Plans, Trains and Automobiles

Thanks to the freeway disaster Sunday, Arnold declared all public transit to be free on Monday. So being the opportunistic dad that I am, I decided to take Colby out on a BART excursion and tour the bay. On Saturday, Dustin went to Bonfante Gardens with his friends. Colby was understandably upset he didn't get to go. It's hard to explain to a 4 year old why his older brother always gets invited to parties and playdates without him. So through God's perfect timing (and perfect weather), Monday was the day to start making up for all the unfairness and deprivation.

Our original plan was to just go to SFO and back because Colby has never riden BART nor seen an airplane up close. I figure he would get a kick taking a long scenic train ride since he loves trains so much. He thought the BART train was way cool, much faster than the "slow" V T A train and better view of the cars on the freeway. Regardless of how fast it was, it still took about an hour to get to SFO. Once there, he loved watching the planes pull in and out. After exploring for 45 minutes, we decided to leave.

Now of course those of you who know me, know that anytime I'm in the City, I must stop by Blondie's Pizza. So we got off at Powell St. and off to Blondie's we went. On the way we noticed that cable cars were free also. So since I myself have never been on a cable car, on we went. It was a fun ride, up and down the hills, sliding back and forth on those wooden benches. Those operators perform a pretty vigorous job getting that car to stop and go (as well as yelling at all the tourists). Going downhill can get pretty fast (see video below).

To my pleasant surprise, the cable car ended at Fisherman's Wharf. I haven't been there in 10 years! We spent most of our time at the small beach in front of Ghirardelli Square where Colby finally got to experience playing with real sand. Someday we'll take him to Santa Cruz to see some real waves. But for now, this was a great starter beach for him. We stayed until he got his shoes (and pants) wet.

We then started venturing toward Pier 39 and back. There were tons of fun stores we went into, but the favorite was the Ghirardelli candy store. If you've ever heard the expression, "Like a kid in a candy store..." well let me tell you, the expression on Colby's face when confronted with all that candy... Indescribable! I knew the longer we stayed in there, the more it will cost me. I quickly got him out of there! Besides, we still have tons of Easter candy I need to eat. :)

So we got back on the cable car, back to Union Square. Got our pizza and then some ice cream, and back on BART to go home. And to our surprise, Chrissy got on the same car when we got to her station. Perfect timing! Perfect everything! A great day indeed! I think the best part that Colby enjoyed was seeing Dustin's reaction when he saw the pictures and videos of all that we did. He was obviously bothered that we had so much fun without him. Hopefully now he'll have a better understanding of how it feels to be left out.

Trains, trains, and trains. Part 1

Part of my Superdad duties include entertaining my kids. To maintain peace, we look for activities that we all can enjoy together. Building train sets is one of them. Over the years, we've accumulated quite a large assortment of train sets. Often we would receive a small set as a gift. If I feel it's worth upgrading, then I would look on Craigslist or ebay for add-on pieces until it reaches a "sufficient" collection for maximum buildability.

We currently have four large sets. When I say large, I mean that it would completely cover our eight foot dining table. We also have at least two more smaller sets that gets lost along the side (because I have yet to upgrade them). I know many of my readers have young children that are just starting to get into trains. As a parent, there are so many choices. You want a set that is durable, easy to build and can expand without costing a fortune. So which set is right for your child? Seeing that we've experienced them all, let me share with you my thoughts and recommendations. Since we have so many sets, this will be a 3-part series.

Today I'll start with the standard wooden set. This was first made popular by Brio and Thomas the Tank Engine and only afforded by trendy parents with deep pockets. A small starter set costs around $40 and add-on trains cost about $10-$15 each! Today, these Thomas sets are losing it's popularity because there are many compatible sets that connect with the Thomas and Brio tracks that cost a third of the price. You can buy the cheap tracks and then "splurge" on a few authentic Thomas engines. The cheap tracks lack the decorative grooves/woodgrain and are a bit cruder, but for the price, who cares, as long as you don't get splinters. Dustin received a "big" Thomas set when he turned two. We returned it to Toys R Us for store credit of $175!! With that money, we bought an even larger "Made in China" set for about $65 and used the rest of the money for gifts for others (but don't tell him!). Because of that, Dustin was never "into" Thomas, and we saved a bunch of money. Colby though, is a totally different story...

