Great News!

I was accepted into the Northeastern MBA program and will be starting class in November. I am excited to get back to studying. That means scalling back and rearranging priorities. More to come on this topic.

Appalled

I am appalled. The assessment that Sarah Palin exceeded expectations because she had no major gaffes and completed some of her thoughts. Is it just me or has America sank to a new low? When someone is viewed as a success if they don't completely screw up? I just don't get it. The sad thing is that there are people out there who actually believe that Palin won the debate. She did not answer questions, regardless of the topic she continued to bring up energy and Alaska, she was condescending, spoke in generalities and repeated sound bites. Unbelievable.

What was up with the winking? It was not folksy to me, it was down right insulting. Just imagine if I went into a meeting with one of my clients and I winked at the CEO and his staff not once but multiple times. How inappropriate. Do you think it reflects well on me if I use language such as, "Do you guys think this is a good plan for your company?" or "Dog gone it, sure looks like there is an error with your account." I have no idea why this is considered a positive trait. That is not the kid of person I want representing America and speaking to foreign leaders on our behalf.

Palin was extremely unknowledgeable and could not give any details. She couldn't even speak to McCains record. I am thoroughly disgusted and it blows my mind that people can look at McCain and Palin and think these two people should be leading our nation. All Palin does is make an already sexist society view women with lower standards. She is the perfect example that women are less intelligent and expected to perform at standards less then men which is why they don't deserve equal pay. She has set women back 50 years.

I guess my expectation of people using full sentences, having knowledge about the topics they need to defend or fight for and ability to concentrate on the issue at hand makes me an Obama elitist. If you truly want to see how sad John McCain's campaign is go to his website. The first thing that pops up is not John McCain it's Palin. He knows he can't win so what does he do, he puts up his gimmick and hopes that the American people are dumb enough to fall for it.

My thoughts on Biden...My sister Stephanie said it best when she said, "Biden is a bad ass!" He is a true reflection of what a true leader should look, behave and speak like. He was Clearly speaking from experience, understood the issues, was smart and extremely personable. He was strong but soft at the same time. There were so many times he could have hammered Palin but didn't. God forbid he seem condescending by pointing out her obvious flaws and mistakes.

Put our nation, our earth and our children first. Vote Obama/Biden on November 4.

Take a look at this...

The girls and I came home from an evening activity to find two grasshoppers mating. I've talked to the girls about mating but I have only told them as much as they can (or should) comprehend. They don't know yet how this translate into humans. God I hope I don't need to have that conversation for a few more years. Anyway, as we discussed what the grasshoppers were doing Taylor kept asking me why one grasshopper was carrying the other one. My explanation was, "...that's just how animals and insects generally mate." I know that left many more questions in her mind but I was counting my lucky stars that she didn't verbalize them.

I do have a question for those few people who read my blog. Taylor will be having her 9th birthday party in a few weeks. We talked to Taylor about birthday gifts and made the suggestion that maybe we ask her guests not to bring a gift but a canned good item for donation and/or make a contribution to her UNICEF collection. She was really excited about the change. In return we told her we would take her shopping to buy "stuff" she's been wanting. Kong made a comment that people will think we are hippies. What do you think? Do you think I'm cheating my child out of basic childhood pleasures? It's not like my kids need anything, right?

This past weekend we visited the Her's in Kansas City for a celebration. We drove 6 1/2 hours to KC, stayed one evening and drove 6 1/2 hours back the next day. It was a long and tiring trip but worth it. We got to see the newest addition to our family, Baby Lola who is beautiful, and spend time with the Hers even if it was just for a few hours. Pulling in at 1:30am, Kong and I had guests at home waiting for our return. It was wonderful hosting the Hers from Wausau. We even got to spend a few hours with them today before they went back home.

Lastly, I've been working with our children at church on a big fundraiser. An fundraiser of this size with kids has never been done before. The kids and I are super excited so please keep us in your prayers. The event is scheduled for October 18 (the day before Taylor's Birthday Party) so it will be a busy weekend. I will need great patience that weekend so all prayers are welcomed.

Happy but Sad : (

After years of talking about the good Taylor could do with her long beautiful hair she finally got it done. That's right. We got it cut last weekend. Taylor cut her hair and donated it to Locks for Love. Locks for Love takes the donated hair and makes wigs for children who are going through cancer treatment and have lost their hair.

I had a really hard time with this whole hair thing. I'm not sure if it's because cutting her hair would signify that Taylor is growing up or that I just couldn't part with it because it was so long and beautiful. Taylor was so ready to cut it and was very excited about what this meant for a child who really needed it. When we lived in Chicago she had a ballet friend who did lose all of her hair with Chemotherapy which drove home the importance of doing this. I kept asking her the week before we cut her hair if she was really, really read. I guess I was the one who wasn't ready to lose my little girl. Anyway, she looks beautiful. Everyone has been commenting on how mature she looks. Just what a mom who can't handle her eldest getting older wants to hear. Here are some photos from that day.
Before:

After!

