Sleeplessness

Last night was one night that I thought I would sleep as well as the baby. As it turns, this was not the case. I could not fall asleep at all. My mind was still active even though my eyes were weary. I kept twisting and turning so much I woke the baby up.

Megan sleeps with me. I love to co-sleep because it usually helps me sleep better. When she slept in her crib I would wake numerous amount of time just checking up on her. I fear that she's too cold, or too hot, suffocating from her blankie, or just not comfortable. A peep out of her during the night would make me shoot off the bed to check on her. I was terribly sleep deprived during those nights. It got better, yes.

Then it got worse. She began to teethe. She would have slight fevers in the middle of the night. She would wake up in terror, maybe in pain. I do not know. I just know that I felt better and I slept better when she was in our bed.

Last night was the opposite. I woke her up. She began to kick and squirm, irritated that I woke her. Her sleep was disturbed. So the rest of the night, each time I would slightly fall asleep, she did something to disrupt my sleep. I eventually was not able to sleep until 3 or 4 am.

I woke up feeling awful... and sick. I guess somehow during the night I caught a cold.

My Poetry

I began writing poetry at 15. I was such an awkward teenager. Most of the time I was depressed and stressed. Even though I had a loving family, my parents were strict. I couldn't get a B in my classes. I had to be the best at everything. I was the daughter and the son they never had. I had to live up to the family name and bring all the pride home.

Poetry became my safe haven. Without it, I think I wouldn't be here today. It really cleared my brain from all the cluttered mess.

At 15, one poem I wrote was for content. It went on to win The Best in the City Award at the 10th grade level. Here are others I have written so far (more will be coming soon).

Disturbed
Whispers In The Wind
Little Pieces
Too Good
American Dream

I Lost My Way
I saw you one day
Walking with a friend
One look and I knew
We’d be together someday
You’re so right for me,
I hope you know,
But then I lost my way.

I had your heart
I saw that in your eyes.
I became your entire life
Wrapped yourself around me,
And so happy were we.
But I lost my way.

Along with your heart,
I also took your glee.
I broke your world
Into sad little pieces.
I’m sorry honey,
We’re not meant to be.
I lost my way,
My way to your heart.

I just fell out of love…
I’m so sorry.

Work In Progress

Many of my close friends do not know this about me: My dream is to be a writer... a romance writer.

I love to read and write. But my writings are more for business than pleasure. I have started several novels. But I have never completed any of them. Mostly these stories and these characters just rotate in my head, waiting for me to do SOMETHING! I have half heartedly pursued this dream.

I will try to use this blog as an outlet for that writing process. You will probably see many "beginnings" and never an end. Hopefully someday, I will be able to complete one novel or all.

Please note that these are romances so there will be adult content.

IF YOU ARE UNDER 18 PLEASE HAVE PARENTAL PERMISSION.

Only In My Dreams

untitled

Trouble

Customer Horror Stories

Most of our customers are really awesome people. But we get those customers who are just out of their minds.

Most Vietnamese customers are just really bad consumers. Many come to our store thinking we mark everything expensive and give huge discounts. We do not do that. They are always demanding for a 50% discount and NO TAX. I do not understand the no tax. Everyone has to pay tax. We get yelled at by Vietnamese consumers all the time, saying that are prices are too high. If they are too high, how come we're getting business. The only people who complain are Vietnamese people who just come in to attack us. They throw tantrums and whine and whine about prices. It's really sad to watch.

We had one guy insult us working women saying, "Don't talk to those girls. They don't know anything." The strange thing was he was the one who didn't know anything. He wanted to purchase this mixer with a built in amplifier. He asked me "How many watts does this unit have?" I told him, "It is only a mixer, so it does not produce any wattage." He told me, "No, I had one like this. It was also an amplifier." I had to show him on the box that the unit said "MIXER." Whatever dude.

