Gone Girl

I started and finished Gone Girl today.  It started off the way I expected it to, then revved up in the 2nd part.  I heard many people say they hated the ending, but despite that, I actually was ok with its conclusion.  For those who hated it, how else would you have ended such a story?  It is definitely worth the read.  I heard Reese Witherspoon is tied to the movie deal.  She doesn't do it for me to play this role though.  Needs someone with more edge.  More WTF, PSYCHO-ness.

I need another book.

I am 15 weeks this week.  I am starting to feel a little better, a little like my old self.  I still get pukey and gag a bit, but it's not as bad as before.  And I think the spit production is weaning.  Thank the good Lord.  Food is tasting marginally better but it's definitely not the same.  Like Mr. Ho said, I can't wait till I get to the "let's eat everything" phase.  This phase sucks.

Olivia is just the cutest ball of cute these days.  Yes, defiant and will throw a pretty good tantrum.  But the things that come out of her mouth just crack me up or make me smile endlessly.  She'll randomly tell me she misses me, which I think she thinks means love, and give me big hugs.  Or come up to me and say, "best friends!" and hug.  When I take her for a potty break, she'll say, "thanks for telling me."  If she likes the food we serve her, she'll say, "umma/appa, good cook!  yummy tummy!"  She'll hug her dolls or stuffed animals and say, "[name of doll] love me!"  When she knocks over her legos or ruins whatever she's building, she'll say, "try again!" with no hint of frustration.  She's just a happy, loving, positive, bundle of everything I could ever ask for.  This age is just so fun.

To bed I go.

Reading Rainbow

I've actually done some reading the past few weeks.  I thought I could withstand all the Hunger Games hype, but I decided to give in.  I'm a sucker for peer pressure.  The first book was really great.  The other two were just alright.  Having a strong female lead instead of a very weak one like Bella Swan was nice.  That being said, I couldn't really stand Katniss.  She seemed very wishy-washy and things just happened for her.  She didn't really DO all that much?  Was I the only one who felt that way?  Everyone else around her did everything.

The other book I read was The Night Circus for book club.  It's being touted as the next Harry Potter, but no, it is not.  Not even close.  It is very imaginative and creative, though.  Takes your mind to places you haven't been before.

I'm curious about the whole Fifty Shades of Grey series.  I think it's hilarious that it's being classified as "mom porn."

Saturday Night

I finally finished The Help. I bought it so long ago and I finally got around to it on Friday. Thoroughly enjoyed every word. So many good parts. One minor detail that really stuck with me was when Aibeleen compared prayer to electricity - it just keeps things going, she says.

I so believe that. Even if nothing happens, it's nice to just pray to someone who you know is listening. And that your prayer could be the spark for change.

I need to find a church. Stat.

Room

Having a hard time reading Room. Not because it's not a good read but because it's making me very emotional.


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Haul

What I got from the borders going out of business sale.


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Dear Amy P

Hi friend!
I just finished Bossypants and quite enjoyed it. I am a Tina Fey stan (stalker + fan. I'm down with the lingo) so I was looking forward to reading it. It's a combination of hilarious stories, sage advice, and female encouragement.

I actually want to read The Help and the Jaycee Dugaard (sp?) memoir next. I'll keep your recommendation on the list! Thanks!

A nook... What's the difference between that and a kindle? Either or, I'm not sure. I love a book. I love the weight, the way it smells. I love underlining things or jotting notes in the margins. I love seeing how many pages i have left. The way they get alphabetized in our den. I know those readers have to be convenient. But eh. Book Nerd at heart, I am.

Love you!


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Yay Reading!

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Easter

Hello, friends. I am sitting here listening to Olivia perfect her scream over the monitor. She has been really resisting her naps. I think she might be ready to go to just one nap a day. I'm nervous to change it up though because we are so close to vacation time and I'd hate to change her routine now.