Look how pretty she is.


Both of the girls started school in early September. Every year since Taylor has been in school I've gone with her and taken pictures. This is the first year I decided not to do so since she is in the 4th grade now. The first day of school is always exiting but nerve wrecking so I still went with her. I just didn't take pictures. She was actually a little sad and asked why I wasn't going to take pictures. Then we got to school, she saw her friends and pretty much forgot all about it. Ayden started school a week later. Here are some photos from Ayden's first day of school. She's a big girl Kindergartner now.
Already made a new friend.
Lastly, I tested for my blue stripe in Kuk Sool Won on Saturday and received my promotion. I thought I was going to die. PSBN Steffen does his best to torture us. We did over 350 push ups and made us sweat for an hour and a half. The higher ranking belts tested for even longer. It was a really hot day too so that made testing even harder. My right knee has been hurting so I know I'm not doing something right. I need to figure it out as I would hate to quite because of my knee.

Life has been busy around here. With Kong teaching on Thursday night, the girls and I attending Kuk Sool on Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday; Taylor with hip hop dance on Thursday; Ayden with gymnastics on Thursday and Church on Sunday there doesn't seem to be much time for anything else these days. Not sure how we are going to fit theatre and swimming into the schedule. Crazy!!!!!!

Simple Joys of Life

The girls are so funny. Since they can't have real pets (not because we don't like animals but our life style does not lend itself to caring for animals the way they need) so they have acquired two inset pets. The grasshopper belongs to Ayden and the dragon fly to Taylor. The thrill of catching bugs and jailing them in glass pickle jars. What a simple joy. This reminds me of the time Kong went to Newport Beach, CA for work and the girls asked him to bring them something back. He bought them each fun t-shirts (that were too expensive) and Taylor's comment to Kong was, "Oh, we were hoping for something like a seashell from the beach." They just wanted something simple. Nothing fancy. Anyway, see if you can identify where the insects are.

I had to include these pictures because they are hilarious. Last weekend Taylor was at Girl Scout camp so Ayden had nothing else to do but play by herself. She decided she was going to be Wonder Woman. To my surprise I found her outside sitting at the top of the front stair. I asked what she was doing and she said that she was waiting for a big gust of wind to blow her cape so that she would really look like Wonder Woman. She insisted on the hands on the hip pose as it was more realistic. I have no idea how long she had been out there or what people passing by were thinking but here is a series of pictures of her waiting for the wind gust. She finally gets the gust she's been waiting for.

Lastly, want to share that Ayden tested for yellow belt and she passed. She's been working really hard to remember her Ki Cho Hyung and techniques. We are really proud of her

Hallelujah!!!!

Kong just found out today that he passed his CFA Level II exam. I guess the fourth or fifth (we've lost count) time is a charm. The important thing is that Kong didn't give up. Maybe more importantly, I didn't give up on him.

Kong begins to study for this test in February and takes it in early June. He studies every night after the girls go to bed until mid-night then he generally studies all day Saturday and Sunday. Let me remind you that we've been doing this every February-June for the last few years. His test is a big commitment for our entire family. I will be the first to say that there were times where I wanted to give up, I wanted him to give up and I gave him ultimatums. I'm so proud of Kong and his persistence. Now...just one more CFA test next year and if he passes he'll be a Charter Financial Analyst which apparently is extremely important and prestigious in the Investments world.

As for me, the LSAT prep test class is going well. Lot's of improvements already from my original test. I'll be taking another full length exam on Wednesday so I'll have a better idea of how much I've improved. It's amazing how you don't feel old until you are in a room filled with young kids. Most of the kids in the LSAT class are either going to be Seniors in college or just graduated. I've always been the youngest in class, sports, job, etc...so it's hard now to participate in something where I'm literally the oldest. It's been quite the unique experience.

I don't know if between Kong, the girls and me if we'll ever be done with studying and going to school. Kong's plan for after I finish law school (my hope is to get my MBA at the same time-wishful thinking) is to get his PhD in Economics or Finance. He met with the head of the Economics PhD program at the U a few weeks back and is really exited about it.

Anyway, enough about us. This past weekend we took one last mini trip to Jellystone Park in Warren, Wisconsin before Mom and Dad head back to Laos to resume their missionary work. It was nice having them home. We will miss them. Especially the grand kids since Mom and Dad love and care for them so much. Below are some pictures from our trip. Everyone had a great time. We stayed in a really big cabin that accommodated our entire family.