We totally have Asians think that a mixer will make them automatically sound better. One time, this Vietnamese girl was like, "See. This mixer is broken. It doesn't make me sound better." She's singing on the mixer and we tell her you have to create your own sound. "In order to use the mixer properly, you need to adjust the echo, and other effects on this mixer, to fill in with your voice. You can't just plug and play. And each song is a different tune that you would adjust to fit accordingly. " She refused to believe that she had to sing well in order to sound good.

About 80% of Vietnamese people do not treat others how they are treated. I think they just shop to attack the business. We get a good percentage of machine illerate Vietnamese customers. They don't do product research before buying. They do not know the market prices nor do they know what the product they need to get. They all say "We're engineers. We know what we're doing. My son is a doctor. We're educated. We do not need help from you. We know more than you will ever know." That attitude and ego is such a nightmare.

We do not want your business if you keep acting so high handedly.

My Dream Home

I have a lovely house. It's a two story with my very own library. My husband has his flat screened TV living room, that is easily accessible to a nice sized kitchen. 2 bedrooms and a study finalizes the rest of the house.

But strangely, it's not my dream home. I think my dream home got inspired by a Premier Homes magazine, and now that house is stuck in my mind. I don't think I'll ever own a house like that. It's just too oppulent and showy. I'm just a suburban working mom.

Here are the pictures from my dream home from Premier Homes magazine:

Sippy Cup Saga Part 3

Okay, Megan is finally getting the hang of the sippy cup. She drinks about 5 oz of milk today out of her sippy cup. Her final feeding before bedtime is still a bottle. However, I'm optimistic, she'll stop and start using the sippy cup for this last feeding soon.

I feel a bunch of stress just lifted off my shoulders. It was such a horrible task. Megan kept crying the demanding the bottle throughout the day. But I sucked it up and figured I have to be MOM. She can't control me or she'll walk all over me.

Each morning, she gets a sippy cup of milk and breakfast. I keep offering that same sippy cup every hour. I figure she'll have to get used to this sippy cup.

Sippy Cup Saga Continues

Currently Megan can drink from a sippy cup for water and juice, but NO MILK. She refuses to drink her milk out of a sippy cup. She actually like the First Years Take and Toss Cups, as shown left.

I tried many things today:

Getting her to drink from a cup only (no sippy). She actually liked that. But I didn't. It was way too messy. It spilled all over her. She liked it because she got to play with the mess.

I also tried using a straw. Didn't work because she couldn't figure how to suck from the straw.

Then I took her bottle without the nipple top part, and tried to show her how to drink like a cup and with a straw. No to both tries.

Tonight before bed, she usually takes a bottle of 8 oz. But tonight, I gave her a sippy and she refused it. So she went to bed without anything to drink. Hopefully she'll sleep well.

So tomorrow, I will try the milk with cereal deal.

Sippy Cup Dilemma

Wow. Just when I thought troubles were over, we're having sippy cup problems. She is drinking normally from a sippy cup for just water and juice. But she refuses to drink milk out of a sippy. I'm at my wits end.

I googled answers and found this:

1. Use a cup. Try with and without a straw.

2. Give milk in a bowl with cereal. Get baby to sip from bowl.

3. Use milk in something else, like a smoothie.

I made an avocado shake today using 2 oz of milk. Spoon fed her, and she liked it. I will try the other methods and see which works. Wish me luck!

Parenting Questions?

I remember the first week after my baby was born. I was stressed and sleep deprived. Megan was not breastfeeding well. She seemed always hungry. I didn't know enough about a baby to begin with. I felt like I was a horrible mom. "How could I keep raising a child when I don't know what to do?"

I mean, "Wasn't I supposed to know intrinsically?"

With the help of http://answers.yahoo.com/, saved my sanity. I would just search for answers. "How much is a my week old baby supposed to drink? How do you wash her? What am I supposed to do when she..." The most important thing I found was that many moms out there were in the same position as I was. They were having doubts but with http://answers.yahoo.com/ we found the answers we needed.

My current question was how much whole milk should my baby drink?

