My little man turns ONE

The little man had his milestone 1st birthday last month, and seeing what a blast he had (despite his initial shyness with a crowd of people he didn't know) was worth all the time, energy and occasional bouts of stress that went into the planning.  I'm still waiting for pictures from the big day but I do have one from the dohljabi that never fails to put a smile on my face when I see it:



No pressue buddy...this only determines the course for the rest of your life.



It's been a LONG time

...since my last post.  Juggling work, family, baby, friends, and miscellaenous other stuff (like trying to maintain a tiny fragment of a social life), really eats away at the time I planned to allocate to updating this blog.  I can't believe the July's ending soon - summer is halfway over already (and so is 2011!)

One of my biggest challenges in blogging is re-learning how to write in a open and engaging way, especially given that the bulk of any writing in the last several years has been very cut-and-dry stuff like emails and application review comments.  I hope that this blog will help me develop a stronger writing style which infuses more of my own personality within its contents!

Moving onto another topic, I've belatedly started planning A's first birthday party (called the dohl), which is a pretty significant event in korean culture.  I like to call it "my second wedding," as it entails just as much planning and stress (many moms say even more).  With the event less than 2 months away and nothing really done, I've got a ton of stuff to do.  More details on dohl planning in future posts!

2 month update

At the beginning of the year, one of my resolutions was to be more consistent at writing blogs.  I've failed somewhat miserably at this.  Though I tried justifiying this because of the pregnancy and being a first-time mom, they aren't the best excuses because I see lots of pregnant and/or FTMs that somehow find the time to update their blogs.  These women must either have clones of themselves or not sleep more than 2 hours a day. 

Every year around this time, I say the same thing - "I can't believe the year's almost over!"  What's really scary is that time seems to go faster on a daily basis.  I clearly remember writing my first blog post  back in September 2009 while traveling for recruiting trips, and now it's already been over a year since then.  Ever seen the episode of "Twilight Zone" where a man finds a stopwatch that stops time?  I need one of those.

November has flown by and Aaron's grown tremendously.  He's almost double his birthweight - currently at 10 lbs. 11 oz.  Granted, he was a tiny baby...but still!  I'm a little sad that he's no longer the wee little newborn swimming in his baby clothes.  My eyes got a little watery as I put away some of the clothes that no longer fit him because he's outgrown them. 

I'm returing to work in less than 2 weeks, and each day my heart aches a little more thinking about it.  The first few weeks of motherhood, I was itching to get back to my old life and return to work, craving that sense of normalcy and the "good old days" because I was so tired and overwhelmed.  I missed the silence of our house pre-baby, and the prospect of a solid 8 (or more) hours of sleep after a long day of work.  How things have changed...how I've changed!  I don't mind getting up at 3AM to the sounds of Aaron's cries for food.  Squeezing in a shower during naptime and wearing the same spit-up stained clothes for days on end isn't so bad either.  Hanging out at home amusing Aaron with faces and babytalk isn't boring - the smiles they bring forth are worth it. 

I've always feared that I was born without a maternal bone in my body, and the first month of motherhood almost made me feel like this was confirmed.  It took a while to bond with little Aaron, and now I can't imagine life without him.  Gladly, I give up sleeping in, drinking alcohol, and my overall independence for him.  Being a mother is the hardest thing I've done, but the rewards are totally worth it!

Bye bye work...hello maternity leave!

Last Wednesday was my last day of work before maternity leave.  I've been looking forward to this for  months but now that it's here, I'm finding myself being rather bored and restless.  Everyone's been telling me to relax, rest up, and do absolutely nothing, especially since I'll never be able to regain this time once the baby's born, but try as I might, this is tougher to do than it sounds!  Maybe it's because of my short attention span - I can barely sit through a movie or spend hours finishing up a craft project.  Or perhaps the pregnancy makes it difficult to be in one position for long periods of time.  Whatever the case...man, I'm really bored.  It doesn't help that I'm stuck without a car since it's currently at the dealer's. 

I guess it's time to go refold the baby's clothes (for the 10th time).

9th month - just a few more weeks till baby arrives!

It's hard to believe almost 9 months of pregnancy are over and that my life will be forever different with the addition of a new member to our family.  Though we've spent the past few months slowly preparing for the little one, I don't think the reality of this event has hit us yet.  It's fun to squeal over cute baby clothes, obsess over strollers and cribs, and decorate the baby room, but I've tended to gloss over (or not think about) the hard parts - labor, saying goodbye to uninterrupted sleep, endless loads of laundry, lack of alone time, etc.  However, moms have been doing this for thousands of years, so I'll get the hang of it, right?

I've come to terms with gaining 35+ lbs. since January.  It seems like ages ago when I competed in a mini-Biggest Loser competition...which ultimately left me $600 poorer since I found out I was pregnant during the last week of the competition.  I guess one good thing about being broke is that I have no choice but to lose the weight to fit into my old clothes...no money for a new wardrobe!

