I couldn't have asked for a more perfect weekend! The weather was gorgeous, we got to hang out with both family and friends, it wasn't terribly stressful, and M and I also had a chance to spend some time with each other. We were originally looking forward to going to the driving range on Saturday with some friends, but our plans fell through (due to laziness and lack of planning on everyone's part), so at the last minute, M came up with the great idea of going strawberry picking. He found a farm near us, and as I was looking at the directions, I realized I passed by it every day on my way home from work. It was fun... back-breaking work picking those strawberries, but we had a good time. After that, we went home, grabbed some lunch, and went for a stroll around our neighborhood - this time walking towards the other direction, and we managed not to encounter any dead raccoons. When we got home, we actually decided to do something productive and build the two shoe racks that have been sitting in our garage for the past week. That night, we had dinner at a local Japanese restaurant, and then went to see "Iron Man." The movie was pretty good, except I had a really bad case of food poisoning and had to leave the theater mid-way. Now I'm going to have to think twice before going back to that restaurant... and I didn't even eat any sushi!
On Sunday, we went to church as usual, and left immediately after service to head up to M's sister's place in Rockland County for a barbecue. The entire Y family came, except for M's oldest brother who had a basketball tournament in Philadelphia, so it was nice to see everyone and all the kids playing together. Surprisingly, we were the first to leave, but I was getting tired from the sun beating down on my face, and we had a long drive home, so we bid our farewells and headed out. We also found out that afternoon that we'd be hosting a barbecue the next day, so we had to go home and clean (some of our friends took the liberty to invite themselves over for a last-minute barbecue).
Monday morning, M woke up bright and early to continue cleaning. Me, being the lazier one, lounged in bed for another hour before getting up to help him vacuum. We then made our way to Shop Rite to pick up some veggies and fruit for the barbecue, and got home just in time before our friends came. They lit up the grill and got the food going. Of course, as luck would have it, halfway through, we ran out of propane gas, so M had to run out to Home Depot to pick up another one. It only takes one person to go exchange the empty tank for a new one, but for some reason, all the guys decided to go with him. Home Depot is only five minutes away from our house, and we were timing them to see how long it would take for them to return, or if they decided to go on a shopping spree. A good time was had by all (I hope). Everyone left early to beat the traffic, and we made them take doggy bags home.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Friday, May 23, 2008
Prayers for the Chapmans
Steven Curtis Chapman, the Christian artist that gave me the inspiration to adopt (which we are still looking into), has three adopted girls of his own. Two days ago, his youngest daughter, Maria Sue, was killed in a tragic accident. When I first heard it on the radio yesterday morning, I thought it was a joke. The five-year old girl was ran over by Steven's teenage son in their own driveway and flown to Vanderbilt Childrens Hospital in Nashville, but didn't make it. I can't even begin to imagine what the family must be going through right now. For those of you who can, please pray for them.
Here's a picture of the family. Maria Sue is the little girl in Steven's arms. It's hard to believe this family will never be able to take a photograph like this again.
Here's a picture of the family. Maria Sue is the little girl in Steven's arms. It's hard to believe this family will never be able to take a photograph like this again.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Gas Octane Dilemma
One positive aspect of moving to NJ is the cheaper gas prices (not to mention the full service), not that that was the first thing we thought about when we made the decision to leave NY. Seeing how much gas prices have skyrocketed these past couple of months with no end in sight is scary. Fortunately, it has not reached $4.00 a gallon in NJ yet, even for premium, but it's only a matter of time...
So M and I have been contemplating on the type of fuel to put into our Acura MDX. When we left the dealership with our new expensive toy months ago, we were told that she required Plus (the middle grade). However, in conversations with some family members, they called us idiots for using Plus on a leased vehicle that we will be returning in a few years. M's sister has leased BMWs and Mercedes in the past, and said that they've always used regular gas on them and never had any problems. I started doing some research online, and most forums I went on said there's no difference in performance, particularly since the MDX has the same specs as the Honda Pilot, which only requires regular gas. Also, the technology in cars these days allow them to automatically adjust to the lower octane fuel so that it doesn't damage the engine. There's still mixed opinions about this topic on these forums, but enough people have responded using the regular 87 octane that convinces me to at least try it.