My doctor said "12oz to 15oz" a day. Megan was drinking on average 28oz a day. I found out that this was bad. Cow's milk contains a lot of calcium which could cause dental problems later on and even digestive problems.

So just in the past two days, I've but back 2 feedings. She seems to be handling it just fine. Amazing! I thought she would cry and starve.

I guess that means she's eating enough.

Guilt Trips = Road of Pain

I was raised in a loving family. I just didn't get the kind of love I wanted. The more I pleased my parents the harder they were on me. If I gotten an A in school, it was not "Good Job!" But it was "Why didn't you get an A+?" I had once gotten a B in English in 10th grade. My father enrolled me in Sylvan Learning Center.

I always wanted a praise from them, but I never really gotten that. When I had gotten into New York University, they had bribed me to stay at home. When I had gotten a job, they bribed me into working at their business.

It wasn't bribing. It was more like guilt trips.

Somehow, I am still falling for those guilt trips. The things I wanted to do, I couldn't do without a guilt trip. When can I ever move on?

Tonight wasn't an example of a guilt trip. But it hurt me nonetheless. Parenting is not easy. But they shower a love for my baby, than I had ever seen. I never gotten that attention.

I want reassurance that I'm raising my baby the right way. When my mom starts to say, Megan didn't drink enough, I responded "The pediatrician said only 12oz to 15oz a day." My parents would constantly respond that I was raised differently and grew up fine.

I really didn't like how I was raised in the first place. I was on formula until I was 3. I had cavities with 6 silver teeth at the age of 4. I didn't have a drop of water as a child. I drank Seven Up since I was a baby. All because my parents "raised" me that way.

My beliefs are clashing with their methods. My mom got fed up at my "wishes" and said that I should handle it fine, that she will no longer interfere.

Why does it always seem to be a threat that comes out of my mom's mouth?

All About Sassy - That's Me!

I grew up knowing I wanted to be a business owner. It was in my blood since I was born. I knew I was going to be the best damn student in my class. I knew I would graduate from college and do something I have always dreamed about. Mostly, all my dreams came true. I even met the guy of my dreams.

The only thing I never planned (and had gotten) was my baby girl, Megan. Yeah, she was a surprise. I had thought to put off parenthood for another two to three years. I was enjoying my quiet time with my husband. I love the independence of just staying out till the wee morning. I love to just go here and there without any objections.

With a baby, my life quickly took off at a speeding pace. No longer was I cruising on the side roads looking at the scenery. I was now heading probably break neck speed along 10 lanes of traffic without any idea where I'm going. I was always afraid of the police, but now I wish a cop would pull me over and tell me to slow down.

My life is never going to be the same.

BOA - English Debut Album

Sushi Hana - Richmond, TX

I went to Sushi Hana about 4 nights ago. It was the best Sushi I've had in a LOOONNGG time. It was sooo delish that I'm still craving for the Pokemon Roll. When I read the description of the roll, I was intrigued. My friend had the VIP roll and that was very good also.

Pokemon roll is a crab, avocado with cucumber center and is topped with a fresh snow crab salad. Yummy! I love that it was fresh and the seafood wasn't dry or hard.

The VIP roll was tempura shrimp, asparagus, cream cheese, topped with crab.

Can't wait to go back. I'm dreaming of eating sushi right now.

We also had the beef asparagus rolls and gyoza as appetizers. Their miso soup is good too.

My experience here was great. They just opened about 3-4 weeks ago near the Belle Terre subdivision. The service was adequate, attentive and average. It looks really fancy in an Italian fine dining way. I kept thinking of Azzarelli's when I was there.

The only complaint that I have is when they brought out a dish to the booth behind us. Apparently it was a sizzling plate, but it was emitting so much smoke, our table couldn't breathe! Our whole booth had a haze of smoke. We were so afraid that the smoke would set off the sprinkler system that was right on top of us!

I think they should take that dish off the menu or they should heat the sizzling plate so much to cause that much smoke.