The weekend was really great! Mr. Ho had off on Good Friday. I sent him and Olivia over to the In-Laws because we got our carpets cleaned! I used OxiFresh. Joe was great. He was really thorough and the carpets dried very quickly. I was cleaning while he was cleaning. He actually LAUGHED at my Swiffer slippers. In the evening, we had dinner at Fortune with the In-Laws and the Mars. They are moving back to Alberta because Gary is running for premier! Isn't that super exciting?

Saturday, we went to the grocery store in the AM and sort of on on a whim (we had talked about it for awhile now), we decided to go the zoo! The Wiltshires couldn't join us but we did ask Mackenzie to come with since she will be leaving soon. They live literally next door to the zoo. Olivia actually LOVED seeing all the animals! She would point and babble. Her favorite were the elephants. After dropping off Mackenzie, we went to eat at Rays the Steaks. Yes, it was 4:30 PM and yes there were a lot of old people there. But it was great for us. We had a leisurely dinner and then made it home with enough time before Olivia goes down at night.

We did not go to church on Easter Sunday. This bugs me, but we don't have a church to go to right now. I want to find a church so Olivia can go to Sunday School. It's something I'm going to work on when we get back from our vacation. In the afternoon, we went to Remi's 1st birthday party at Clemyjontri Park. When I first read the park's name, I thought it was a misprint. But apparently the park got it's name from the children of the parents who invested in the park. This is a GREATTTT park!! The ground is rubber or something so if there is an accident, it's not as bad. There are tons of things for every age. Even a carousel! The only downfall is that everyone else thinks it's a great park too. So parking is limited and I can imagine it being quite the cluster**ck during peak times.

Here's a cute Olivia story. I am great at picking stuff up with my little toes. I did this in front of Olivia the other day and afterwards, she kept trying to stick things in her feet. Soo cutteeee.

Right now, I'm reading Summer and the City by Candace Bushnell on my IPhone. Did I mention I read stuff on my iPhone that i would be embarrassed to buy in person? Like Lauren Conrad's books. I am actually debating whether or not I want an eReader. I love having books on my bookshelf though... I'm really torn about this. Anyway, the book is good so far! It's about Carrier, fresh into her first days in NYC and meeting all her girlfriends. So far, she's met Samantha and Miranda.

No Swimming

Mr. Ho told me that it will be too cold to go in the ocean in May. Kind of a bummer but that doesn't mean we can't get our feet wet. We aren't big swimmers anyway. But I already had a hunch we wouldn't be able to go in. You know what was my source? Sweet Valley High. They mention how cool the ocean is all year around in California. I know, I'm a loser!

I'm just waiting for Olivia to wake up so we can go have a ladies lunch with Miss Emily and Robin!

Svh

You will never guess what I'm reading via iBooks. Sweet Valley High Confidential. It's the new book and the twins are in their 20s! It's no that good but I feel like I have to read it since I read all the old ones!



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All Smiles Still

Everything is going really well still. My belly seems to get bigger everyday. And Olivia is getting stronger everyday. I love every punch, flutter, kick, roll that she does. I think it's my absolute favorite part of being pregnant! While it tells me that she is doing just fine in my belly, it also tells me that she's a feisty one.

I went to the bookstore to buy her "Olivia." I really intended to buy just one book. I left with 11!

There are some classics that you can't deprive your child of. And I got the "My Daddy and I" one because I literally started crying while reading it in the store, because I was imagining Mr. Ho reading it to her. So then I got the "My Mommy and I" because I didn't want to feel left out. HAHA. And the "Story of Jesus" was on sale! Score! It's every Jesus story in one. I guess I could've just gotten the Bible. Whatever.

Tomorrow I get my H1N1 shot. I know there is a lot of controversy over this thing but I really do believe it is a lot of hype and media overkill. Vaccine technology has been around for years. H1N1 kills healthy people. I'd rather be vaccinated than risk being hospitalized. And I'd rather be assured I'm protected rather than being paranoid everywhere I go. I'm content with my decision but nervous still. Say a little prayer for me and lil' Olivia <3>

Excited

I took my mom to the korean bookstore today. She bought all four books from the Twilight series, The Shack, The Kite Runner, and the first book of the Shopaholic series. I'm so excited for her!

