Dear Allison,

After seeing a commercial from Google, that inspired me to write to my daughter, Allison Ton.

Dear Allison,

I'm at work thinking about you. I'm worried that you're not getting enough to eat since its so hard to get you to drink 3 oz of milk at nearly 5 months old. Every meal is like a wrestling match, stopping your hands and feet from flying every where.

I constantly think of you when I'm not with you. I wondered is it normal or healthy. When you're asleep, I watch you sleep and it brings so much inner peace and it makes my worries all go away. I wanted to bring you to work everyday if I can.

You also make me wanted to work harder so I can make your life easier when you grow up. But I also don't want to work as much because you're growing up right before my eyes and I don't want to blink or I'll miss out on your first of anything.

You laugh hysterically when I told you your fart stinks. You cry when you know I'm mad when you poop so much that it got all the way up to your neck and I don't know where to start cleaning. You start eating from the spoon at 4 months old. You love rice cereal mix with pear sauce.

You love to roll over and hang out for a bit before you go to sleep. You just discovered your toes and you love sucking on it. I put you out on the jumper and bounce for 15 minutes or so to worn you out so you can fall asleep faster. You love watching TV, therefore, I don't watch TV anymore.

This will be one of many, many letter that I'll be writing to you. I hope when you grow up, this site will still be up for you to read.

Love,

MOM

5/5/11

For my 31st birthday, Calvin took our little family to Reno for two days. I don't really need to do anything, really. Because I felt like the I've the most perfect gift for life; a healthy daughter with all 10 fingers.

The only thing I wish for is to lose that extra 30 pounds I'd gained during pregnancy that I still couldn't get rid off. In fact, I've gained a few pounds because Allison has been treating me so well. She sleeps for 10-12 hours every night since 3 weeks old.

Allison Ka-Hei Ton 02/27/11

It was Sat.night 2/26/11 around 5pm, I felt water tingling down from my vajayjay. Calvin was home at that time, getting ready for work. I told him that I think my water broke and assured him that its fine and told him to go to work anyways. Then, I head to Mi pueblo to buy me a spicy pork burrito and iced cold papaya drink. I also had my eyebrow and underarm waxed. That was all in my to-do list before I go into labor and I have to get it done no matter what. Got home by 8, took a shower and as more water leaked out, I started to panic. Called Kaiser, and they told me to come in check if its urine or water. Call calvin at work and he didn't come home til 10. With no contractions so I wasn't at all in pain, and in my mind, I thought it was a false alarm. Got to the hospital, find out that in fact my water did broke and they wanted to give me proticin immediately since my water broke since five and still have no contractions. Calvin wanted to wait out and feel confident that the contractions will come. By 3am, the dr order the medication for contractions, by 4 am, I was starting to feel the pain coming stronger and longer. By 7am, with no end in sight, I was so exhausted that the midwife told me to get the epidural. I agreed since I wasn't in the mind set to make any decision on my own anymore. Within ten minutes of injecting the epidural, I slept through the rest of the morning til 11am. Doc came in to check and I was 10 cm dilated and I was ready to push. Two hours later and all the dr sees is the baby's dark hair moving in and out. With no feeling from the waist down, I have no idea what im pushig plus I couldn't hold my breath long enough to push. By then, there was at least 10 medical staff in the labor room. They bought the the vaccum and suck the baby out. With one last push, the baby finally came out. It was so surreal. I was in a daze. It was life and death in a matter of a split minute. The nightmare was finally over. They put the baby on me, she looks black and blue and no sound came out. I started to cry hysterically! I thought it was a still birth. I was so frightened and a million things run through my mind. After the pediatrician took her and slapped her a few times, she started to cry a bit but not a lot. They whisked her away immediately because she has a fever because I had a fever. For the next three days, we stayed at the hospital. The baby was at the nicu. The first two days, I was jealous because calvin was with the baby all the time. I don't feel the connection at all. I was in withdrawal. I just wanted to be by myself and healed up my stitches and get my temperature down. By the third day, the baby gets to stay with me. Thats when my mother instinct starts to kick in. One look at her, it was love at first sight. Its like my high school crush but times 100. Its so strong and the bond is so addicting!! I can't get enough of her. Now, I dreaded going back to work. I know ill miss her alot at work. This is feeling is so weird and its so hard to described. It makes wanna do it all over again even when its so painful. When I see her, all of the pain and suffering disappeared. I just wish she'll stay small and attached to you instead of growing up so fast and leave you. I wonder if she ever know the love I have for her.

June 2010

Last year today, we weren't even thinking about starting a family since we were so busy working. The picture is kind of blurry, but that was taking in June of last year. The home pregnancy test confirmed that I was pregnant and the ob/gyn confirmed that I was already 4 weeks along. We're so excited and nine months fly by so fast that I wish I have a time travel machine and turn back time and have her in my stomach kicking and elbowing and feeling her hiccups all over again. I don't even mind all those morning sickness.