Our boys love to play the wooden playsets at Toys R Us and Barnes and Noble. They're big, colorful, elevated, and have a bunch of buildings. It's no wonder kids get hooked after playing there. We don't have the space to have a permanent train table, so we make do on our coffee and dining tables. But at home you don't get the same "store display experience." That's because you realize that at the store, the tracks are glued down! Of course we would never glue or nail down our tracks, so therefore they keep coming apart or get knocked over by little hands that try to push the train through the bridges and tunnels. It can get downright frustrating! Furthermore, if you have colored buildings or Thomas character trains, they'll get beat up pretty quick. Wood easily dents. Paint easily chips. And before you know it, your happy Thomas face looks like a character from the Road Warrior. So the wooden sets are nice at first, but DO NOT hold up well in the hands of a 2 year-old.

So would I recommend a wooden set? Yes and no. Yes, they're simple, easy to build and a perfect starter train for the toddler, but they will quickly outgrow it by age 3. Ikea has a small set for around $10 or look on Craigslist for a used set for under $20 ($50 if it includes a table). While you're looking, you might notice a lot of wooden Thomas sets asking for several hundred dollars. Don't buy it. They're beat up and overpriced. Those are the over-loving parents trying to recoup their losses from spoiling their kids. If you really want Thomas trains, check back, I'll talk about other Thomas sets that are a much better value on a future post.

One Less Show to Watch

Ever since the Finale of the first season of American Idol, I've never missed a single episode. From the auditions to the eliminations, I found enjoyment in every episode. I watched, hoped and cheered, but never voted because I knew my one measly vote wouldn't matter.

This season is a lot different from previous years. This season I actually lost interest because none of the top 12 appealed to me. That is, until Sanjaya started making the headlines. I can't explain it but there's truly something magical about Sanjaya that makes you root for him regardless of how bad he sings, kinda like that movie Rudy. Or maybe that since no one else is likable, Sanjaya is the only excitement factor as he defies the odds week after week. I know a lot of people really hate him and wish he gets booted, but I think he's great for the show. I honestly thought he could go all the way.

Last week I voted for the first time ever. I voted for Sanjaya over and over again. Kept hitting that redial button like a hyped up teeny bopper for about an hour. Yeah, I have no shame. I got Sanjaya fever or as some may say, "Sanjaya is my papaya." It was pretty tiring hitting those buttons repeatedly. (I recommend using a speakerphone, to save that extra energy of having to put that phone to your ear.) A lot of work, and I only got about 20 votes in.

Tonight I watched with great sadness as Sanjaya was voted off. I can't believe he's gone! Aww man, what's to watch now? Actually, I've been secretly enjoying Dancing with the Stars, shhh. I might still watch Idol with Chrissy but whoever wins at this point doesn't matter to me anymore. So I guess I'll have a little more free time come Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

http://frommymindtoyoureyes.blogspot.com/
Do you remember Chris Sligh (he's the chubby one with curly hair) who was voted off two weeks ago? Anyway, he is a Christian and has a blog (that looks just like mine ;). If you're a big AI fan and want some insight from a Christian perspective, read his blog.

Spring Break is No Break

Spring Break for Dustin started at 1:35 Friday afternoon. From that moment on, he's had the enjoyment of having a friend with him practically every waking moment. Karen's family is in town and unlike other years where we only spend a few days with them, this year we've spent many many days with both them and the Chan family because of my time off. Friday he had two playdates, one in the afternoon (immediately after school) and one more in the evening. Then on Saturday we went to the Easter egg hunt at Valley Christian School where they had inflatable jumpers, pony rides, and 50,000 eggs. Lunch with the gang. Then dinner at the Chan's. Sunday after church we had lunch with grandma and then dinner at the other Chan's (Martin) with the same bunch of kids (6 of them). Then went nuts every night.

