chuseok POTLUCK

here you are....

at your first chuseok POTLUCK at the seoul american elementary school (saes). they celebrate this during september and it is a big event since it is the korean thanksgiving. on chuseok day itself the offices and schools are closed.

ms herman briefing the class about the event and acknowledging the parents presence.

there's my rhett in checkered shorts.

i just love that hand seat. i think everyone likes it.

we had all sorts of food. i made eggroll (vegetable lumpia) which was a soldout. okey it was frozen from the grocery and i fried it. hey, it was still a popular item with the sweet chili sauce. every chuseok a korean family has 3 fruits in their home (apple, pears and persimmon) to celebrate the tradition.

we also had some korean desserts, chapchae (glass noodles), etc.

rhett with his classmate sarah. i was proud of him that he was able to pick his own food with no assistance. on occasions like these you will find me occupied with assisting the guests and making sure the food are replenished. i hardly eat during these events.

one of rhett's classmate. brian hardly speaks english and is adjusting to his 99% english speaking classmates. he is korean and did not  eat lunch at the cafeteria the first two weeks in school.

ms. herman (homeroom teacher) and a student in hanbok traditional dress complete with headgear. some of the girls came dressed in hanbok. they all look so pretty! this material is made of silk and is very delicate (and expensive!)

happy chuseok everyone!

happy mother's day!

this year's mother's day was may 9, 2010 (sunday). i knew rhett had something for me. he was making a project at school for the special day. all he could offer was "mom, it's a secret!" he gave me a pretty package friday after school. but i promise to open it a few days later on mother's day.

sunday mother's day morning came and rhett came to my bedroom pretty excited. he had with him the package and was convincing me to open the present. i had to read the creative greeting card first. it had no message inside the text body but the envelope said it all -  "mom i love you" and the coloring was all his work.

inside the package was a beautiful jewelry box. it was recycled from a lozenges tin can. he glued felt paper and designed it with assorted shells on top. it has his photo and "happy mother's day" when you open it. oh it was so sweet!

and wait... more surprises - he made me breakfast with eggs, crispy bacon and french bread. with a big help from his daddy. i was truly impressed. at age 5, he was certainly more aware of the grown up world. quite a difference from last year if i am allowed to say. this must have been those monumental stages.

with a full tummy and a wide smile i was just plain elated. this was all his idea and i knew a cake was in the making. he told me that he has a surprise cake. he wanted to make a red velvet cake - my fave. he solicited his dad's help and gave him a headsup a few days.

yummy red velvet cake by the 2 men in my life - rich and rhett.

i was happy - right? i felt appreciated and flattered. too cute and very pampered. one would wish it was mother's day everyday. rich had more surprises in store. he cooked scallops. i dig 'em.  very temperamental ingredient that requires searing.

indeed it was a very special day to feel celebrated. thank you to my two luvs! i wuv u too!!

Facebook 5th Birthday Greetings for Rhett

Duchesne Tolaram-Crawford: okay that was his birthday party last weekend. today is his actual 5th birthday. happy birthday son! to the most loving, funny, witty and sweet boy in my life - i wish you the best.

April 29 at 3:38am · Bettina Bonnevie Obias, Gemma Lagatic- Reyes and Lizzie Golden like this..Fidz Castro Happy Birthday!

April 29 at 5:14am · .Lizzie Golden happy birhday rhett :)

April 29 at 5:38am · .Maie Tlrm Hey Rhett! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

April 29 at 7:16am · .Marissa Wojtysiak Tell my little nephew happy birthday and that I love him please!!! =) P.S. I can't wait to see all of you this summer!!

April 29 at 10:41am · .Manette V. Thornsberry happy, happy birthday rhett!!!

April 29 at 10:47am · .Margarita Peñas happy bday rhett!!!

April 29 at 10:58am · .Ana Leilani Corpuz Duchesne belated happy birthday to Rhett. Will write you one of these days. Am out of circulation lately. Regards.

May 1 at 6:14am · .Bettina Bonnevie Obias Belated Happy Birthday, to prince Rhett! May Mommy make his dream come true. ;D

san diego-manila flight

we were bound for manila (philippines) from san diego last february 2010. rhett's grandfather (ramon tolaram) passed away in naga city, philippines at 78 years old. we were on our way to pay our last respects.

those electric walkway sure comes in handy after a long flight specially when you are catching the connecting flight and with heavy luggages. rhett enjoys this ride. stay on the right son! the left is the passing invisible lane.

the monster trucks came with us. it is  along flight to asia and one has to find ways for entertainment.

 it didn't take long to find out that the audio headphones serve double purpose. a new prop for laughter.

