Here goes my Birthday again!

Could there be a better Anniversary ever?

Time goes by much faster than you can ever imagine.  Last year's Anniversary is still freshly printed in my mind, another one just came by today.

Rob took me to this neighborhood restaurant Fish Market.  I remember we used to go there all the time when we were still dating.  Now that we are so close to it, yet haven't been there for years.  Maybe he wanted to bring some old memory back to our lives. We walked over, strolling Erlan with us.  Walking on the street, I felt so lucky and happy while the evening dusk sun and breeze lightly touching my face.  I inhaled deeply, couldn't help thinking what a lucky mom and wife I am.

So, here we are.  Sitting inside of the restaurant, looking at the food menu, I found out they print their menu everyday, how interesting and unique.  Everything on the menu seemed delicious and we ordered some New England Clam Chowder, Warm Spinach Salad, Misoyaki Glazed Canadian Salmon and Sauteed French Green Beans with Mushrooms, of course with lots of Souredough bread for baby Erlan.  We determined that he is definately his father's son who loves bread and noodle dishes so much.  When we were enjoying our food, there came something magic, a familiar voice and song caught my attention.  OMG! It was YOU'RE IN MY HEART.  Guess what, that was the moment that my dad walked me through the isle, and handed my hand to Rob.  Oh, I felt some joyful tears in my eyes, wishing my parents were here to witness my happiness.

Well, this was my perfect Anniversary, nothing less and nothing more!



I didn't know what day it was
when you walked into the room
I said hello unnoticed
You said goodbye too soon

Breezing through the clientele
spinning yarns that were so lyrical
I really must confess right here
the attraction was purely physical

I took all those habits of yours
that in the beginning were hard to accept
Your fashion sense, Beardsly prints
I put down to experience

The big bosomed lady with the Dutch accent
who tried to change my point of view
Her ad lib lines were well rehearsed
but my heart cried out for you

You're in my heart, you're in my soul
You'll be my breath should I grow old
You are my lover, you're my best friend
You're in my soul
My love for you is immeasurable
My respect for you immense
You're ageless, timeless, lace and fineness
You're beauty and elegance
You're a rhapsody, a comedy
You're a symphony and a play
You're every love song ever written
But honey what do you see in me

You're an essay in glamour
Please pardon the grammar
but you're every schoolboy's dream
You're Celtic, United, but baby I've decided
You're the best team I've ever seen

And there have been many affairs
Many times I've thought to leave
But I bite my lip and turn around
cause you're the warmest thing I've ever found

First Time Zoo in America

Yesterday, on demand of my son, we went to Oakland Zoo. Believe it or not, that was my first time visiting zoo in America. Rob was so suprised and couldn't believe it after I told him that fact. However, I made very good arguement that he had to agree in the end. I asked him:" when was the last time you visited a zoo?" He said:" when I was a kid I remember..." I said:" See, when I came to America, I was not a kid anymore. I was in my twenties and nobody would date their boyfriend of girlfriend in a zoo. You never took your ex-girlfriends here, right? I think the only time you come to a zoo is when you are a kid or you have a kid." He smiled and nodded. 

A Fun Trip to Wine Country

I was told by several girlfriends that if I could drink with them at our cruise to Mexico that will be so much fun for everyone.

So encouraged by them, I started practising drinking two weeks ago, a quarter of red wine glass everyday.  That's how much I can take without getting drunk.  To show his support, Rob decided to take me to Napa Valley to get a wine tour and tasting.

Clos Du Val Winery is a winery in the Stags Leap District of California's Napa Valley. The winery was founded by two men who were born into the French wine business, John Goelet and Bernard Portet. After scouting the world for two years to locate areas where they might produce Bordeaux-style wine, Porter identified the then-undiscovered Stag’s Leap district of California’s Napa Valley as especially promising. Goelet bought 150 acres (61 ha) of vineryard land and established the winery in 1972. The next year he bought 180 acres (73 ha) in the Los Carneros region to produce the Burgundian varieties, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. 