Monday we did the Oakland Zoo with even more kids: the Youngs and the Tangs (so now we have 10). We had dinner at Ono Hawaiian BBQ. And Tuesday (Dustin's 7th Birthday) we did Happy Hollow with the same kids again with the addition of Grace and her daughter Faith (11 kids). Four of our families crashed at Grace and Owen's house afterwards where we had a greasy Chinese dinner reminiscent of Oakland Chinatown. We got home by 9 and I was exhausted.

Wednesday was my only day of rest where I didn't have to watch any kids other than my own. Dustin and Colby were originally supposed to go to Six Flags Marine World with Chrissy's brother but the impending rain cancelled it. In hindsight I'm glad they didn't go. I think the boys need a break from 5 straight days of running around (not that they'll ever complain). So instead I sent Dustin off with a friend to see "Meet the Robinsons" in 3D.

Today we invited his friend Robert over. We made him run errands and go shopping with us. Then we had dinner at grandma's. I'm finally home now, exhausted. Tomorrow we'll be getting together with the Chans and Leongs again. No idea what's happening at this point. Man, I can't believe I'm actually looking forward to Monday when school starts again.

Recently, two of the moms mentioned to me that their husbands could never do what I'm doing. That is, staying at home, hosting playdates, coordinating carpools, and shuttling extra kids to parks/zoos. So they either admire my efforts, or think I'm becoming a girly man. I think I'm just trying to find creative ways to keep my kids occupied (and out of my hair). It's actually easier with extra kids. They can do things together and entertain themselves. All you do is to provide the place and some junk food. So far so good, I think all the kids have been getting along great this past week. But before you think about sending your kids over, here's a clip of one of our "organized activities."

4 Funerals and a Wedding

It sounds like a sequel to a movie, but sadly, it is not. It describes my month of March. I wish it was the other way around like the movie, but yes, we really attended 4 funerals and a wedding (March 3: Pastor Tong. March 11: Chrissy's aunt. March 17: Breanna Tang. March 19: Mrs. Chan). Actually there was a 5th funeral for a coworker of mine that died in a horrific car accident, but I did not attend. The only good thing is that we will be reunited with all of them in heaven (even my coworker was a Christian). A couple of friends mentioned to me that in this time of our lives, we'll definitely be attending more funerals than weddings. And if that wasn't bad enough, I caught the flu which I lovingly passed on to Dustin to make him miss school for 2 days (What a great dad I am!). A lousy month indeed. But the month wasn't totally gloomy, it ended on a positive note.

On March 31 my nephew Ken (XCI during his Cal years) married Irene, a fellow engineer coworker. There are big age gaps in my family. My oldest sister is 20 years older than me, so Ken is only 9 years younger than me. It's weird when the next generation gets married, it makes you feel real old. Yeah, someday I'll be that crazy uncle you'll all fear at weddings! Right now I'm still the paranoid dad.

Dustin got his first job as a ring bearer. It was a 45 minute ceremony and he stood amazingly still. He even made it up and down the aisle with one shoe untied! Of course in his mind were the rewards (toys/spoils) awaiting him if he did a good job. He was not disappointed.

The wedding was in Los Altos, and the banquet was at Dynasty Seafood Restaurant at the Vallco Fashion Park in San Jose. The restaurant was insanely big with multiple VIP rooms (sorry, no massage tables). The main banquet hall was way in the back, getting there from the front entrance was like walking a city block (no kidding). The food was pretty good, nothing spectacular. But then again I'm not the best person to rate these type of meals. Although Colby cleaned up all the squid.

