Last week D and I took a “refresher” course at the hospital. There were only two other couples in the class, plus two nursing students who were there to participate/observe. The other two couples both already had a daughter that is around two years old, just like us, AND they are both expecting boys this time around, like us. We had the same teacher as we did the first time. This course was only 4 hours, compared to the 8 hour course we took before. We were supposed to watch some graphic videos again, and again, I averted my eyes. Watching a caesarean birth just does not seem necessary to me. It was good, however, to review the breathing/coping with the pain techniques since we didn’t really get a chance to put them to use last time. Going through the class brought back lots of memories, both pleasant and not so pleasant. It is difficult to believe that we will be going through the whole experience again in such a short period of time. Meanwhile, I’m trying to finish up work and starting to go into nesting mode.

The Obama inauguration made me think if anyone connected to Berkeley and Indiana was in the Cabinet or Executive Office of the President in the last 10 years. Here is what my research found…

Norman Mineta (UCB B.S. ’53)
Secretary of Commerce (2000-2001)
Secretary of Transporation (2001-2009)

Steven Chu (UCB Ph.D. ’76)
Secretary of Energy (2009 – Present)

Christina Romer (1988 – 2009 UCB Professor)
Chariman, Council of Economic Advisors (2009-Present)

Paul O’Neill (IU M.P.A. ’66)
Secretary of the Treasury (2001-2002)

Rod Paige (IU M.A. ’64, Ed.D. ’69)
Secretary of Education (2001-2005)

Robert Gates (IU M.A. ’66)
Secretary of Defense (2006-Present)

An interesting fact is that there have been only three Asian Americans that have served in a Cabinet and two are Cal alumni. The third is Elaine Chao.

I am thankful for the week and a half that I have off from work to relax with my family. Recently I have been feeling burnt out from working long hours at my new job, training for a marathon, attending BSF, being a dad, and being a part of the ETV and Endowment committees at WPC.

Earlier this month, I have been thinking that I need to cut back on some activities, especially when kid #2 comes along. I am not terribly good at multi-tasking and I know I am not giving my all; at least on the last 4 items. However, during this time I have had time to reflect on what God is doing in my life during this past year. And scripture such as Isaiah 40: 29-31 lets me know God’s promise.
29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

I am reminded that if I stay close to God in scripture and prayer, then He will provide strength. I was reminded of that when I was feeling really tired one Friday night and had a meeting at WPC. I had a bad attitude going into the meeting, however after the meeting I felt energized after feeling like I contributed to the meeting and worked together for a common vision.
I believe in 2009, God will provide me the strength to continute to do all the things that I believe God is calling me to do.

We’re having a difficult time keeping up with our blog since so much is going on. We’ll have to come back to k’s birthday party later next week.

Christmas Eve we had my parents over for dinner. Nothing too fancy…the main dish was Corn Maiden tamales from Trader Joe’s. Afterward we went to Christmas Eve service. k stayed quiet the entire time! (Probably because she was too tired to talk).

Look at the felt cupcake I made for my sister (who is a big cupcake fan) for Christmas:

I used the pattern from Fantastic Toys. D thought it was an ice cream cone.

Christmas morning we opened stocking stuffers first. Then we had breakfast: wake-up casserole, fruit salad and cranberry orange sticky buns. Afterward we opened some presents. k gets more excited about presents now, so it is fun to watch her reaction.

Cute puffer vest from her cousin.

Then we headed over to my parents house, where, yes, there were more presents for k. Considering her birthday was just four days prior, k had present overload. Here’s k’s Christmas present from my parents:

How cute is that? There’s even a Mazda parked in the garage. There is a Caucasian family and an Asian American family co-habitating. 🙂

k gave us a good laugh by squatting on the miniature toilet. Here, she is turning on the the t.v.

Friday: k and I went to a Junko concert for my moms’ group and their children. I think k was tired because she was acting antsy. When Junko called the kids up on stage at the end, k just wanted to crawl. Hmm…

Saturday: We went to Cerritos mall and accomplished the vast majority of our Christmas shopping. I discovered a place in the food court called Dumpling Express that serves dim sum (and it tastes good!) There is also a Yogurtland. At night we went to our church’s Christmas dinner/program.

Sunday: After church we went to a park near my parents’ house where they brought in snow. We took a picture with Santa and k had her first taste of a candy cane.

(D put her shoes on the wrong feet).

k likes to tell stories in her own language.

I have been training for my full marathon on Super Bowl Sunday, and I have 11 weeks of training left. My training called for 16 miles today (PCH/Warner to PCH/Brookhurst (Santa Ana River)). Unfortunately it was really hot today. I started a little after 6:00 a.m., and it was already warm. The good news was that I ran the 16 miles; however it took me 3 hours. It got really warm so I drank lots of water and tried to run slower. But I got cramps in my quads and the sun was wearing me down. I really dislike running in warm weather. I like 50 degree weather when I run. I was thinking in my mind how can it be 80 degrees on a mid-November morning?! I really hope the weather on Feb 1st is around 50 degrees.

The air was really smoky after I got home, but I don’t think it was that bad when I was running. Let’s pray the weather gets cooler and the wind dies down for the homes in SoCal.

Tonight we went to a birthday party for a 2 year old boy. He blew out his own candle–very impressive.

There were a lot of activities for the little ones. I was surprised that k actually wanted to participate!

They fished mini rubber ducks out of a bathtub. (Didn’t get pictures of that one).

k climbed through a tunnel in the playroom.

k also “dunked” the basketball numerous times. I didn’t know that she even knew what to do with a basketball.

Pin the tail on the Backyardigan

Sidewalk chalk

It’s fun to be up high!

I just realized that I neglected to post a picture of the pumpkins at the pumpkin patch, so here it is.

Today I baked a sour cream apple pie a la Posie Gets Cozy. Tomorrow I will be baking pumpkin cupcakes with orange glaze for a potluck. It’s fall!

Today k and I visited the pumpkin patch for the first time with my moms’ group. First, there was a short wagon ride to a petting zoo. k wasn’t as scared this time, and the animals were freely roaming around! She still didn’t want to pet them, however, which was fine with me. Instead, she just liked to crouch down by them and observe.

Then, we took another wagon ride to a corn maze, which was more complicated than I thought. I honestly don’t know if I would’ve found our way out if I wasn’t with other people. k did her share of walking, but when she became tired, I realized just how heavy she has become (26 lbs.)

Since she’s under 2 years old, she didn’t get a pumpkin or veggies, but it was time to meet D for lunch, anyway. We’ll probably end up just buying a pumpkin at Sprouts. We stuffed ourselves at the Indian buffet at Clay Oven near D’s work. All you can eat warm naan? Yes, please. (k enjoyed the rice…”mo-rice?”) We barely ate anything for dinner tonight 🙂