Gratitude IMHO

I'd like to end the year 2014 on a positive uplifting note. No matter how bad things can be in our lives, and it can get pretty hard sometimes, there are always things we can be thankful for. Gratitude is the best attitude to bring us through difficulties.

This may not be a fancy picture but it simply shows what I am so thankful for this past year.

1. Our Public Library:
Yes I cannot say enough of how awesome my public library is. I saved hundreds of dollars plus bookshelf space at home by borrowing books from the library.  I borrowed 155 books just this year alone. Which leads me to..

1.5. Kindle:
The rest of the books I read were Kindle ebooks on my iPad.What a wonderful space saver- so handy when I'm traveling.

2.  Starbucks:
Did you know that when you get those free rewards on your gold card that you can get a drink, pastry OR sandwich for free?!?! I did NOT know that! And here I am ordering a "venti" hot chocolate because I wanted to spend the most money on an item. So I ordered the new turkey stuffing panini and it was not bad.. not bad at all.. for free that is!

3. Lemon Bars and Chocolate Chip cookies:
Homemade dessert pastries.. I have no will power over them. My friend, Diane, made these lemon bars "at the last minute, on a whim" for a school bake sale and I just loved them so much that I bought 7 pieces. That's 7 bucks baby! And my sister's homemade chocolate chip cookies are to die for. Just the right amount of chocolate chewy gewy goodness. Oh so heavenly!

4. My KHA Students:

Out of this graduating class, I had taught 12 of these students five years ago

I think it's the mother in me that I have a love for my former students. To remember how they were when I taught them and who they have become now. It's bittersweet to see my former third graders as graduating 8th graders this year. I am proud to see how they have grown up to be beautiful and handsome young men and women, who are continually respectful (at least in front of me). I'm proud of their accomplishments academically, athletically and spiritually. I've been enjoying teaching Yearbook class this year, teaching three of these former students.

5. Friends:
I don't know about you but I don't like to ask for help much.  Funny that I love to help others but I just don't like asking for help for some reason. But when I'm in pain.. desperate excruciating debilitating pain.. I swallowed my desire to take care of myself and called for help. You see, I had sprained my muscles in my back, right next to the L5-S1 discs. I was in excruciating pain from every minor movement I made. So much pain that I got dizzy, my vision was blurring and I was in cold sweat holding my screams inside. I called my bff Helen and begged her to take me to the ER. I was that desperate. And she quickly came with back up. My friend Tony (also Emily's band teacher and our school's music teacher) came with Helen. He prayed over me and all of a sudden, I'm not kidding you, I was able to walk to the phone to call the advice nurse. The power of prayer is awesome! Well to make a long story short .. the news of me being hurt spread throughout the school and I received many texts and emails throughout the day with encouragement and prayers. I truly felt so loved and cared for from afar. I was in such a horrible state and wanted to die from the pain. Actually I really wanted an epidural! Praise God that Helen stayed with me, took me to the doctors, and made sure I was settled at home before she went back to work. She even did my dishes for me. True friends do your chores for you!

Another amazing friend is our friend Stanley. He is what I call a "God-given" friend. I first met Stanley back when I was attending church in Oakland when I was in my 20's. And Matthew met Stanley through me when we were dating. Little did we know that Stanley "knew" Matthew way back when he was nine years old! You see, during Sunday School class, Stanley and his classmates each drew a picture of a missionary family that the church was supporting. They posted the picture on their missionary wall and prayed for this family during that the school year. Guess who Stanley's missionary family was? It was Matthew's family, who were missionaries in the Philippines at that time. Little did each of them know that they would eventually meet and become friends. Almost 40 years after Stanley drew this picture, his former Sunday School teacher gave it to him last month and he in turn gives it to us this week. What a small small world! God had His hand on our friendship starting at the very young age of 9, even though we didn't meet until several decades later!
 (It's like that story in the news of the little boy who wrote a letter and sent an Operation Christmas Child Box to a child in the Philippines and 15 years later he connects with the little girl (now a young woman) that received his box and now they are married! Who knew?!?!)

There is nothing left to chance in life. Everything happens for a reason. I am thankful that we have a God that loves us so much that He places these very special people in my life.

As we look forward to a brand new year, my prayer for you is that you see many blessings, that you stop and 'smell the roses' and know that He loves you.

Happy 2015!

2014 Messenger

Volume 21 Issue 1 2014

We are thankful to God for you: family, friends and faithful readers of my crazy ramblings of food, fun, friends and family. We hope that you can make time to reflect on the true meaning of this season: CHRISTmas. Through the hustle and bustle of life, we truly treasure the peaceful times. Christ gives us His gift, "I am leaving you with a gift - a peace of mind and heart! And the peace I give isn't fragile like the peace the world gives." John 14:27

May the upcoming new year be filled with "peaceful" moments!