Janet & Ay 10/07/10

Wow, my baby sister got hitched last year and got pregnant a month later at their honeymoon. Our kids will be less than five months apart. My parents will have two grandkids in less than one year! So super duper excited for my sister and brother in law.
She was a beautiful bride. Her lavish wedding dress compliments her slim figure nicely!

Seattle, Washington

For Thanksgiving, Calvin and I flew to Seattle for two days. I was six months along with our first child, so that's the best excuse for me not to work during the holiday. Seattle was beautiful, including their snowy weather. Calvin went there before, so we're able to navigated the city fairly well. We went to Chinatown of course for dim sum. Pike Market Place, went to the downtown, watch the tree lighting ceremony. One bizzare thing at downtown was that all these people holding signs that said, "BUY MORE THINGS." I guess that's their clever way of stimulating the economy. It was short and sweet. Some alone time with the husband before our life will never be the same again. In a butterflies and rainbow way!
The picture above is at a Japanese Market in Chinatown. The wine looks so yummy!!

Never Again

I Can't believe girls like that still in existence. Or maybe I've been in hibernation mode too long. This girl was all BeBe out, full blown hair with perfect curls, plenty of makeup, big Gucci bag, perfect nails and expensive shoes but yet expect guys to pay for her share of the dinner. Everything is fine except the guy who's paying for her share took out $40 for him and for her share. Come on buddy. Food and non stop alcohol flowing for $20/person?!? Where are you from? China?!? When we told him its actually $40 per person, he said,"wow, so expensive!' But in Chinese so his female friend wont understand. Also amazes me how a girl can spend so much money on herself but unwilling to pay out $40 for dinner for a friends bday. Or I have a better idea, bring a more generous date.

I'm extremely......

Uncomfortable and extra bitchy lately!!!!

FML

Like any holidays of the year, I was working on Christmas. A family of four ate $40 and left me a $2 tips. I always give good customer service. FML

26 weeks

So, I think I'm starting my third trimester now. My first trimester was the most miserable three months of my life. Every single symptoms a pregnant woman can possibly have; I had. From morning sickness to sciatica, I've experienced it all. At one point, I thought I'll have to stay in bed or a wheelchair for the rest of the pregnancy!
The second trimester passed by so fast and it was a breeze. I was able to work full time and eat anything I want without feeling bad.
Now as I'm approaching the beginning of the last trimester, I'm feeling a bit uncomfortable and nervous. I'm still trying to work part time so that I'm able to make the transition from working full time to full time mother a lot smoother and healthier; for my mind at least. I'm still not sure how I'm going to approach parenthood with my lack of anything domestic. Classes? Books? Advice from Friends?
Or worst, advice from my mom, when she always said, "wait til you have mean kids of your own!"
Being pregnant isn't really fun or comfortable but I still tried to make the best out of it. I can't help but laugh at the following things that are happening to me:

-Everyone called me the pregnant lady.
-I walk like a duck.
-I pee every time I sneeze or throw up.
-None of my shoes, gloves, rings, bracelets, and clothes fit.
-Every time she kicks, it tickles and I'll laugh hysterically.
-My toes and fingers look like fat sausages.
-Where is my ankles?
-I made funny sounds at night because I have a hard time turning in bed.
-I'm no longer graceful.
-I need help up from the tub and bed.
-The amount of food I eat on a daily basis should be illegal
-My husband doesn't recognized me anymore.
-I couldn't even recognized myself.
-Bye Bye, 120 lbs, I'll never see you ever again!!!

Beyond all that, I'm not even going to try to be a perfect mom. There's ONLY ONE Einstein. I just want her to be healthy, full of baby fat, and no baby acne. =)

"If you can't be a good example, you'll just have to serve as a horrible warning."

-Catherine Aird

Our Grand-Puppy

Calvin and I are grandparents.

PUG + CHIWENNIE = CRAZY REBELLIOUS MUTT

KEUKENHOF GARDEN

It was perfect timing for us when we're in Amsterdam. The world's largest tulip garden is only open two months of a year, and we're glad that we crammed that into our tight schedule on our last day in Holland. It was amazing to see how they're able to bred so many thousand types of tulips. It was like stepping into a box of Crayola and the colors and designs are endless!

What I want to eat today....

Cheesecake Factory's Tuna Tartar
Legendary Palace's Eggplant Frog with Mint Leaves
Sweet Booth's Watermelon Juice Tapioca
And finish off with Hob Nob's Ketel One Tonic with Extra Extra Lime!!!
YUMMMMM!!!!

Amsterdam May 2010

This is probably the most and will be the most spontaneous trip of our life. Booking our flight just two weeks in advance and before we know it, we're on our flight to Amsterdam!
When we arrived, the entire airport and city became one giant Orange fiesta! Everything and Everyone were in Orange. They're celebrating the Queen's Birthday and Orange is their official country colour. When we finally got to town, we still have to walk half a mile to our hotel because all the streets were close for the city-wide party. And when they party, they PARTY! It's like Castro Halloween Party x 100. There's no room to walk or breathe. All you see is one huge fog that smells like weed. And seeing so many white people in Orange gets scary after awhile.
First impression: So many bicycles! Bicycles EVERYWHERE!!! Girls, Boys, Young, Old, riding bikes in all shapes and colors.
I really like all the canals that connects everywhere and we take the canal taxis all over town. Chinatown, Red Light District, Heineken, and Anne Frank's House.
The food selection is not as wide as back home. But their marijuana selection is so diverse so we had a hard time picking just one. Oh, and they have magic mushroom and some psychedelic, Indian cactus root thing that we're too scared to try.
Overall, it was a fun and carefree vacation. And we got so lazy by being spoiled with the freedom to smoke up on the public street, in our hotel room, and in all the coffee shops.
Will definitely recommended to all friends and family. But kids under 18 should stay away from the Red Light District.