Here's a shadow pic from my 5th month...at the time I thought I looked huge, but compared to now, that's nothing!

Where did the summer go???

Wow, I can't believe it's already mid-August!  Why is it that summer flys by so quickly?  It's been a weird one in LA this year...the weather has been unusually mild, with temperatures averaging in the high 70's, even in the valley!  Normally this time of year, the valley's scorching with temps over 100 on average.  Not to complain though...I was dreading a hot, sweaty summer during my last trimester of pregnancy.  God's blessed all the pregnant mamas in LA with great weather this year.  Hopefully this won't mean we'll have a crazy heat wave in the fall, though!

Second trimester of pregnancy was great - I had tons of energy, slept pretty well, and had a healthy appetite (almost too healthy, since I gained about 25 lbs. during that time!)  Unfortunately, third trimester isn't so wonderful.  The past few weeks have been pretty tough...lots of back pain, especially from the afternoon on, difficulty sleeping at night, heartburn, and peeing every hour has been super annoying.  Good thing there's a light at the end of the tunnel, since the little guy's due at  the end of September! 

I've done a fair amount of travel during my pregnancy.  Here's the rundown:
-March: Pismo Beach for a destination wedding
-May: Bachelorette party in Santa Barbara, 1 year anniversay/babymoon to Cabo
-June: Chicago and San Diego for business trips
-July: Hawaii for a destination wedding

The last trip, while it was super awesome, was definitely tiring.  My aches and pains started after I got home from the airport and haven't really gotten much better since.  Now's the time to take it easy, which means I'll be missing my nephew's 1st birthday in Seattle at the end of the month.

Baby gear basics

We just found out that a baby boy is on the way and now we can start doing the fun stuff - shopping!

Actually, it's a bit overwhelming.  I didn't realize how much stuff a little infant needs, especially after reading blogs and baby books.  Plus, there are so many choices out there for car seats, strollers, cribs, clothes, bottles, diapers...my head's spinning already. 

I came across this article today narrowing down baby items to the five essentials that a parent only needs.  According to the author, parents really only NEED the following:
-car seat
-crib
-stroller
-bouncy seat (more of a maybe)
-baby bottles

Of course, obvious items like diapers and baby clothes weren't included.  Unfortunately, the first three items are probably the ones that'll cost the most amount of money, especially if you go for top-of-the-line items.  And realistically speaking, who can't resist buying teeny little baby clothes and cute baby room decor, no matter how impractical or expensive they may be?  I should've stopped spending money a year ago to save for our expensive little one.

A long hiatus

Hello world!  I broke my promise made in my last post to blog more consistently and often, and after a few months, I'm feeling a bit rusty.  So please forgive me if the next few posts seem to ramble on or not make much sense. 

Work has kept me super busy the past few months, but fortunately the majority of things that kept me away from blogging are over, and my personal life won't have to take a backseat anymore (at least until next year).

I don't want to blame my job for everything, though.  Something happened that ensured my life will never be the same going forward....

I'm pregnant!!

There's a blurry picture of me, excitedly showing off the results.  I don't know if anyone can tell, but I was still in a state of shock when this picture was taken.  I was so sure that I wasn't pregnant that  my response upon seeing the test was, "see two lines - not pregnant!" 

I'm in the beginning of my second trimester now, ready to share the news with the entire world now that my family and friends know.  The gruesome details on my severe morning sickness will come soon. 

Now I can start blogging about baby stuff without sounding like a crazy person!

Haute Couture Meets Fast Food

I couldn't help smiling after seeing this post on Eat Drink Chic juxtaposing McDonald's menu items and iconic design houses for Fashion Week.

Yes, I'd like a Burberry Big Mac and a small order of Hermes fries, please.

Valentines Day - legit holiday or corporate ploy?

With work picking up and an intro photography class that I just started, not to mention fighting off general laziness, taking time to write and post something has been tough.  However, I was suddenly inspired after seeing a lot of ads and blog posts about Valentine's Day, mostly pertaining to gifts, DIY ideas, and general musings.

I've never really been one to take Valentine's Day very seriously.  When I was younger, I bought the typical supermarket Looney Tunes/Alvin and the Chipmunks cards and passed them out to my classmates along with sweets marked "secret admirer" for the boys you had a crush on.  The chalky taste of those little pastel-colored heart candies always transports me back to my elementary school days.  I still get sad upon hearing about the unpopular/socially awkward kids who only received a few cards. 

Anyways, flash forward to the teenage and adult years, and I honestly can only remember a handful of times (mostly during my 20's) actually going out to celebrate.  Each time was marked by annoying waits at restaurants despite a reservation, bad service, and mediocre/expensive food.  The husband and I decided to cook a nice meal at home on the actual day instead of venturing out, and it's worked really well for the past 3 years. 

