No, not for me.  Someone else.  Click here to find out.

Love love love it!

I have a confession to make.

I may stay at home with my child but I don’t do anything educational with her.  Sure, I may read to her a couple of times before going to bed, I might play with her for a few minutes in a day and okay, I might draw a sun for her when she asks and we will sing our ABC’s throughout the day (something she learned before 2yo) and we do chant our 123′s but that’s pretty much it.  Oh, with all the why’s that come out of growing toddlers, I do pause and answer her queries.  But again, that’s pretty much it.  And it’s sad to admit, but I rely (heavily!) on the tv to teach her a lot of the things that she knows now.  In the back of my mind, I’m able to justify myself because that’s how I grew up.  I know, however, it shouldn’t be this way because I am at home and I am available to her unlike my parents back in the day.  But it is what it is and this is my sad confession.

So imagine my surprise when, just as I was reading an article where one can get hair transplantation procedures explained, Erynne shows me this:

Whhhaaa?  When did she learn how to copy letters?  It might not be perfect but the mere fact that she was able to produce something to the best of her ability shocks and amazes me.  I had asked her 30 seconds earlier to copy her name just as I had written it, half expecting nonsense scribbles to be returned to me.  With her only having attended 2 days of preschool so far, it’s not like they could have covered writing all the alphabets in those 2 days.

My girl’s really growing.  And I should pay more attention.

one fine morning

She goes to Junior Gym now, 4 hours a day twice a week.  I feel funny calling it a preschool because really, it’s a place for play.  Add to the fact that Junior Gym isn’t a licensed “preschool”.  According to the teachers though, the program’s set up practically similar to preschool because they’re in a classroom setting for most of the day.  Whatever the case, Erynne loves it and got on so well with the other children the first hour she was there (I stuck around for a bit).  You would think, being the new girl, she would be somewhat shy since all the other kids already knew each other.  Not the case at all with my kid — when the other kids came trickling in, Erynne immediately went after them and asked if they wanted to play with her…like it was some kind of privilege or something.  Hahahaha!

Now that I don’t have Erynne for a few hours a day twice a week, I have to say the silence (and freedom!) has been nice.  I always thought I’d cry when it was time for Erynne to go to school but in all actuality, I am loving it.  Is that selfish?  I hope not.  This is exactly what the doctor ordered because I love my “me time.”  Only problem is, I just haven’t figured out what to do in my free time — seriously.  My first day on my own, I literally just drove around because I seriously didn’t know where to go.  I finally ended up at the bookstore but sadly, after an hour, I got antsy I left (I’m so used to being interrupted by Erynne while reading my magazines that I think I was “looking” for her).  It’ll take some time but I’ll get the hang of my free time soon, I’m sure.

PLAYERS: BUZZY ME | ALL THINGS ME | WINDING CREEK CIRCLE | CELLULITIC BLISS | YOUR BLOG

1. What is the closest green object? my bag sitting in the chair next to me.
2. If you were born the opposite sex, what would your parents name you? I’m not sure but I would love to be called Alexander.
3. Do you want to have kids? I’d like 2 or 3 more.  Doesn’t have to come out of me though.
4. What is the brightest color you’re wearing? My bright turquoise undies!
5. Who is the friend you have that you would never have expected to have? Liv – she’s way younger than me and yet, she’s more mature than I am!
6. Who do you hate the most right now? I’m trying to turn a new leaf – it’s all about love baby!
7. What kind of car do you want? A dark green Land Rover.
8. What is your favorite video game? None. They annoy me. Hubby’s been looking for a cheap 5.1 surround sound home theater speaker system so that he can better appreciate his games — I was very strict in saying no because he needs to keep his video games and that gaming noise on his computer… with his headphones on!
9. Do you like your dad? Of course.
10. Do you have any TV shows on DVD? No.
11. Are you wearing make-up? No.
12. Do you have a tattoo? No.
13. Have you ever broken a pinata? I think so.
14. What time is it right now? 12:47am.
15. Do you know how to draw? Yes but barely.
16. Who loves orange soda? Not I!
17. Who did you last IM? Van.
18. Do you work a lot of hours? The only time I’m not working is when I’m asleep.
19. Where were you in the last 24 hours? church, Chinese resto near home, grocery store
20. Who was the last person that called you? My dad.
21. Is there anything you regret? I try not to go there.
22. Do you know where your family name originated from? Yes.
23. Is there an animal that creeps you out? Ants, cockroaches – anything that crawls!
24. What is your favorite color ON A CAR? green!
25. Do you use digital or film cameras? Digital.
26. Do you own an iPod? Yes.
27. Have you ever been on a charter bus? Yes.
28. Do you like going to water parks? Yes.

Thank you for the award Jody.

The mechanics of the tag is below:

~ Put the logo on your blog. ~ Add a link to the person who awarded you. ~ Nominate 10 other blogs. ~ Add links to those blogs on yours. ~ Leave a message for your nominees on their blogs.

I’m sharing this with Jean, Arlene, Em, and Alpha.