Sushi Hana Fusion Cuisine
5610 W Grand Pkwy S #300
Richmond TX 77406
281.239.8626

Chicken with Peas and Mushrooms

This is a quick Rachael Ray recipe. I love it! It's so easy to make and it's so good.

SERVES 4
Prep Time: 15 min
Cook Time: 45 min

You need:
8 chicken thighs
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon fresh thyme
Salt and pepper
8 ounces mushrooms, halved
1 onion, coarsely chopped
One 10-ounce package frozen peas

1. Position a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat to 400°. On a rimmed baking sheet, toss the chicken with 1 tablespoon olive oil, the thyme and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper; roast for 20 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine the mushrooms, onion, peas and the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil; season with salt and pepper. Add the vegetables to the chicken and cook for 25 minutes more.

ABDC - Quest Crew

I love the Quest Crew on the 3rd season of American's Best Dance Crew. They are hillarious and very good.

Check them out from this video challenge of Britney Spears "Toxic".

When You're On The Run, Dinner's Last On Your Mind

I work 6 days a week. I take care of my 13 month old baby. I take care of my husband. I cook and I clean. My husband helps me around the house, but of course he can't read my mind, like "put laundry in washer."

After a long day at work, the last thing I want to think of is dinner. I dislike coming home without knowing what to eat. But that happens a lot. When i don't know what's for dinner, the family usually heads out to a restaurant. So It's like $30 or more dollars for dinner. Or when I don't know what's for dinner, I would get home and figure out what we all want. What can my husband eat, can my baby eat along, me - I'm easy, I'll eat anything.

Sometimes the food is easy to make. Sometimes I lack things in the kitchen and then I would search for another recipe. Cooking - I love it and I hate it!

But for the past 2 months, I have been going to Super Suppers (http://www.supersuppers.com/). They have locations all over the U.S. They make your meals for you. All you do is head out to a storefront 1 time a week, and pick up all your meals. As many as you want.

A regular sized meal equals 3 servings which is just enough for me, my husband to share and for our baby to mooch. A regular size is $12.00 at my location. The size also comes in a full size which is equal to 4-6 servings and is $24.00. That's amazing! 1 serving - $3-$4! That's all.

It's packaged in zip lock bags or aluminum trays for easy baking. Most meals take about 15-20 minutes to make. Their menus change each month also. So your family won't be forced to eat the same old things over and over again.

Last night we had Swedish meatballs with noodles and it was DELISH! I even had a bit left over for this morning's breakfast. They make all their selections without any preservatives. I love how my family is eating healthy.

Visit your local Super Suppers or something like that. In the Houston area we also have Chef For You and several more. Google Personal Chefs in Houston or wherever you're located.

They have great meals and it saves you time. Us working moms need more time for family.

Sale? I'm There

I always love a good sale, especially for good quality couture stuff. Shopbop.com is a great place to get the name brand clothing. But sometimes they have really great sales.

I love this "Dolman cardigan" or maybe it's just the model wears it well. The best part is that this once $125.00 cardigan is now only $37.50.

Unfortunately I found it too late and it only has a Large. Sometimes size won't stop me from getting it but I don't have the habit of picking anything that is ON SALE. Anymore.

I've made those mistakes before.

::sigh:: I'll find something else though.

TBR Pile

Smooth Talking Stranger by Lisa Kleypas
In Stores Date: March 31, 2009


Synopsis
Jack Travis leads the uncomplicated life of a millionaire Texas playboy. He makes no commitments, he loves many women, he lives for pleasure. But no one has ever truly touched his heart or soul. Until one day, a woman appears on his doorstep with fury on her face and a baby in her arms. It seems Jack is the father and this woman is the baby's aunt. The real mother abandoned the child to her more responsible sister. And now, Jack is being called upon to take responsibility for the first time in his life.With delicious romantic tension, characters so real they walk onto the page and into your heart, Lisa Kleypas delivers the kind of novel that makes you laugh, love; cry and cheer.