So M and I have been contemplating on the type of fuel to put into our Acura MDX. When we left the dealership with our new expensive toy months ago, we were told that she required Plus (the middle grade). However, in conversations with some family members, they called us idiots for using Plus on a leased vehicle that we will be returning in a few years. M's sister has leased BMWs and Mercedes in the past, and said that they've always used regular gas on them and never had any problems. I started doing some research online, and most forums I went on said there's no difference in performance, particularly since the MDX has the same specs as the Honda Pilot, which only requires regular gas. Also, the technology in cars these days allow them to automatically adjust to the lower octane fuel so that it doesn't damage the engine. There's still mixed opinions about this topic on these forums, but enough people have responded using the regular 87 octane that convinces me to at least try it.
Monday, May 19, 2008
CISA Renewal
My ISACA (Information Systems Audit and Control Association) membership, which by default includes my CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor) certification, expired at the end of 2007, and I had no intentions of renewing since I am no longer in the controls/ audit field. However, I just received a final notice about my membership expiration today, and I started having second thoughts. What if I suddenly decided to leave BMS? What if I got laid off tomorrow, or next week, or next month? What if one day I go back to the audit world? Not that these are concerns I have for the immediate future, but with the ever-changing economy the way it is, you never know. Credentials are always a good thing to maintain, so now I'm thinking I should renew my membership. I have until the end of the month to pay them the astronomical fee they charge and keep my benefits without incurring the extra reinstatement fee. Historically, I've had BMS pay for such fees, but since I'm not in the audit/ controls role anymore, I don't think my manager would go for it (I've mentioned it in passing in the past, and I think she hinted no). It sucks that this is going to be out of my own pocket. We'll see if I can claim it on my taxes next year.
Hmm... I just thought of something else. I sent the ISACA membership department an e-mail and asked if I could maintain my CISA certification without renewing my ISACA membership. That way, it would only be $40 as opposed to $210. Since I don't need any of the "benefits" that come with the membership, hopefully paying the $40 and keeping up with my CPE (Continuing Professional Education) credits will be sufficient to keep my CISA status active.
10 minutes later...
Talk about a quick response rate! The ISACA membership department just got back to me and confirmed that I don't need to be a member of ISACA to be certified as a CISA. It's decided then. I will fork out the $40 and save myself $170 and much junk mail from ISACA that I never bother looking at anyway.
Hmm... I just thought of something else. I sent the ISACA membership department an e-mail and asked if I could maintain my CISA certification without renewing my ISACA membership. That way, it would only be $40 as opposed to $210. Since I don't need any of the "benefits" that come with the membership, hopefully paying the $40 and keeping up with my CPE (Continuing Professional Education) credits will be sufficient to keep my CISA status active.
10 minutes later...
Talk about a quick response rate! The ISACA membership department just got back to me and confirmed that I don't need to be a member of ISACA to be certified as a CISA. It's decided then. I will fork out the $40 and save myself $170 and much junk mail from ISACA that I never bother looking at anyway.
EY Po Kai
Po Kai (literal translation from the Chinese): to embarassingly fall down under the force of gravity, caused predominantly by one's own clumsiness
I wouldn't consider myself an extremely clumsy person. Sure, I have my moments where I accidentally trip over myself (especially when I was younger and had trouble walking straight), or when I step into a hole in the sidewalk, but I am usually able to recover from those incidents and regain my composure without injury. One thing that has never happened to me - until yesterday, that is - is missing the last step on a long flight of stairs down and falling on my knees. Ouch! I guess I was pre-occupied talking to M about the rain outside, and wondering if we'd need an umbrella that I didn't bother watching where I was going. Thinking I was already up to the last step, I put my foot down, expecting to land on solid ground. Little did I know that the only thing welcoming my foot was another eight inches of thin air. Naturally, that resulted in my po kai. At least I had enough sense to put my hands down, limiting the injury to my knee, which is now swollen black, blue, and red. It could have been worse, so I'm just thankful that it wasn't.