They played a couple of games during the dinner that were real funny. The first they blindfolded Irene and had her feel the hands of 7 different guys. She had to guess which one was Ken's. She narrowed it down to 2: Ken, and his brother Nate. She eventually picked Ken. She's good.

Ken then had to feel the ankle (and feet?) of 7 girls. Some crazy guy snuck into the line to throw him off. He correctly picked Irene's foot, but before he took off his mask, the guy switched places with her--to his surprise. It was so funny I almost hurled my dinner. There was a third game but I'm not sharing that yet, in case I want to do it at Jimmy's wedding ;). Let's just say Ken had to eat a cookie out of some guy's mouth.

So now onto April, hopefully a happier month. Spring Break is next week, and we're planning to go to the Happy Hollow Zoo in San Jose. The second Tuesday of every month is free admission. Want to join us? So far we have 3 families.

Dedication Uncensored

On Sunday, March 25 we did our baby dedication for Justine. This photo shows the 200+ people I was facing, so you can understand my nervousness as I mumbled and stumbled my way through it. We received a ton of comments afterwards. The one thing people kept asking was, "Did you videotape it?" Well yes we did! Thanks to my buddy Chris (he's the guy in the front row making the bodily sounds--or was that Ken?), we can share it with you.

As I watched myself on video for the first time, it was weird, even worse that listening to your own voice! My gestures and mannerisms... is that how I really act? I feel like such a dork! And I apologize for mumbling through some of it. Yes, I know I have a mumbling problem. A friend of mine once told me that I mumbled a lot. I haven't seen that person in years because, well, I no longer talk (mumble) to them. So bear with me and thank you for accepting me the way I am.

This video will be most valuable in 15 years when my precious daughter is a rebellious teen and hates me. This will show her how hard I fought to bring her into this world--that little ingrate! And that her MOM is to blame for her not having a younger sister to kick around. That's right, I got an ace up my sleeve!

So if you weren't there on Sunday, or you were late (because the road from Danville to Oakland is sooooo long), or you couldn't understand just what the heck I was mumbling about, I posted this video just for you. But be warned, if you're expecting something touchy feely and inspirational, you'll be deeply disappointed.

My Special Projects

Last week I took a break from blogging (and everything else) to work on a memorial video and printed program (PDF) for Breanna Tang, the 5 year-old daughter of Ben and Nancy. As you can imagine, it was truly a heart-wrenching project, to say the least. But through lots of prayer and perseverance, I was able to create a memorial that reflected the life and love of her wonderful family. The funeral was on Saturday. Everything from start to finish was beautiful and touching, especially the testimonies. Breanna will be sorely missed.

I've been off work for only 3 weeks and God has filled 2 of those weeks with meaningful projects to help two families: the Tongs and the Tangs. I'm sure it's no coincidence, but rather evidence of God's perfect timing. If I had been working, there would've been no way I could've delivered upon these projects. Well actually, I probably could've, but it would've been half-baked and wouldn't represent my best efforts. So I am grateful for the opportunities and humbled to be entrusted with such responsibilities.

Believe it or not, this morning I'm about to head off to yet another funeral, Susana's mom. I'm waiting to meet up with Wenna and Grace. As I look out my gloomy window, I see my overgrown weed garden and dirty cars still awaiting my attention. I'll get to them eventually, but not now. Because I realize that time is best invested in people, and not chores. Weeds will still be there next week. People may not.

Below is Breanna's video. Please remember to keep the Tongs, Tangs and Chans in your prayers.

11

Today is our 11 year wedding anniversary (as well as our 5 year anniversary to moving to Castro Valley). My original plan was to post an old wedding picture, but as I went through the old albums, I ran across some BETTER pics. The above photos were taken at our wedding banquet. Each table had a disposable camera where people can shoot some memorable shots--and are they memorable indeed! I'm not sure what's going on, but they're all either gagging on the peking duck buns, or they're foaming at the mouth. Hey, is that Patty in there? Man, she's everywhere!