Good Moods/Bad Moods

Today, I am in such GREAT spirits! Must be the weather. I am MADE to THRIVEEE in this kind of weather. Cali weather, I guess. BFFF and I are still conspiring on the move to the west coast. We both tried to win the MegaMillions but that didn't happen. We'll have to try something else. Too bad there are some raging fires going on right now. Not to mention a piss-poor job market. I am happy to be happy today. And yes, I meant to say happy twice. I've had a really bad couple of days.

So I just finished re-reading the Harry Potter series. Don't laugh at me. It was awesome. I totally forgot what happened in the last book and it was like reading it for the first time! Right now, I'm finally reading Water for Elephants, which I bought for Hong Kong and never got around to. I'm only on chapter 3 but it's really good so far. I was skeptical about reading about a circus, but I like it so far.

Yesterday, I'm laying on my couch watching some television when I hear some rustling outside. I thought it was some of our lawnmower people. But I peep outside and see my mother-in-law pulling weeds in our backyard! I just wanted to die. Our yard is a serious jungle right now. Disgusting, actually. And here she is, pulling all the weeds. Then she swept our garage. OMG. So awful. I'm thankful to have such a kind mother-in-law but, still.... Embarrassing!

I just tore up 2 croissants in a matter of minutes. If I had a 3rd, I'd eat it too...

Reading Rainbow

I am on the hunt for new reads!  I would love to venture farther into non-fiction.  But I am up for anything.

If you have any suggestions, please pass them along.  

Where a Kid Can Be a Kid

SIL bought us some tanning sessions at the local tanning salon and I went with her for the first time last week.  The last time I went tanning was for our trip to Vegas and in preparation for the Grand Cayman sun.  I think after that, I may have gone spray-tanning.  I do love a good tan but am worried about all the damage it can do to your skin.  I tried the HT High Pressure Booth and I definitely saw a change within an hour.  Supposedly, UVB rays are blocked completely so your tan will last longer.  Anyway, tanning booths have changed so much since I was a teen.  They are very high tech.  But all I could think of with every little noise were the bulbs combusting and me frying to death.  

However, I shall go again.  

Well, only because I have three weddings to be in this summer and two of the dresses wash me out a bit because I'm so pale.  Within the next nine months, I'm in four weddings.  Fun!  No seriously, I love weddings.

This past weekend was pretty fun.  Friday, we stayed in and watched Vicky Christina Barcelona, which I loved.  Penelope Cruz really deserved her Oscar with this performance.  She was passionate and embodied an emotional rollercoaster.  Not to mention, absolutely beautiful.  I always thought she wasn't that pretty, but still photographs don't do her justice.  We also watched Yes Man with Jim Carrey, which I loved, too.  Zooey Deschanel is so adorable and I loved when Jim Carrey learned Korean.  Hilarious.  

Saturday, we went to Mr. Ho's co-worker's wedding.  I totally teared up when the bride walked down the aisle with her father.  That crap gets me every time.  I broke out the YSL shoes for the first time and they were a sight to behold.  Too bad my dress was way long and you could hardly see them.  But, man, I felt them.  I have to break those suckers in.  After not wearing heels everyday, its painful when I do wear them.

Sunday, went to church and then took BFFF's son to Chuck E Cheese.  Hmm....  I haven't been to this establishment in decades and I'd have to say, if it weren't for my infinite love of the A-man, I don't think I'd ever step foot in there again.  Hot, crowded, loud, dancing mouse...  But I will go there for the pizza.  And watching Mr. Ho and SIL playing more games than the kids.  Sunday night, we watched Doubt, which was ok.