GLEE!!!

Today, I'm feeling very misgivng for some odd reason.
And watching Glee's Season Finale Performance - "Journey Medley" and "Don't Stop Believing" gets me weepy.

Getting Old..........

Lately, I've been thinking a lot about aging. I don't like the idea at all. I wonder who will take care and stand up for me when I can't do so myself.
And along the way, there's no way to maintence my body while everything is sliding down south. Losing your teeth, hair, and height. Wrinkled up like a raisin. UGHHHHH!!!

Catcher in the Rye

In memory of J. D. Salinger that had died earlier this year, I'd decided to order "Catcher in the Rye" from Amazon to reread his only novel ever published.
When I first read this book in the 7th grade while attending Webster Intermediate School in Friendswood, Tx, I'd thought Holden was a very funny guy living a really boring life.
But after reading this book some 15 years later, I finally feel his loneliness and now at 30, trying to find some pure sincerity in this society. For an entire week reading this book, I couldn't get the lump out of my throat while tossing and turning in bed trying not to think about Holden's sadness.
In a way,this book makes you realize that so many people around you are such a "phony". Including people that are supposed to help you back on track end up tossing you out in the street. LITERALLY!
The lesson is that you're all alone is this cruel world and the only person you got is yourself. And people gets REAL SORE about constructive criticism, so keep all opinion to yourself.
And knowing Mr. Salinger ends up living the shadow of Holden's life by isolating himself from a world full of betrayal makes me even more sad

Legendary Palace Bill of Rights

In two months, November 2009 will mark the 7th year I've been working for Legendary Palace. To celebrate my love/hate and happy/miserable "career", I'd decided to write this blog to announce our new house rules. LOL!!!! =P

HOUSE RULES

-Cash ONLY
-No forks, sugar, sweet n low, low sodium soy sauce, to go boxes, ice water, egg fu young, and chop suey
-No quiet corner
-No return or cancellation
-Clean your own vomit, urine, and feces
-at least 15% service charge (no pennies accepted)
-menu prices are final, no negotiation; no discount
-NO, I do not know if the sharks are ethically treated for their fins! Can you tell me how our slaughter houses kill the cow, chicken, and pigs?

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!
PLEASE COME AGAIN!!!!

-Legendary Palace and Staff

Sydney NSW Australia July 2009

Calvin and I, along with my two brothers, Peter and Chris spent a week in Sydney Australia. Many people asked, "Why Sydney?" Well, its very obvious that Nemo was my inspiration, but in reality, its the cheap airfare. We paid $1000/person for round trip airfare and 7 nights stay at Sheraton at the Park.

When we land at Sydney, it was only 6am. So, to kill time before our 2pm check-in, we walk to Chinatown to Yum Cha. Their Chinatown is big and clean and the people are more polite than peeps in Oakland Chinatown. No offense to my fellow Chinamen in Oakland. =)

Places we visit in three days:

Darling Harbour
Sydney Harbour
Opera House
Bondi Beach
Blue Mountain
Whale Watching
And of course the Casino
Zoo


By the fourth day, we ran out of things to do. So we mainly walk three miles to all sorts of food court to grub. We walk the streets at any hours since you'll feel completely safe there. I mean, my brothers and Calvin was the only people in Sydney wearing baggy pants and over-washed, see through, white t-shirts. Everyone there looks like they're modeling for GQ or Vanity Fair. They're slim, well-groomed, fashionable, and naturally gorgeous. I can't help but feel ashamed and self-concsious when I walk down the street with them in the thousands.


To end the trip, we went to a nice restaurant for steak at Darling Harbour and I left my camera there, within five minutes, we ran back, and it was gone. GONE!! I spent the last day in bed refusing to eat or leave the hotel room because I need to mourn my lost. My brothers didn't help much by thinking that I'm overreacting and showing no sympathy. Well, they did bought me McDonald but the "Super Size" fries is equivalent to our kids' size, so that wasn't big enough comfort me.

So, yup, I lost all the hundreds of pictures that I took of wild kangaroos, ostrich, koala bears and breathless view of the city and their harbor and their many museums and the opera house.


So everyone should help me blame Calvin. He promised me that he's going to upload pictures for me, but instead he sneaks out at the middle of the night to gamble.

He so disappointed me.

And my memories of it can only take me thus far to write this blog.

Just a thought:

After the visit, its a fact that America is so behind in our mass transportation, health care, and education.




Good Night

Linda Phung

PS 22