My dad, who is back in town until after Christmas, is a big water bottle drinker.  I don’t think I’ve ever once seen him drink tap water here in California.  When he’s here, it’s bottled water or nothing at all (well, he’ll settle for a Sprite if he has to).  He’s allergic to California tap water because he claims the only fresh water out there is that of Alaska’s (such a snob, I know).  Then he read about that bottled water brouhaha the other week and how it was practically comparable to drinking tap water.  Because of this, he doesn’t quite know which brand to trust, if any at all.  I suggested to him that we should install a Living Water filter so that he could get his unlimited supply of fresh water without having to buy bottled water ever again.  According to the EcoQuest international website, installing the filter is easy and requires low maintenance plus it’s perfect for my dad because there is no cleaning involved!  He is slowly warming up to the idea.

Just wishing.

It’s past 9pm and I still have a crapload to do tonight.  I have about 6 pieces of homework that must be done by tonight.  Erynne’s lunch has to be fixed (I haven’t blogged about it but yes, she is now enrolled in a preschool/playgroup).  I have 2 loads of laundry that I really want to fold before I hit the bed.  Hubs needs an outfit ironed for tomorrow (I’ll do the rest tomorrow or Tuesday morning).  It’s Erynne’s turn for show and tell tomorrow so I have to make sure she’s bringing appropriate things to share (last I checked, she had her dad’s CAT6 cables in her show and tell box, the silly kid!).  I also have some paperwork to fill out for Erynne’s preschool (see, tomorrow is her first official day – last Friday was a trial and at the end of her 4-hour class, she wanted me to leave and pick her up after another 5 minutes hahaha!).  The list can go on.

I hate scrambling like this (but I love procrastinating).  What’s worse is that Erynne’s still awake and I need to get her into bed before I can do my chores.  Ugh.

PLAYERS: DIGISCRAPZ: CAPTURED MEMORIES | BECAUSE LIFE IS FUN | WINDING CREEK CIRCLE | CELLULITIC BLISS | YOUR BLOG

1. Last phone call you received? My cousin A.
2. Last text message? My friend O.
3. Do you hate your life? There’s always someone else who has it way worse.
4. Do you get mad easily? YES.
5. What is your biggest pet peeve? I can’t think of it right now even though I was just telling the husband about one a few hours ago.
6. Are you cold? Not right now.
7. Do any of your friends have kids? All of them do except one.
8. Do you know anyone that is pregnant right now? Plenty.
9. Who should pay on the first date? The guy.
10. How many years older than you are you willing to date? 4 to 5.
11. Do you have any friends? Not much but enough – some of the ones I have have been around for over 20 years.
12. Do you have any mean friends? Yes hehe.
13. What is the ugliest color to wear in your opinion? I don’t think there’s such a thing.  The uglier it is, the more attractive I think it is.
14. Have you ever liked someone who all your friends hate? Yes.
15. Have you ever felt like driving off a cliff, seriously? Yes.
16. Have you ever contemplated suicide? Yes.
17. Do you scratch your ears? Yes.
18. Who was the last person to hug you? The husband.
19. What brand are the pant/jeans you’re wearing right now? I’m wearing cutoff yoga pants.
20. How tall are you? 5?1.5? (hee, had to put in the .5, LOL!).

A tag from Liv from long, long ago .

~Start Copy~

Here are the Rules:

1. List the things that make you Happy and those that make you Sad.

2. Add your Blog to the list. Feel free to add all your other Blogs.

3. Tag other online friends you know.Toni’s Attachments, Cecile2’s-Small and Simple Things, Lara’s Pinay dot US, Lara’s My Blog Entry, Lara’s Byaheng Pinay, Living A’ La Mode, Bits and Pieces, My Life in this Wonderful World, My Online World, Ozzy’s Mom, Me,Myself+2, Kidd Designs, Fun|Fierce|Fabulous, Eds Mommy Life, Just Me.. Eds, My Precious Niche, I Am Mommy, All About The Memories, Enchanted Play, Just My Scrap, My life is Peachy , Celebrating life , belly, baby and beyond, All Things Me, Feels Like Home, A Day of Play, Because Life is Fun, Tints of My Heart, My BIG Picture, Tailgater Network, Merger Guru, Beauty and Madness WordPress, Beauty and Madness, Feeding my Baby, A Taste of Married Life, Underneath It All, Cellulitic Bliss, YOUR BLOG

What Makes Me Happy?

~ Erynne

~ RICE!

~ traveling

~ losing weight

~ money

~ authentic Chinese food

~ white cake with whipped frosting

~ great conversations with my husband

~ accomplishing goals

~ funky colored shoes

~ fabulous haircuts

~ skilled hairstylists who really listen

~ time spent with good friends

~ reminiscing and laughing about the past

~ family visits/get togethers

~ flowers from my husband just because

~ Sunday visits to church

~ great chic lit reads

~ bookstores

~ the beach

~ being a SAHM

~ staying in pretty hotels

What Makes Me Sad?

~ starving children

~ sick children

~ when Erynne gets sick

~ when anyone in my family is sad

~ when anyone in my family is sick

~ when the hubs and I can’t see eye to eye

~ when I’ve hurt someone’s feelings and I didn’t mean to

~ my dad returned the laptop that I bought for him back in August because apparently, my cousin’s Dell Inspiron is better.  OUCH!

(This 2nd part was really hard for me because I’m really not a very sad person at all).

I’m now tagging Eper, aBIGwhale, highblood, Aiza, pinkglamour, and Jenny.