Matt, Cez, Emily & Hannah

Visiting Seattle Space Needle for the first time

Bonus Stats:
How many members in Matt’s clan are under the age of 18? 13 out of 30

The longest book Cezanne read this year? 725 pages

How many nail designs did Emily create herself this year on her fingers? 33

How many squishes did Hannah make herself? 69

EMILY (14 yrs)
Emily is a diligent and hard worker in all that she does. Her strength is in academics, where she ribboned at the the ACSI Math Olympics and was also selected to participate in the Honor Guard (reserved for the top students) during 7th grade. This year in 8th grade she is taking ASL (American Sign Language) as well as US History, Physical Science, and Algebra. I can officially say with humility that my daughter is now smarter than me. I have no clue what she is learning and could not help her in any of those subjects. It’s way over my head unfortunately. That’s what happens when you teach 3rd grade for so long.  My mind stops there!

We are also proud that Emily steps out of her comfort zone to do new things, things that neither of her parents have ever done! In 7th grade she decided to try out for basketball and ended up with the Rookie Defensive MVP award. This year she ran for student body Vice President and delivered a rousing campaign speech. She was a little heartbroken when she lost, but in our hearts we knew that it did not diminish her accomplishments at all.

This year's 8th grade Honor Guard Attendants at Veteran's Day Chapel

Immediately after the ceremony of the flags, Emily jumped right into the band to perform.

Emily loves expressing her creative side. She designed a Bible verse poster that was selected to be printed and posted at school. She also enjoys coming up with new nail art designs and learning about hair braiding and other hair styling techniques. With her busy schedule (band before school, basketball/homework after school), our backyard birds have been a little neglected this year, but Emily still loves her wild birds. One of her highlights was visiting a wild bird sanctuary just outside of Vancouver, BC, where she was so happy to hand feed Sandhill Cranes.

Emily and a wild Sandhill crane

Working hard at the Fall Family Festival to raise money for her Washington DC trip

HANNAH (11 yrs)
Hannah had a very happy 4th grade year at KHA (no anxiety attacks) and now is in a 4/5 combo with the same teacher she had last year. The majority of her friends are still in her class and she enjoys spending time with everyone. She is my social butterfly. Emily can be happy with one friend... Hannah needs a bunch!

Best friends with her sister

She also changes her interests as often as the weather changes. Everything I wrote about in last year's Messenger, she is no longer interested in. Currently she is into squishes and making "youtube" videos talking about her squishies and also how to make them. (A squishy is a decorative foam sculpture like a stress ball but cute-looking. The squishier and cuter the better.) She is very creative and loves to create her own special squishes to ‘sell,’ complete with custom made tags and cellophane packaging. Her videos are always addressed to her viewers, asking them to click like, subscribe, follow, etc... but none of the videos are actually uploaded to youtube.

Checking out a Squishy store in SF

While Hannah is our talker and loves telling us about her day in detail, she is not a performer (despite her fake youtube channel). We were proud of her taking part in the ACSI Speech Meet, something that was very difficult for her to do. We are very thankful that her separation anxiety has improved greatly, but she's been experiencing performance anxiety this year related to all different kinds of school activities, and not necessarily being in front of people. We would appreciate your prayers as we seek out therapy to help her.

MATT
My husband has had a very busy year at work. He has been going to different locations so I never know where he's coming home from each day.. He is all over the Bay Area and I am just thankful that he comes home for dinner every night. Despite the crazy workload, he is happy to work with a good group of people and to have a stable and satisfying job.

Snowboarding with Owen at Northstar

When work isn't too crazy, Matthew enjoys playing basketball, although he hurt his knee and had to take a break (like wife like husband). He's been faithfully leading a men's bible study, playing guitar and working the audio and graphics at church (not all at the same time), and also helping teach Hannah's 5th/6th grade Sunday school. During the winter his favorite activity is snowboarding, and his favorite indoor activity is Clash of Clans and whatever other iPad games he plays. Let's just say the iPad is attached to his hands when he comes home.

High school reunion pre-gathering with the guys

Celebrating his youngest cousin, Jonathan's high school graduation from King's Academy

CEZANNE
I am amazed on how fast this year went by. The busyness never ended and I have felt at many times pulled apart in numerous directions to the point it was affecting my health. But God is gracious and merciful. He has allowed me to continue to do what I enjoy. Like last year, I oversee the parent group at our school, which runs many of the all-school fundraising projects. I also teach Yearbook class, and substitute teach when needed.