I wouldn't consider myself an extremely clumsy person. Sure, I have my moments where I accidentally trip over myself (especially when I was younger and had trouble walking straight), or when I step into a hole in the sidewalk, but I am usually able to recover from those incidents and regain my composure without injury. One thing that has never happened to me - until yesterday, that is - is missing the last step on a long flight of stairs down and falling on my knees. Ouch! I guess I was pre-occupied talking to M about the rain outside, and wondering if we'd need an umbrella that I didn't bother watching where I was going. Thinking I was already up to the last step, I put my foot down, expecting to land on solid ground. Little did I know that the only thing welcoming my foot was another eight inches of thin air. Naturally, that resulted in my po kai. At least I had enough sense to put my hands down, limiting the injury to my knee, which is now swollen black, blue, and red. It could have been worse, so I'm just thankful that it wasn't.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Lunch Plans
I'm having lunch with an old PwC colleague I worked with briefly 6-7 years ago, who is now at BMS. Small world! I guess he decided not to stay at PwC long enough to make partner. I saw his name somewhere and knew he had joined BMS, but didn't know if he'd remember me or not, so I never bothered contacting him. Then one day, out of the blue, I get an e-mail from him. Talk about a blast from the past! The odd thing is, he would've known me by my maiden name, so I'm not sure how he made the connection. He does currently work with people I worked with in my prior roles (who knew me before I got married), and he mentioned my name coming up in conversations with them, so maybe that's what happened. In any case, it'll be nice to catch up with him. It's funny how the most unexpected people come back into our lives after all these years. And it's even more surprising how we still remember each other, after working together on only one client that lasted about 2 weeks.
Yesterday, we had an Internal Audit Department (IAD) alumni lunch, where all the New Jersey folks gathered together at Bertucci's in New Brunswick for some brick-oven pizza. The turn-out was actually really good - we had about 13 people show up, which was more than usual. It's been a while since we all met up, so that may be a contributing factor as well. There's probably at least four generations of IAD alumnis now, and it's cool how we still manage to keep the network going and come together every couple of months. At a minimum, it's good just to go out for lunch and get away from the office.
Yesterday, we had an Internal Audit Department (IAD) alumni lunch, where all the New Jersey folks gathered together at Bertucci's in New Brunswick for some brick-oven pizza. The turn-out was actually really good - we had about 13 people show up, which was more than usual. It's been a while since we all met up, so that may be a contributing factor as well. There's probably at least four generations of IAD alumnis now, and it's cool how we still manage to keep the network going and come together every couple of months. At a minimum, it's good just to go out for lunch and get away from the office.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
B-O-R-E-D Spells BORED
I am bored. No other word sums it up better than that. I've been struggling for something to write about for the past couple of days, but the only thing I can think of are either the cyclone that hit Myanmar, or the earthquake in China. Both are too depressing, and I find it despicable how the government in those countries are handling the situation, so in order to prevent myself from getting upset over something I have absolutely no control over, I shall refrain from further comment.
Some updates from the burbs... the dove that hatched in the nest by the front of the house appears to be fully grown (although we could be mistaking it for the mother... can't really tell). The mother bird and its chick are no longer imprisoned to the nest, but they do appear to come back every once in a while, so M hasn't been able to take the nest down yet. He's been tempted to do so for a while now, but didn't want to deprive the birds of their safe haven. The incentive to take the nest down also grew after M's sister-in-law told us about her friend who had bird mites that came through the window into the house, infesting the family with rashes. However kind we want to be to nature, that's one thing we don't need.