Clos Du Val is named a Wine & Spirits Magazine "Winery of the Year" for the fourth time in five years.   Participated in 30th anniversary of the Judgment of Paris Tasting 2006, staged simultaneously in Napa and the U.K. Clos Du Val 1972 Cabernet Sauvignon and four other California Cabernets beat out the original French Bordeaux wines, proving that Clos Du Val wines truly age with grace.

 

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars is a Napa Velley First Growth.  It's founded by Warren Winiarski and his family in 1970.  Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars is best known for our estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignons—CASK 23, S.L.V., and FAY. Over the years, these wines have become some of the most highly regarded and collected wines worldwide. They are fashioned to express classic elegance, structure, and ageability, and to reflect the place in which they are grown.

 

Silverado VineyardsRon and Diane Miller chose to purchase land with existing vineyards in the mid-1970s after a long time romance with the Valley. Although the Millers' original intention was to only grow grapes, it wasn't long before they began construction of their own winery on the property in 1981.

My Tea Set

One of my biggest pleasure is to drink Kong Fu tea with a few good friends.

I bought this beautiful set of purple sand clay pot when I was back in China last year and very fortunately brought it back without any crack or scratch.  Special thanks to my friend who helped me choosing this one of a kind hand made art piece.

Tieguanyin is my favorite tea.  It belongs to Oolong tea and ranges between green tea and black tea. It is semi-fermented and tastes great with purple sand clay pot which is well known for bringing up best smell and flavor of Tieguanyin.

Chinese New Year

Very coincidently this year I celebrited Valentine's day, Chinese New Year and President Day with three girlfriends in one long weekend. 

We played Ping Pong and Pool first, then drinking Kong Fu tea with our favorite sunflower seeds.

 

母亲节, 父亲节的几张照片

花菜培根汤




海鲜焗饭 Paella

ZT: 幸福婚姻法则

温格•朱利是美国的一位婚姻问题专家，他写了一本书，叫《幸福婚姻法则》。为了提高该书的发行量，他决定聘请一位代表性人物，作为该书的代言人。

　　2006年情人节，有一对夫妇被美国有线电视网(CNN)隆重推出，他们是102岁的丈夫兰迪斯和101岁的妻子格温。这一天，他们之所以成了美国的新闻人物，是因为在离婚率不断攀升的美国，他们俩创造了一项纪录，婚姻维持了78年。

　　朱利想，《幸福婚姻法则》一书的代言人，非他们莫属了。于是，通过新闻部门与他们取得联系，很快得到答复。说，可以！不过，他们得把书稿先看一下，以免一些冒牌的婚姻专家打着他们的旗号，推销自己的理论。他们并嘱咐作者最好能把书浓缩一下，因为都已是老眼昏花的人了，没有精力通读书稿。根据吩咐，朱利对《幸福婚姻法则》删繁就简，概括出“一大原则”、“三大定律”、“五大共识”。

　　好人原则———找一个好人，自己做一个好人。谁能做到这一条，婚姻想不幸福都难。

　　太太定律———第一条：太太永远是对的；第二条：如果太太错了，请参照第一条执行。

　　孩子定律———第一条：孩子永远是孩子，丈夫也是孩子；第二条：当丈夫引起你的不满时，请读三遍第一条。

　　家产定律———第一条：除了一张双人床外，其他一切东西都可有可无；第二条：当日子过得愈来愈烦琐，请共同高声朗读第一条。

　　夫妻双方若能遵守这三大定律，世界上所有的婚姻问题专家，都将另谋出路。

　　五大共识———夫妻双方要有这样的共识：1、爱情是把两个人拴在一起，婚姻是把一群人拴在一起。2、结婚意味着杀富济贫，在金钱的支配上不能搞平均主义，更不能斤斤计较。3、夫妻之间一旦发生矛盾，出面劝说的人越多，矛盾越是不容易解决，必须学会自我消化。4、婚姻是一部机器，故障在所难免，离不开日常的调适和维护。5、家庭既然是难言之隐的避难所，婚姻就应该具有藏污纳垢的能力。

