compared to the experience of watching a Cubs game at Wrigley Field.

Then, when we moved to Colorado, we would go to their games when the Cubs come over. And when we moved to Arizona, our dreams would not have come any better since the Cubs have their spring training at Hohokam Park just 8 miles down the street from where we live. We would go to their spring training games every year as well as during the regular season when they come to play the Diamondbacks.

Life is sweet for me where the Cubs are concern...Only one thing would make it perfect...winning the World Series...Lets hope that 100 years will be the longest since they won their last World Series...

GO CUBS!!!!

I Am America (And So Can You)

Jim & I were at the mall earlier today and bought this book, "I Am America (And So Can You)" by Stephen Colbert. For those of you who don't know who Stephen Colbert (shame on you!!! he he he) is, he has a show called "The Colbert Report" which airs nightly on Comedy Central (channel 51). Just by noticing that the show is on Comedy Central explains that his show is meant to be a joke. He makes fun of the right-wing conservative Republican talk shows like Rush Limbaugh and Bill O'Reilly.

I am on the 4th chapter of the book right now and have been laughing my head off since I first read the inside jacket...Get the book if you can...

Nostalgia...

*I received this email from a friend and thought I'd share it with you, my fellow bloggers...

TO ALL THE KIDS WHO WERE BORN IN THE 1930's 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's

First, we survived being born to mothers who had no full time maids/cooked food/cleaned the house while they carried us. They took aspirin, ate cheese , sweet dishes and didn't get tested for diabetes. Then after that trauma, our baby cribs were covered with bright coloured lead-based paints. We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets and when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets, not to mention, the risks we took hitchhiking .

As children, we would ride in cars with no seat belts or air bags. Riding in the back of a local bus/train was a special treat. We drank water from the tap and NOT from a bottle. We would spend hours on the terrace under bright sunlight flying our kites,without worrying about the UV effect which never ever effect us. We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and NO ONE actually died from this.

We ate pastries, white bread and real butter and drank soft drinks with sugar in it, but we weren't overweight because...... WE WERE ALWAYS OUTSIDE PLAYING!!We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on. No one was able to reach us all day. And we were O.K.

We would spend hours repairing our out dated bicycle and scooter out of scraps and then ride down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes. After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem.

We did not have Playstations, Nintendo's, X-boxes, no video games at all, no 99 channels on cable, no video tape movies, no surround sound, no cell phones, no personal computers, no Internet or Internet chat rooms........! WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them!

We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no lawsuits from these accidents. We ate worms and mud pies made from dirt, and the worms did not live in us forever. We were never given BB guns for our 10th birthdays, we made up games with sticks and tennis balls and although we were told it would happen, we did not put out very many eyes.

We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just yelled for them! Cricket League had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment. Imagine that!!

The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. They actually sided with the law! This generation has produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers and inventors ever! The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas. We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned HOW TO DEAL WITH IT ALL!

And YOU are one of them!
CONGRATULATIONS!
You might want to share this with others who have had the luck to grow up as kids, before the lawyers and the government regulated our lives for our own good and while you are at it, forward it to your kids so they will know how brave their parents were.

Kind of makes you want to run through the house with scissors, doesn't it?!

PS -The big type is because your eyes are shot at your age