M and I are trying to get into the habit of exercising more, so we've made it a point to take Saturday strolls around our neighborhood. (Of course, we can always use the elliptical machine at home that's collecting dust, but that would be too easy.) We walked around for about an hour and a half this past Saturday and checked out the houses in the area, venturing off to small streets we haven't been on before, admiring (or critiquing) people's landscaping abilities (or lack of). On the way back, we passed by a dead raccoon. That probably wasn't the most pleasant sight to see on a Saturday afternoon, but at least it hadn't started decomposing yet, and I didn't notice any flies around it. This weekend, it's off to the other direction... see what else we find along the way.
We'll also need to make a trip to the library this weekend (at least that's one place within walking distance from home). I haven't read any chick lits (as in chick flick, but in the form of a book) since I can remember, being that I've exhausted all the novels from the usual authors I like. Maybe it's time I try a new author, but I'm a creature of habit... unless it comes recommended, I like to stick with what I'm used to. On the bright side, there are a couple of new books by those same authors coming out this year that I can look forward to. Unfortunately, I'm not the only fan of chick lits at our local public library, and I am currently #67 on hold for one of those books.
A couple of weeks ago at the library, I tried looking for a book that KF read recently, called "In The World But Not Of It," about Brett Grainger's "experience growing up in a Christian fundamentalist family and community" (to quote from KF), but with no success. It wasn't until later on that I remembered her blog mentioning she got an unedited advanced copy of it. I also tried looking for a memoir written by Trish Ryan, called "He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not," about how she is able to recover from a disastrous marriage to find her faith in God and onto meeting the love of her life. Again, I come out empty-handed. It's probably too new; I think the book just came out last month, so I'll give it a few more months. In the meantime, maybe I'll go back to re-reading some of the chick lits I already have.
Some updates from the burbs... the dove that hatched in the nest by the front of the house appears to be fully grown (although we could be mistaking it for the mother... can't really tell). The mother bird and its chick are no longer imprisoned to the nest, but they do appear to come back every once in a while, so M hasn't been able to take the nest down yet. He's been tempted to do so for a while now, but didn't want to deprive the birds of their safe haven. The incentive to take the nest down also grew after M's sister-in-law told us about her friend who had bird mites that came through the window into the house, infesting the family with rashes. However kind we want to be to nature, that's one thing we don't need.
M and I are trying to get into the habit of exercising more, so we've made it a point to take Saturday strolls around our neighborhood. (Of course, we can always use the elliptical machine at home that's collecting dust, but that would be too easy.) We walked around for about an hour and a half this past Saturday and checked out the houses in the area, venturing off to small streets we haven't been on before, admiring (or critiquing) people's landscaping abilities (or lack of). On the way back, we passed by a dead raccoon. That probably wasn't the most pleasant sight to see on a Saturday afternoon, but at least it hadn't started decomposing yet, and I didn't notice any flies around it. This weekend, it's off to the other direction... see what else we find along the way.
We'll also need to make a trip to the library this weekend (at least that's one place within walking distance from home). I haven't read any chick lits (as in chick flick, but in the form of a book) since I can remember, being that I've exhausted all the novels from the usual authors I like. Maybe it's time I try a new author, but I'm a creature of habit... unless it comes recommended, I like to stick with what I'm used to. On the bright side, there are a couple of new books by those same authors coming out this year that I can look forward to. Unfortunately, I'm not the only fan of chick lits at our local public library, and I am currently #67 on hold for one of those books.
A couple of weeks ago at the library, I tried looking for a book that KF read recently, called "In The World But Not Of It," about Brett Grainger's "experience growing up in a Christian fundamentalist family and community" (to quote from KF), but with no success. It wasn't until later on that I remembered her blog mentioning she got an unedited advanced copy of it. I also tried looking for a memoir written by Trish Ryan, called "He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not," about how she is able to recover from a disastrous marriage to find her faith in God and onto meeting the love of her life. Again, I come out empty-handed. It's probably too new; I think the book just came out last month, so I'll give it a few more months. In the meantime, maybe I'll go back to re-reading some of the chick lits I already have.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Happy Mother's Day!