The hot chick in this imaginary love triangle is Genie, my former roommate in college (who is a loyal reader of my blog). Jim is getting married in September to Genie. Oops. His fiancee is spelled Jeanie. My bad. Burt is still in Vegas. I only hear from him once every two years. Last I heard he was still at Safeway. Maybe he'll leave a comment after seeing this. Yo Burt, give a shout so we know you're still alive, aight?!

So what's the plan tonight? I don't know. Eleven is such a ho-hum number. We would like to go out for a nice quiet dinner, but with two boys and an infant, "nice and quiet" don't really exist. I think we'll just stay home and maybe order some take-out, or fire up the bbq. Fortunately for me, I scored enough points on Valentine's Day so I can slack off today :) Also, I'm especially tired this week because I've been working feverishly on a special project the last five days. I'll share that project with you next week.

Red Egg Party Buffet
Last Saturday we attended a party for Zachary (son of Andrew) at the New Empire Buffet in exotic Livermore, land of dried bushes and broken concrete. The restaurant, tucked in a mini mall, was surprising clean and somewhat empty on a Saturday (if it wasn't for Costco, Chinese people wouldn't know Livermore even existed). The food was quite good, but the only problem was that since it wasn't crowded, the food didn't turn around quick enough. They had this mongolian bbq bar where you load up your plate with raw meat, uncooked veggies, and your choice of sauces. You give it to the chef and he stir-fries it in front of you. Very tasty! I would come back for this alone! The only weird thing was that the chef had a tip jar. Hello, it's a buffet! I can understand a tip jar for the sushi guy where you ask him to make a special hand roll, but this stir-fry guy essentially just flips your food back and forth a few times... Heck, my boys could've done it. Then when he hands you your food, he places the plate on top of the large tip jar--such blatant pandering! Most of the time he's just standing there, or sweeping the floors. Is he an independent contractor?

I got a chance to catch up with Hanford and Marj and met their 3 boys. Haven't seen them in 10 years. They still look great, and Hanford still has a great head of hair! Also they're smart (like me). They bring video games for the boys to play so then us adults can enjoy our time (and food) longer. If you look in the background, you'll see Hing holding Justine. Justine was passed on from one person to another for about 80% of the time we were there, which was great. As time goes by, she'll get heavier and crankier, and it will be harder to find people to hold her, so we're taking full advantage of that benefit now.

Many of you have not seen Patrick in like 10 years. Well I'm happy to report he is alive and well (and potent). He lives/works in the south bay with his wife, Veronica and 10-month old Mason.

We arrived at noon and left at 3. When you eat and talk, you don't realize how much you've eaten. Let's just say I wasn't hungry again until lunchtime the next day.

Mazda Mater

This morning I ran across this page on making your car into the Pixar "Cars" characters. Since Justine is asleep, I thought it would be fun to try it (and Colby loved watching me do it). Took about 30 minutes.

Subscribe to my blog
Today is the 2-month mark of my blog. Since then I've gotten 800 hits. (I know the counter says 1000, but probably 200 of them are of my own doing.) So a big THANK YOU to all my supporters! Many of you may check in often to see if it's been updated (only to be disappointed). To save you time, I would recommend that you subscribe to my blogs so whenever I update, you'll get the blog text (no pics) emailed to you. It's fairly painless, just enter your email in the box to the right and follow instructions. Then you get a confirmation email that you click on and that's it. Should take less than one minute. And you can unsubscribe whenever you like (although I can't imagine why you would do that :o)

Also, stay tuned. Tomorrow I'll be trying out a new restuarant, New Empire Buffet in Livermore, for Zachary Lew's red egg party. I can't wait!

Free Coffee at Starbucks Today

Free coffee today between 10 a.m. and noon. For the location of the nearest Starbucks, you can look at their website or text your zip code to "MYSBUX" (697289) for a return of the three nearest stores.