Besides the all-school fundraisers, I'm also involved with 8th grade fundraising for Emily's Washington DC trip in May. In September/October I was juggling 5 projects at the same time! It got a little bit crazy! (Multi-tasking was an understatement)

Mother's Day portrait at church

The summer was filled with creating meaningful memories, whether it was reconnecting with old high school friends, entertaining a friend's son visiting America for the first time, or celebrating a best friend's 50th. I have realized that time with friends and family are irreplaceable and much more satisfying then buying new things for myself or the house.

Cezanne's unofficial 30th high school reunion with old old friends.. yes we go w-a-y back!

Cezanne's girls accountability group: celebrating Susana's 5-0 at the happiest place on earth

And squeezing in a once in a lifetime opportunity to be in the audience of the show, "The Doctors"

Ziplining.. YES I did it for the very first time and it was not that bad!

I am still involved in Women's Ministries at church with the exception of taking a break in leading a Bible study. I had to drop something in order to stay sane. But I have to say that the busier I got the more I needed to de-stress. So I read. This year I read over 220 books (mostly YA fiction). That is the most I have ever read in one year.

Celebrating Cezanne's nephew, Joshua's 8th grade graduation from King's Academy

HIGHLIGHTS:
We had the privilege of spending time with a friend's son from Hong Kong that had never been to the United States before. We showed Marcus what makes America (specifically California) so wonderful: riding the roller coasters at the Boardwalk; exploring Monterey Bay Aquarium; whale watching in Monterey Bay; zipling through the redwoods at Mt. Hermon; and eating at an organic farm in Carmel.

Marcus buried by the girls and Shawna at the beach.

We were honored to be invited to three weddings this year... all of which had a photo booth
 for their guests!

Mel & David Fong 5-24-14

Josephine & Henry Ow 7-5-14

Kate & James Rennie 11-7-14

In August we took a quick trip down south to visit some of our friend's kids who were starting college. We also enjoyed a visit to Universal Studios.

In June we went to Vancouver, BC to visit Matthew's new second cousins, twin boys, Tate and Bryce who are his cousin Stacy and her husband Terry's boys. Love our growing extended family!

The boys sure look like Ma boys.. takes after their mother's side!

We'd love to keep in touch with you and hear how you are doing. Please comment below or contact Matthew on Facebook.

 Merry Christmas to you and your family!

Ming Who?

I am all for a great meal! I'm all for even a good meal! As long as it wasn't cooked by me I am there! So when my good friend Lisa had an extra ticket to a 'food' event she thought of me!

Lisa: "Hey Cez, are you free Weds night?"
Me: "You mean like in two days from now?"
Lisa: "Well .. yeah."
Me: "Ummm yes... (hesitantly) Ah.. why?"
Lisa: "I wanted to invite you to a dinner that I bought a table for and I had an extra ticket so I thought you'd like to come eat with me. It'll be fun. We'll try all different dishes from different chefs."
Me: "Really? Wow that sounds great! Where is it going to be at?"
Lisa: "Michael Mina's Restaurant at Levi's Stadium"
Me: "Levi Stadium? I've never been and have been dying to go. Yes! I am free!" (of course I did not check with my husband yet.. bad wife)
Lisa: "Great! Well it's a fundraiser for a great cause."
Me: "Oh.. Should I bring my checkbook?"
Lisa: "Oh no.. I got you covered. Just come eat and have fun!"

And so I did!

I have never sat at a table with this much silverware and glassware for just one person!

In fact, I had a lot of fun! It was an experience to remember!

The event was a fundraiser for Family Reach, a national organization which has been helping families with a child or parent afflicted with cancer deal with the overwhelming financial burden of living life with significant out-of-pocket medical expenses. Family Reach helps families sustain themselves financially when one parent has to quit their job to care of their sick child; or help pay for transportation to and from the hospital for treatments; to help cover car payments, mortgages, the gas and electric bill and other everyday expenses that they now may have trouble paying due to this horrible devastating illness that has invaded their family.

One dedicated ambassador for Family Reach is Ming Tsai, a renowned chef and Food Network personality with his own cooking show. He gathers fellow cooking colleagues to host "Cooking Live with Chef Ming Tsai and Friends" all around the nation.

Michael Mina welcoming us to his restaurant.

