Iggy's Purr Sounds Like a Chirping Bird

Good morning blogoverse,

I think it's very cute that my mom and I share a blog - don't you?

I woke up this morning feeling very under the weather (it's been growing steadily all weekend and culminated this unfortunate morning). I couldn't make it to my 8 am lecture but I am determined to make it to my 9:55 Management and Human Resources class.

I have 3 exams this week, a paper due and a French sketch to memorize and perform. Eesh. BUT! After that's all finished I get to drive home with B and have a nice relaxing weekend at home - how nice is that? I'm looking forward to shnuggying with MiMi and mom the most.

I would love to bring both of the cats home (oh how they hate to be apart) but I don't think the weekend is long enough to warrant the stress that comes along with car-traveling with two cats. I will bring Iggy home so he can meet the family and Baby Zelda.

Hopefully our next post will be full of photographs of the family (and the pets) all together. For now, here's a photo of B and I with the cats on a lazy Sunday.

tribute to childrens shows/ captain kangaroo

This show has nothing to do with Mimi or Jie Jie but it is the best. I watched it for most of my childhood and I loved picture pages. It was a special little segment hosted by Bill Cosby. I think that you could get your free picture pages books from a gas station or a local big boy.

Blog Take-Over

Evening readers,

Jiej, here. I've changed the layout of Ma's blog because the old one was giving me a headache. How does it look? I much prefer it.

Ma's been hassling to update with photos of my adorable new kitten, Iggy. He and Baby Django (the old, blue one) get along swimmingly.

Recently, I've been working on renovating my apartment in downtown Madison, Wisconsin. I live on the fourth floor of a ridiculously old apartment building that suits me and my two cats well (though it's often full of hair of all breeds and species). I'm saving up for a sheepskin rug, a see-through mod coffee table and a more convenient way to store my stacks and stacks of books. I've included an aerial view of my apartment, as well. Please pardon my mess, I am a college student after all. Speaking of which, I should be practicing translating middle English right now - but I have all night, hey!

Though I have not the funds, time or energy to dress myself these days (right now I'm dressed in my oh-so-fashionable paint-splattered over-sized flannel and cotton shorts) - I have recently stumbled upon some amazing websites that you all may enjoy:

www.renttherunway.com --- this one offers a service where you can rent runway dresses for special occasions! Or just a night on the town (if you have the means). For anywhere from $50-$200 they will send you (two sizes!) of a gown along with a package in which to send it back. You love it, you wear it and you send it back (they take care of the dry cleaning). Ingenious!

www.giltfuse.com --- signing up for this one gives you access to the best deals out there. Each day they offer a new sale of amazing shoes, bags, clothing and accessories and a MAJORLY reduced price. Completely legal, too. The only catch is: things go fast so you have to be ready as soon as the sale opens up, with credit card in hand!

Bill recently invested in the new MacBook Pro and all of the accouterments to go with it. Logic Studio (for music recording), an iPod Nano, iWork, One-to-One, etc. Though the final price nearly made him wet his pants, the boyish grin on his face since Friday proved it well worth the monetary set back. We've been working on exchanging music which has introduced me to all sorts of cool things that I hadn't been exposed to before (old Flaming Lips albums and gangSTAR).

Recently, though, I've been indulging in Andrew Bird's Bowl of Fire -- an old-timey sound that makes me all cozy whether I'm cooking, cleaning or working. Please look into it, it's phenomenal.

I must be off, Geoffrey Chaucer is calling my name.

Be good,

Jiej

The return of Sade

When JieJie was little, I pretty much brainwashed her to listen to what ever I wanted her to listen to.

For years I have been a Sade fan not just for her vocal style, but also for her restraint and elegant style.
Just in time for Valentines Day, Sade has returned with a new album(after 10 years away).
Paulina used to love listening to Sade. I told Mimi stories of Jiej listening to and singing Sade and she wanted to see her , so I went on you tube and showed her a particular video that Jiej loved with Sade as a mermaid. Well Mimi is hooked and asks to listen to Sade all of the time.
The subject matter may not be the most childlike but is sure beats kidzbop 179where little kids sing along to beyonce and miley cyrus.

Chinese New Year and Valentines

I feel at times that there is a storm cloud hanging over my head.
I don't know if it is fate or karma, but it is gosh darn annoying.

We have planned several events in the past year.2009 Chinese New Year was canceled when dad passed away, This year I planned a brunch with a special trip to the Chinese Ballet "Shen Yun" with some of Mimi's "little sisters" , my father in law passed away.

This past weekend was to be our annual Chinese New Year party, travel group reunion.
Mimi was at Annabel's playing and was brought home because she wasn't feeling well.

She had a temp of 104 and she was so lethargic, I could barley keep her conscious enough to get some Motrin in her.
She slept for three days. Party, postponed, school valentine party, missed.

She and I put together her "Wizards of Waverly Place" valentines, and I cut up about 5 lbs of fruit for a project I volunteered to help with at school.

We then assembled Chinese New Year treat bags for Chinese school.

We were thrilled to have Mimi's teacher unexpectedly deliver a stack of valentines and treats for her classmates.
She also got a get well, valentine bear with homemade cupcakes from her loyal friend Annabel.

On the bright side, all of our travel group can attend on March 6. It will be after the official Chinese New Year, but I am sure it will be great. I must remain optimistic.

I let my children watch tv

Here is another salute to childrens shows past and present.
Jie Jie loved a show called "The Adventures of Pete and Pete" and here is an example of what went on with Iggy and his daughter.
Yes, Iggy pop, dancing with his daughter at the school dance.... soooo cooollllll

tribute to childrens shows

JieJie had some favorite shows that I had to tolerate.
All in all she had great taste, and this is a classic that I often refer to in my day to day retoric.
It is a show called rugrats. It is the chronicle of some babies with really inept parents.