On our way to go fishing. The pond was really choked with weeds so we did not have a lot of luck. Ayden caught the only fish of the day.


Yawm Yawm (Grandpa) helping Gabe with his bobber and worm.
Yawm Yawm fishing with Roan.
Tom and Ethan getting Ethan's line all ready for casting.
Tais Tais (Grandma) joins in on the fun and helps Gabe cast.
Gabe and Roan enjoying some quite fishing time.


Tais Tais and Ayden on their walk
Smiles all around for Yawm Yawm and the boys on their stroll.
Getting ready to go to the water park. Well...at least Aleah was. Everyone else was just laying around. Ayden riding a leaf wave with Tais Nee (Aunt Stephanie) supervising.
Aleah braving the slide.
Aleah still smiling after the slide.
Yawm Yawm making water balloons for Ethan and Gabe so that they could play the water balloon games. Can't forget Ethan at the bottom of the picture looking fierce. Gabe eyeing his target.
Dlaab Phil (Uncle Philip) splashing around with Taylor and Adyen. After this shot he tossed Taylor into a backward flip. Hope they didn't get in trouble. Nice hair Dlaab Phil.
Ethan sounding off after a safe landing.
Taylor and Ethan getting doust with water.Here are pictures from another time we took the girls fishing. We caught a ton of fish. This is a picture of Taylor with the grubs. An important ingredient to catching a ton of fish! Just a funny video from our fishing trip.

Amazing Weekend: MMA & UFC

(Who is this guy? For the non MMA-Mixed Martial Art fan, read on and you'll find out.)

Just to clarify, it was an amazing weekend for Kong and his older brother Cheng.

Cheng, Logan and Julia arrived at our house on Friday night. Saturday the three of them, Kong, Taylor and Ayden went to the Science Museum to visit the Star War exhibit. They had a great time at the Omini Theatre, meeting the characters and seeing all of the Star War artifacts. After the exhausting day they made their way to Mickey's diner (an actual box car diner). It was a nice experience for everyone. I did not join the weekend festivities because I was at my LSAT class. That's right, I said LSAT.

The day was topped off with the UFC 87 fight which actually took place at the Target Center. The guys decided that for the seats they could get they would have a better view watching it on Pay Per View. It was better that way. Kong and Cheng had the evening all planned out; A gazillion wings from Buffalo Wild Wings, beer and a tub of celery sticks and Blue Cheese. The fights were amazing. The guys were so bummed that Roger Heurta, a local Mix Martial artist who went to school at Augsburg College here in the Twin Cities lost his fight. They went on and on about what an amazing martial artist Heurta is and the adversities he had to over come. He was abandoned as a child, hustled on the streets to feed himself, and joined a gang early on in life to survive. Just an amazing story. Anyway, it was fun to see all of the stars and athletes from other sports at the area. When the cameras panned over to "Donna" from That 70's Show, we were all like, "What's she doing there?"

Our plan for Sunday was to have Dim Sum at Mai Village. As we made our way to brunch I realized I lost Kong and Cheng who were driving behind me. I waited in the restaurant parking lot with the kids thinking they were getting gas. About 10 minutes later the guys pulled in, rolled down their window and shouted, "We just met Roger Huerta!" They sounded like two excited school girls. Apparently, as we drove down a local road close to our house they spotted someone who had similar tattoos as Huerta. They didn't want to miss the chance to meet him so they whipped a U turn in the middle of the street, Kong jumped out of the car, Cheng double parked and they ran to confirm if it was him.

It turns out it was Huerta and he was stepping out (probably to have brunch) with no one else but Laura Prepon (Donna) from That 70's Show. They had a conversation with Huerta who was so apologetic that he let down his fans. He was kind, gracious, smart, articulate and so appreciative of his fans. It's funny because when they realized it was Donna standing next to Huerta, Kong said, "Hey, aren't you that girl from, um...um..." and Laura sweetly said, "Yeah, I am." They were so star struck by Huert that they completely ignored this attrative and tall figure standing next to them.

It was an amazing chance meeting. They guys could hardly focus during brunch. For anyone who knows the Hers, there is nothing that stands between them and their food. Kong and Cheng couldn't get over that they didn't take a picture to capture the moment. They rationalized and rationalized until they came to the conclusion that it was for the best that they didn't. After losing the fight to become the number one contender for the belt, the most respectful thing they could do was not hassle him for a photo when he's feeling down.

For Kong and Cheng this could not have been a more perfect weekend.

The kids with Darth Vader.

The kids with a storm trooper. That's what you call them, right?

Cheng, the kids and I think that's Chewy.

Jumping on the trampoline after returning from the Science Museum.Dinner after swimming. Yum - brats, hamburger and fruit.