There were five chefs that came to demo their signature dish and then serve it to you along with their chosen wine. The event was hosted in Michael Mina's Bourbon Steak Restaurant at the Levi's Stadium. Apparently, it is not 'easy' to come eat at this restaurant during a Niner game. You need to prepay to come eat here. It's an "all you can eat" buffet  but it has a hefty price tag: $500 per meal during the game or $10,000 for 10 games.

But before dinner there was a cocktail hour... where five delicious appetizers created by Ming were served to us. I was too busy eating to take pictures nor to remember their fancy names but it was a flattened suimai, a raw scallop, tempura lobster, uni, and a curry something. I tried everything except the scallop and uni which were served uncooked. I am so not a raw sushi eater.

During cocktail hour the numerous TV screens flashed all their event sponsors acknowledging them and above is Lisa's name (well.. her husband's name) and Friends.. that's me!

I was a part of a table of 8 with Lisa, her friends and her daughter Danika and her friend. Lisa's husband Jay was in Spain on business. Lucky moi!

My friend Lisa is to the right of me, her daughter, Danika is seated on the right side front.

The first dish was by Ming Tsai which was a "New Style Faroe Islands Salmon Sashimi, Madras Curry Oil, Green Papaya Salad and Crispy Rice". Now I don't eat raw sushi and sashimi is exactly that! But I did not want to pass up the opportunity where Ming Tsai was cooking for me. I mean it's rude to not even try the dish right? So I did and it was delicious. Plus it was served with a TY KU Sake Black from Nara, Japan. I have never tried sake but it was quite light and flavorful. Much taster than any of the wines I had that night. But of course I'm not into wines, white nor red.

The sashimi wasn't entirely raw.. the warm curry oil blanched it a little and with the papaya and crispy rice it was quite flavorful. Plus the salmon was tenderized to a very thin piece.

Here is Michael Mina preparing the second dish.

The TV screens were a much better view that the real thing.

Michael Mina made his signature Brandt Farm Short Rib with Horseradish Potato, Oxtail Jam, Bacon & Marrow. It was served with a 2009 Biagi Family Cabernet.

The short rib, on a slice of toasted bread, looked small but it was quite filling.

The third dish was from the renowned chef of The Slanted Door located in the Ferry Building in SF, Charles Phan. He has quite a few restaurants located in SF.

His dish was Vung Tau Fisherman's Stew with Vietnamese Mint. The tomato base was simmered for a day or two. It was served with a 2012 Pont de Chevalier Sauvignon Blanc.

Instead of stewing the seafood together with the broth, the broth was poured over the seafood so the seafood wouldn't get over cooked. I thoroughly enjoyed this one especially it had some Asian flavor to it.

His staff assembled each dish proportionally the same for each guest.

The fourth dish was from a French chef, Dominique Crenn who owns Atelier Crenn in SF.

She definitely was French since she had a heavy French accent when speaking.

This dish was Duck Egg, Liver Mousse, Buckwheat and Cherry Blossom served with a ZD Wines 2012 Pinot Noir, Carnernos.

I have to admit that this was my least favorite dish. I'm really not into French food.

Last was pastry chef Bill Corbett, who used to be the executive pastry chef at Michael Mina and now is at Absinthe Brasserie & Bar, SF. He created Roasted White Chocolate Cream, Raspberries, Cocoa Nib & Hibiscus.

This, too, was just alright.

I had my eye on the cookie bar Michale Mina's pastry chef set up for us. We were so full that we got take-out boxes to fill with these little bits of heaven!

The macaroons and caramel rolls were my favorite but everything was so delish!

Here we are with Ming Tsai... now a personal friend of my friend Lisa.

(L-R): Lisa, Ming, Danika and Lisa's family friend , Mike

Disbursed between the dishes were testimonies of families that had been greatly impacted by the Family Reach organization. It just emphasizes the importance of  coming together to help others in their time of need.

www.familyreach.org

14

We celebrated Emily's 14th birthday with movie, pizza and pottery.

We watched Dolphin Tale 2

The theater was empty for us!

Love the Century Theaters near our house

So was the pizza place.

Round Table Pizza

But not the pottery place where we squeezed 6 gals onto one table so they can stay together.

Color Me Mine

She cut her cake at her aunt and uncle's house to celebrate with her cousins too!

Can you guess what kind of decor she had on her cake?

Last First Day of School

Emily's last "first day of school" at KHA. My 8th grader. Where has the time gone?

Emily and Hannah (5th grader)

8th grade class line up

It wasn't too long ago that she started Kindergarten at KHA...Oh some nine years ago..

First day of Kindergarten for Emily and Hannah was still home with me

Kindergarten line up..

Sadly over half of her classmates in this Kinder class left to attend other schools. Sigh.. nothing lasts forever!