　　朱利把提纲寄出之后，很快就收到了兰迪斯先生的回信。信是这么写的：朱利先生，您所提供的幸福婚姻法则，我读给太太听了，她差一点笑死过去。她说你的法则要是提前两天收到就好了，这样昨天与我的一场争吵就可以避免了。不过，她还是让我在这儿表示对您的感激。她说，她以后会比照着去做的。当然，是否能行得通，她心中没底。在这儿，我想私下里告诉你一句话，它是我太太曾经给我说过的：“在这个世界上，即使是最幸福的婚姻，一生中也会有两百次离婚的念头和五十次掐死对方的想法。”

　　不久，温格•朱利的《幸福婚姻法则》出版了，兰迪斯太太的那句话被印在封面上。

我的Labor Day Weekend - Scottish Highland Game 一观

Labor Day weekend, 在坛中一姐妹的邀请下, 有幸去观看了设在 Pleasanton Fairground 的
143 Annual Scottish Highland Games. 老公的祖母是苏格兰人, 他也算是有四分之一血统的苏格兰后裔了, 只是没能继承苏格兰的姓氏. 朋友的老公刚好继承了父亲的苏格兰姓氏, 而且他们的那个族裔相对来说算是一个很大的族裔, 所以他们很容易就找到了他们族裔的根据地.

苏格兰有几大文化特色, 民族服装, Pipe Music, and Whisky.

民族服装里值得一提的是Kilt. 他是给男士们( 现在女士也广泛使用) 设计的, 带有 Tartan (Pattern or Pleat known in North America), 长度及膝的裙子. 从十九世纪开始, Kilt 就被人们认为是苏格兰文化的中心代表. 它独特的设计 , 裁减 , 用料及传统集会的用途区别余其他的服装 . Kilt 通常与 Kilt Hose ( 羊毛袜, 到膝盖以下), 马夹, 带扣的大腰带, 和重重的皮鞋. 在集会上, 随处可见这样打扮的男男女女.









SCOTLAND 被比喻为King Of Pipers. 最有趣的是观赏各个CLAN 比赛Pipe Music. 不同的氏族穿着带有本族特色Tartan 的Kilt, 排着整齐的队伍, 背着腰鼓, 吹着Bag Pipe, 很有气势地踏着均匀的步伐过来, 然后在比赛中心围成一圈, 演奏比赛曲目.







这位姑娘真是帅气十足.






裁判员就站在不远的地方评分.


小朋友的舞蹈生动活泼.

说到苏格兰, 当然不能少了Whisky. 我们平时说的Whisky, 如果没有特别说明的话, 通常是指Scotch. 虽然我不是个喝酒的人, 既然来了, 也就一起去参加了品酒会. 不过实在没有办法ENJOY 手中的任他多少年历史的Whisky, 对我来说, 它是太烈了, 就象我无法欣赏中国的白酒一样 ( 希望没有冒犯酒仙们).

走到哪儿, 也少不了SHOPPING, 各式各样带民族特色的工艺美术品, 首饰, 服装, 害得我和朋友留恋忘返. 最后我们各自都找到自己满意的东西, 在美妙的音乐中告别了.

写在爸爸妈妈即将回国的日子

今天, 象每一个星期五下午一样, 下了班, 照常去 GROCERY SHOPPING. 不一样的是, 没有爸爸一早开好的菜单去shopping了, 而且买回来的grocery就只有自己一个人用了. 爸爸妈妈星期一就回国了! 一想到这儿, 泪水就禁不住地在眼眶里打转. 爸妈在一起的这一年里, 自己就象又回到了从前在国内的时候, 无忧无虑, 一日三餐, 他们都安排得井井有条, 从来不用去想今天该吃什么这样的问题. 到了MARINA FOOD, 看着满超市的东西, 竟然不知如何下手, 该拿什么, 一阵惊惶略过心头, 仿佛连基本的生存都成了问题. 正在彷徨而不止所措的时候, 老公来电话了, 说要meet me at MARINA, 跟我一起shopping. 如果是往常, 我也许就一口拒绝了. 因为MARINA 基本上就没有什么他要吃的东西, 而且还会slow down我买东西的过程. 但是今天, 可能是他也感觉到了什么, 从早上起床以来我就没怎么跟他说话, 觉得过意不去, 只好接受了他的好意.