I just read this article on Yahoo News about a 41-year old woman in Arkansas pregnant with her 18th child, due on New Year's Day. Can you imagine having so many kids?? Apparently, the family must be pretty well off, living in a 7,000 square-foot home. The kids' age ranges from nine months to 20 years old, and all are home-schooled. The Discovery Health channel is doing a series on them: "One episode of the new show involves a 'jurisdiction swap,' where the boys do chores traditionally assigned to the girls, and vice versa... The girls swapped jurisdictions, changing tires, working in the garages, mowing the grass... The boys got to cook supper from start to finish, clean the bathrooms, among other chores." This should be interesting to watch when it comes out.
I like the parent's motto in raising their kids: "The success in a family is first off, a love for God, and secondly, treating each other like you want to be treated." Kudos to them for making a family of 19 (soon to be 20) work the way it has. And as if raising a dozen and a half kids aren't enough, they even have time to put together a family website at http://www.duggarfamily.com/.
On a personal note, M and I will be celebrating Mother's Day this Sunday with his mom (as expected, my parents declined the invitation to go over and have dinner together). My brother, sister-in-law, and little nephew will take my mom (and dad) out on Sunday. Too bad we couldn't do a combined family dinner together. It gets a bit frustrating how introverted my parents can be sometimes, but that's how they are and I just have to accept it. I did warn my father that the rest of my Sundays in May are shot, so the next time I can have dinner with him probably won't be until June. It's not even the middle of May yet, and I'm thinking ahead to next month already. How fast time flies!
I like the parent's motto in raising their kids: "The success in a family is first off, a love for God, and secondly, treating each other like you want to be treated." Kudos to them for making a family of 19 (soon to be 20) work the way it has. And as if raising a dozen and a half kids aren't enough, they even have time to put together a family website at http://www.duggarfamily.com/.
On a personal note, M and I will be celebrating Mother's Day this Sunday with his mom (as expected, my parents declined the invitation to go over and have dinner together). My brother, sister-in-law, and little nephew will take my mom (and dad) out on Sunday. Too bad we couldn't do a combined family dinner together. It gets a bit frustrating how introverted my parents can be sometimes, but that's how they are and I just have to accept it. I did warn my father that the rest of my Sundays in May are shot, so the next time I can have dinner with him probably won't be until June. It's not even the middle of May yet, and I'm thinking ahead to next month already. How fast time flies!
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Anniversary Lunch
My 5-year anniversary with the company I currently work at is coming up in a week. The admin approached me a couple of days ago and informed me that I have approximately $100 to spend on a lunch, and to let her know who should be invited so she could set it up. I wouldn't be able to get a decent meal with more than four people at that price! I was originally planning to have everyone in my boss' department go to lunch, but that's seven people... with appetizers and entree, it'll come out to more than $15 per person, unless we go for pizza or something. But I'm not about to waste a free lunch on pizza. It would be nice if I could just pocket the cash, but no such luck. I remember people use to be able to order a gift out of a catalog (in addition to the lunch) at their milestone anniversary, but with all the cost cutting initiatives they've had, I doubt the program is still going on. I guess the lunch is at least better than nothing... now I just have to figure out who to invite... and where to go.
Update:
Updates to my original blog seem to be a trend today. Not long after this blog entry was posted, the admin came by and asked me about setting up lunch again. I told her I haven't decided yet. The cap is so limited that I really don't know who to include. And it's lame just to have a one-on-one lunch with my boss. Any suggestions?
Update:
Updates to my original blog seem to be a trend today. Not long after this blog entry was posted, the admin came by and asked me about setting up lunch again. I told her I haven't decided yet. The cap is so limited that I really don't know who to include. And it's lame just to have a one-on-one lunch with my boss. Any suggestions?