I finished Angels & Demons last night.  I bought this book at the airport on my way home from Mississippi.  For what it is, a work of fiction, I enjoyed it.  Dan Brown is great at intertwining history with modern day culture, weaving a fun thriller.  There is a lot of controversy with the church, specifically the Vatican, but that just sucks all the fun out of it.  The movie looks pretty good though.

I hope this beautiful weather holds up.  Bad weather takes a toll on my mood.  

Mr. Ho is home.  Till later, peeps.

Routine Follow-Up

Hello Party People!  

I have not been the best blogger these days.  Suppose I just don't have that much to talk about.  Hence, blogs about farts.  I have stooped that low.  Here are just some random thoughts and happenings:

* My mother is in town.  She's going in for a colonoscopy tomorrow.  Everyone send ood vibes and prayers her way.  It's a pretty routine procedure but she doesn't handle anesthesia that well.  Today, I've been helping her take her meds to clear her out and it made me think - when did I become an adult?  I'm taking care of my mom and not the other way around.  She looked at some of my recent pictures and told me I am starting to age.  And that we should go buy some wrinkle cream.  Fabulous.

* Mr. Ho and I have caught up on all of Entourage.  Now I know why Jeremy Piven won all those awards - he's hilarious.  They smoke a lot of weed on this show.  It kinda makes me want to smoke and do chinese fire drills in the middle of the road.  Or get paranoid at every noise I hear and think the cops are at my door.  And eat an entire pizza by myself.  Not that I have experienced these things... 

* We had our third book club meeting for The Shack.  It's been on the bestseller weeks forever and it is a good read, but I didn't LOVE LOVE it.  Right now, I'm reading Empire Falls.  And What to Expect When You're Expecting.  And no, I'm not expecting.  

* When does Twilight come out on DVD?  Still haven't seen that one.  But did catch a matinee of Confessions of  Shopaholic (loved!).  It was nothing like the book but all the bright colors and sparkly things were right down my alley.  Netflix delivered Body of Lies (ok) and Ghostown (such a fan of Ricky Gervais).  

* Speaking of sparkly things, I went to the International Jewelry Show at the Dulles Expo Center this past weekend and it was amazing.  Sparkly things everywhere you look.  I went there with the mindset that I would only look and not buy ANYTHING.  Of course, I bought the most out of everyone I was with.  Seriously, shopping is a problem for me.

* Rocky is doing quite well on the new food - Orijen 6Fish.  Although, now our pantry smells a bit fishy.  And sometimes his butt smells fishy too.  But the good news is that he loves the food - will eat it plain, without yogurt.  AND his poops are nice and firm!  Dumplings, actually.  

* Best news ever - mom and I found the most PERFECT bedside lamps for the bedroom at Homegoods.  They are so beautiful and match so well.  And the price!  Don't even get me started.

Guess I had more to write about than I thought...

AnnaK & I Are Not Friends

I want to make a public announcement that I wave the white flag.  I can no longer continue with Anna Karenina.  I only made it to page 218 out of 948.  I just can't get into it.  It may be one of the greatest novels of all time, but screw it.  I hate it.  Wikipedia told me how it ended and I'm still not impressed.

Here are some FIVE FUN FACTS:

1.  I enjoy basil plants.  They smell so fresh and whenever I cook with it, I can just envision Martha Stewart nodding her head with approval.  

2.  In kindergarden, we were supposed to come dressed as a pilgrim or a native-american for Thanksgiving.  I tried to explain to my mother, who had absolutely no idea.  So she sent me to school dressed in a hanbok, a traditional korean gown.  I was a pilgrim - a real fancy korean one.

3.  My parents went to the grocery store and left my brother and I home alone for the first time.  We were watching Looney Toons when it started thunderstorming.  I got scared sh*tless and convinced my brother we were going to get killed so we sought refuge at the neighbor's house.

4.  My BFFF once told me a scary story when I was a wee gal.  About this scary zombie hand that would shoot out of the toilet.  I still get nervous about flushing the toilet when I take a pee break in the middle of the night.

5.  I always tear when I yawn.  Anyone else?