回到家, 还没来得及unload grocery, 我一下就扑进妈妈的怀里, 大哭起来, 妈妈心痛地看着我哭肿的眼, 挂着泪的脸, 还以为我或是儿子发生了什么意外. 我只是一个劲儿的重复着: “妈妈我就是想你们了, 舍不得你们走!” 妈妈也禁不住我的煽动 , 跟着我一起哭起来. 爸爸一个人默默的一趟又一趟的把grocery拿进屋, 眼圈也有点湿润. 几分钟以后, 妈妈首先开口说话了, “女儿啊, 我们也舍不得你, 还有小飞飞, 走得真是让人放心不下. 不过你还是要坚强起来, 该承担的要勇于承担, 该付出的要舍得付出. 人生是这样的, 我们不可能陪你一背子, 我们总是要走的. "

老公走过来很charm 的问我: "What can I do for you, my darling?" Instead of answering him, I asked:" Do you know that I am sad?" He said: " Of course, that's why I want to help." I asked again: " Do you know why?" He said: "you parents are leaving, No. 1; I am leaving or dying is always the last that makes you sad." 我知道他是尽量让我开心, 所以我还是勉强笑了笑.


又及:

昨天终于送走了亲爱的爸爸妈妈. 由于航班晚点, 在机场又多和他们呆了一个多小时. 为了减少离别的伤心, 我们都尽量不去说那些告别的话. 所以我就扯一些在中国同学的事, 反正我的同学, 朋友妈妈大都认识, 她还能提供一些我还不知道的消息.

离别的时刻最后还是来了, 虽然一直故作坚强, 我还是没能在最后关头守住不掉的泪, 看着还什么都不懂的小飞飞, 一个劲儿的向婆婆爷爷挥手, 我既欣慰又心酸. 欣慰他活得高高兴兴, 天真烂漫; 心酸他还不知道晚上就没有爷爷陪他出去压马路, 没有婆婆无微不至的关心了.

邂逅

邂逅是一份惊喜也是一份忧伤, 是一份感动也是一份失落, 是一份牵挂也是一份快乐. 它没有"一川烟草, 满城风絮" 的绵绵愁怨; 没有"昨夜西风凋碧树, 独上西楼, 望断天涯路" 的苦苦守候; 也没有"衣带渐宽终不悔, 为伊消得人憔悴" 的切切相思.

萍水相逢, 尽是他乡客. 不相识的人, 不经意地邂逅, 彼此相视微微一笑就已足够. 然后各奔东西, 如飘萍各自流转, 经年之后再回首, 心中自有一份莫名的感动.

遥想当年, 诗人崔护在春游时, 邂逅一美丽的女子, 一见钟情, 但却把爱埋藏在心底. 翌年复往寻访, 只见亭台依旧, 却不见伊人. 感慨之余便题诗于门上:

去年今日此门中,

人面桃花相映红.

人面不知何处去,

桃花依旧笑春风.

遂成了一首千古佳作, 自唐代流传自今.

这样的邂逅, 多么让人荡气回肠, 心中那份感动, 自是不言而喻.

PARTY, PARTY, PARTY!

这个周末, 我们湾区跨坛的姐妹们在公主家举行了欢乐时尚派对，宴会的美食有多么丰盛，看看照片就知道了. 姐妹们的八挂经, 时尚品位, 家常话是三天三夜都说不完. 大家嘘寒问暖，男士们都是风度偏偏, 层出不穷的笑话与幽默, 还有小朋友的俏皮可爱的模样儿，都让人回味无穷, 频频捧腹大笑.
感谢热情周到的男女主人，为我们组织了如此精彩的派对, 意尤味尽.