Bird Still in Nest
Does anyone know how long it takes for a bird's egg to hatch? The bird that has made its home in a nest on top of our wreath by the front door is still there (refer to my Bird's Nest blog entry from 4/14/2008). I see it when I go get the mail each day. I guess the bird realizes that it needs to keep the egg warm, b/c it no longer flies away at the slightest sound we make. It's been almost a month... just seems like an awfully long time for the little chick not to come out. M went online to find out how long it takes for an egg to hatch, but each website had a different answer, so don't know which one's true. The poor bird's been there for so long... hopefully the egg is still viable.
Update:
M is working from home today and just called - the egg hatched!! Yay! He saw the little chick next to the mom when he went to put out the mail. And just when we were getting concerned... what good timing! =)
5/9/08:
The little chick and his mom have left the nest! I went home yesterday and found its home empty, with no indication that the birds will return. It took the egg a month to hatch, but it only took a day for it to learn how to fly and leave its birthplace. Makes me wonder... will we one day forget where we came from? Or have we forgotten already?
Update:
M is working from home today and just called - the egg hatched!! Yay! He saw the little chick next to the mom when he went to put out the mail. And just when we were getting concerned... what good timing! =)
5/9/08:
The little chick and his mom have left the nest! I went home yesterday and found its home empty, with no indication that the birds will return. It took the egg a month to hatch, but it only took a day for it to learn how to fly and leave its birthplace. Makes me wonder... will we one day forget where we came from? Or have we forgotten already?
Monday, May 5, 2008
Cinco de Mayo
Today is Cinco de Mayo, in commemoration of the day the Mexicans defeated the French in the battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. Although they won the battle, the French did succeed in taking over Mexico City a year later, and wasn't defeated until 1867. Cinco de Mayo is merely a regional holiday in Mexico, celebrated primarily in the state of Puebla. Ironically, it seems to have become a bigger deal in the US than it is in Mexico, where the majority of the country ignore this holiday. Somehow, Cinco de Mayo has transitioned into a day of celebration of Mexico's culture in the US. I'm sure it started off with good intentions, but the cynical side of me can't help but think this is just a marketing/ advertising scheme for businesses to make more money selling Mexican paraphernalia, food, and drinks during this time. Who knows? Maybe they'll even make a parade out of it one of these years.
Friday, May 2, 2008
World's Most Expensive Home
Mukesh Ambani, ranked by Forbes as the fifth most richest man in the world with a net worth of $43 billion, is building the most expensive home ever constructed in downtown Mumbai. Estimated to cost close to $2 billion, his mansion will be 27-stories tall (that's 550 feet high), with 400,000 square feet of interior space, and the first six floors dedicated as parking lots. The living quarters begin at the lobby, equipped with nine elevators. No two floors are alike - whether in floor plan or in materials. The house will be used occasionally for entertainment, which I guess is why it calls for the silver railing staircases leading into the ballroom with 80% of its ceiling covered in crystal chandeliers. This property is expected to be finished in January 2009. (http://www.forbes.com/realestate/2008/04/30/home-india-billion-forbeslife-cx_mw_0430realestate.html?partner=whiteglove_google)
I can't even begin to imagine the size of this mansion and what it looks like inside. What do you do with a house so big?? It seems so unfair for him to be spending his money like this when there are millions of people in his own country starving for food and looking for a warm shelter to spend the night. I wouldn't be comfortable building something so monstrous in the middle of the city when poverty strikes so close by. But that's just me... to each his own, I guess.
I can't even begin to imagine the size of this mansion and what it looks like inside. What do you do with a house so big?? It seems so unfair for him to be spending his money like this when there are millions of people in his own country starving for food and looking for a warm shelter to spend the night. I wouldn't be comfortable building something so monstrous in the middle of the city when poverty strikes so close by. But that's just me... to each his own, I guess.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)