 

what about this way? is that a better profile?

 actually mama can do it too. here is moi with the morning look. we lose track of the time there with those time changes. rhett took this shot.

now can you beat this?

the straw found a spot.

instant noodles was part of the international flight menu. yipee!

Bing Crosby Restaurant

so i continue to chronicle the life of rhett who is now five years old. my co-worker crystal last day was fast approaching so we all decided to hangout. she has a million of reasons not to go - kids, hubby, budget, etc. and once again i had to emphasize that it is pretty significant to have a "me" time to recharge and take a break from what is pulling us in all directions.

she decided it was time for some happy hour. we went to bing crosby restaurant in mission valley (san diego).

http://www.bingcrosbysrestaurant.com/

this was a journey to the past with their interior design reminiscent of the glorious bing crosby and frank sinatra days.

we went for the finger foods. the main dining was still closed. it had a fairly spacious dining area. rhett was having a grand time eating the calamari. i don't halfway remember if i had martini or margarita. now you know why i had no memory. ha ahah.

here's rhett washing his hands and i always have this fetish with unique sinks. this one happens to be umm contemporary style.

the best fun part of the night apart from the conversation where we totally lose ourselves in talk therapy about our husband's, career, etc. was actually silly things like playing with rainwater. oh the simple delights!

the Grand Canyon Experience Day 1

 

The Grand Canyon truly is a special place. Life abounds within the canyon, in the Colorado River, and even along the rims. Even humans have inhabited this area for at least the past couple thousand years.

 

The 277-mile-long Grand Canyon is more than a mile deep. One of the top tourist attractions in the U.S., this canyon has been carved by the Colorado River over the last 6 million years. Years of erosion have shaped the canyon’s steep walls, exposing its red-hued rocks.

 

Deciding where to go at the park Welcome Center.

 

 

The Railroad Express is a half-day tour. Step back in history and ride in a vintage train, operating between Williams, Arizona and the Grand Canyon.

Combine the Grand Canyon Railway and a Harvey car for a nostalgic journey. Your trip starts at the Grand Canyon and comes complete with strolling musicians, cowboys and a gunfight.

 

One of the tour bus stop. It was cold.

 

  An attempt to capture art in nature.

 

The Colorado River. I imagine it crosses several states.

 

The tour highlight was the sunset. It went like a flash and was worth watching.

 

Here is a glimpse of it. It was a spectacle and special moment to just sit and be one with this transformation.

 

This is my human blanket. Cuddly and warm.

 

Our first day at one of the Natural Wonders of the World with the best company – mom, Rhett and Theresa (friend).

The Grand Canyon Experience Day 2

am actually playing with windows live writer application and if it works better than blogging directly to the blogger. we shall see. this is rhett and his antics and happy memories when we were at the grand canyon in arizona last december 2009.

magnificent view and with the peace that surrounds the wall – we could not ask for more.

this was the perfect time to visit. non peak season with minimal visitors. yes it was freezing. but am not much for crowds unless i have to. and believe me during peak season it is bumper to bumper vehicle inside the park.

 

my high school friend – theresa daluro came with us. she was such an angel alternating the long drive with me and also keeping me awake. it was i think about 9-10 hours drive from san diego. the best time to drive if one has to is in the evening so the passengers can sleep.

and here’s my mom who brave the long drive, weather and heights. she’s panicky – you know.

we stayed in a hotel outside the park. there are lodging inside the park that is pricey but allows you to see the canyon view in your window. the walls changes color like magic. this is rhett and theresa having breakfast in bed and getting ready for a day of discovery.

mommy lily got some of this variety of souvenir stones. rhett likes playing with them.

the imax theatre is outside the park and pretty educational about the park without having to be be bored about history and dates.  i thought rhett may get overwhelmed with the gigantic screen that seem to put you in the exact wilderness like the canoeing part. oh well – he sat through it and made it.

and you know who took this photo, right? none other than my son – rhett. he always tells me to pose and how to move those hands. aww!