To Romance a Charming Rogue by Nicole Jordan


In Stores Date: February 24, 2009


Synopsis
The bold games of passion play out with delicious consequences in this fourth novel of Nicole Jordan’s seductive new series, The Courtship Wars.Two years ago, lively beauty Eleanor Pierce spied her dashing betrothed, Damon Stafford, Viscount Wrexham, with his former mistress and furiously ended their engagement. Now the charming rake is back in London, meddling in Eleanor’s affairs, bent on thwarting her new suitor. And when Damon’s intoxicating kisses rekindle her deepest longing, Eleanor loses her heart . . . again. But as she has no intention of allowing history to repeat itself, she embarks on a plan of tantalizing seduction, vowing to tame the rogue before she surrenders to his wicked, willful desires.Determined to stop another man from wooing and winning the woman he loves, Damon knows that claiming Eleanor’s heart is all that matters. But this scandalously bold beauty means to beat him at his own game of romance–a game he is ready and willing to lose.




Branded By Fire by Nalini Singh
In Stores Date: July 7, 2009

Read Excerpt here: http://www.nalinisingh.com/branded.html



Warning: It's HOT!

Plum Spooky by Janet Evanovich

Synopsis:

Turn on all the lights and check under your bed. Things are about to get spooky in Trenton, New Jersey. According to legend, the Jersey Devil prowls the Pine Barrens and soars above the treetops in the dark of night. As eerie as this might seem, there are things in the Barrens that are even more frightening and dangerous. And there are monkeys. Lots of monkeys. Wulf Grimoire is a world wanderer and an opportunist who can kill without remorse and disappear like smoke. He’s chosen Martin Munch, boy genius, as his new business partner, and he’s chosen the Barrens as his new playground. Munch received his doctorate degree in quantum physics when he was twenty-two. He’s now twenty-four, and while his brain is large, his body hasn’t made it out of the boys’ department at Macy’s. Anyone who says good things come in small packages hasn’t met Munch. Wulf Grimoire is looking for world domination. Martin Munch would be happy if he could just get a woman naked and tied to a tree. Bounty hunter Stephanie Plum has Munch on her most-wanted list for failure to appear in court. Plum is the all-American girl stuck in an uncomfortable job, succeeding on luck and tenacity. Usually she gets her man. This time she gets a monkey. She also gets a big guy named Diesel. Diesel pops in and out of Plum’s life like birthday cake – delicious to look at and taste, not especially healthy as a steady diet, gone by the end of the week if not sooner. He’s an über bounty hunter with special skills when it comes to tracking men and pleasing women. He’s after Grimoire, and now he’s also after Munch. And if truth were told, he wouldn’t mind setting Stephanie Plum in his crosshairs. Diesel and Plum hunt down Munch and Grimoire, following them into the Barrens, surviving cranberry bogs, the Jersey Devil, a hair-raising experience, sand in their underwear, and, of course . . . monkeys.

I'm telling you, I love Stephanie Plum. I especially love the love "rectangle" between Joe, Ranger, Diesel and Stephanie. It makes my heart thump thump like mad! Joe is funny as always. And I am a Cupcake forever. But then there's a part of me that wishes Stephanie would stop being practical and jump at a chance with Ranger. Diesel, now he's just a boy toy on the side for Stephanie. =)

I am kinda in awe that Ranger shows a bit more reaction to Stephanie in Plum Spooky. I think in Fearless Fourteen, many readers felt let down because Ranger just popped in to say "Babe" and popped away for way too many pages in between his scenes. This "in-between-numbers" book was great. Just the right amount of Joe and Ranger. And of these "in-between-numbers" book has to feature Diesel way more.

Ranger showed a bit more affection, comforting Stephanie after getting chased by Wulf. I am intrigued by Wulf. I wonder if he'll appear more often.

The whole bit with Carl the monkey is hillarious! I love monkeys. They are super smart and it is so great to see more of Carl.