So maybe it's just me being a buzzkill, but I find Valentine's Day to be a bit overhyped.  Sure, it's nice to go out to dinner, receive flowers and chocolate, and celebrate with your significant other, but how's that day different from any other day?  Can't you do the same thing on an anniversary, birthday, or even just a plain old regular day of the week?  I mean, don't get me wrong, I won't turn down any of these things when I do receive them, but I won't be devastated if my husband doesn't come home on February 14th with an armful of roses marked up 500% to take me to dinner where the food tastes like something from a mediocre wedding. 

I know the above rant makes me sound like a big grouch (maybe it's because I'm hungry)...but I think I'll be content staying in and watching a DVD that night :)

Say goodbye to InStyle Weddings

I just found out that InStyle Weddings is no longer with us.  Their last published edition went on the stands this past Christmas.  Though it wasn't one of the magazines I religiously bought during wedding planning days (like Martha Stewart Weddings), I'm still a bit bummed because it contained lots of gorgeous celebrity wedding pictures fabulously out of my price range.  Perhaps they'll continue their website - I just took a look at instyleweddings.com and seems to be going strong.  btw, Christina Hendricks of Mad Men and her 60's inspired wedding is featured...wonderfully eclectic and worth taking a peek!

It seems like wedding magazines, or to be honest, the entire publications industry, is heading south pretty rapidly.  InStyle Weddings is just another casualty in the market catering to brides, like Elegant Bride and Modern Bride, which makes sense given the amount of free information and resources you can find online.

Out of curiosity, I googled publications that went belly up in 2009 and was surprised by the number that popped up.  Check it out for yourself to see if there are any surprises.

Dieting sucks

Since January 1st, I've been part of a "Biggest Loser" contest with 5 friends/family members, with the winner taking an $1800 cash prize (we each put in $300 to participate).  Normally, I'd be watching the Food Network while cooking dinner, but to get my mind off hunger, not to mention forbidden items like chocolate, bread, pasta, etc., I decided to treat myself to shopping instead.  Zero calories, but tough on the wallet! 

I've been living on a diet of these:

Okay, I haven't been THAT extreme to the point of denying myself anything remotely delicious, but it's definitely not very fun.  However, I'm determined to win the $1800, so excuse a little grumpiness and delusional ramblings until January 31st when the competition ends.

The whole point of this contest is for us to have a motivating factor to jumpstart healthier diets and regular exercise, but given the amount of money at stake, I know we're all going to partake in a little cheating (sauna, master cleanse...any other suggestions?)  the last few days of the month.

So far...I feel a little lighter and less bloated from consciously watching what I eat (mainly less carbs) and trying to exercise regularly, but the scale is still reporting very few pounds shed.  I gotta kick it up a notch since we're almost at the halfway mark!

Pros and cons of full-time crafting

There's an interesting article in the New York Times regarding the risks and benefits of turning a hobby into a full-time job.  Specifically, they interviewed a number of Etsy sellers, who to the outside world, seem to have hit the jackpot - having transitioned a side job or hobby which they loved into a full-time, profit-turning business. 

However, many sellers tempered their enthusiasm with what seemed like sheer exhaustion.  Doing what you love and being an entrepreneur seems like the perfect situation, but as with anyone who owns their own business can tell you, the amount of sweat equity one puts into it can be enormous, far more than a typical 9-5, 40 hour/week job.  Calculate into that the time spent thinking about new products, ways to improve your business, and a million other items and one can easily spend 90% of their waking hours on their business, not to mention shouldering a ton of anxious, sleepless nights and tremendous amounts of stress.

Of course, many people will tell you that the gratification that comes with being your own boss and doing something you're passionate about far outweighs any of the downsides associated with it.  I've thought long and hard about taking the risk to start my own business, but realized that it's easier said than done, and that it will take more than just a good idea to make it successful - am I willing to make my job my life?  Yes...but only for something that I truly enjoy and I'll be willing to put 110% of my effort into.  And at the end of the day, that what it looks like some of these Etsy sellers are doing.

To read the full NY Times article, click here.

A little rain = winter in LA

I've had to bring out my winter scarves and coats now that winter has arrived in LA.  Anyone who lives in um, less temperate climates than us are probably laughing their heads off when we complain about 50-degree weather and a thunderstorm.  Despite catching a cold and feeling a little woozy from medication, I love this weather because it finally feels like winter and the holidays.  It's simply not the most festive feeling when you see your neighbors putting up christmas lights in shorts and flip-flops and sunglasses.

I'll be heading up to Seattle this weekend to visit relatives up there, and I hear temperatures are below the 30's at night, so I better pack up puffy jackets, earmuffs, and mittens in excess to stay warm! 

The days are getting shorter..it's barely 4:30 in the afternoon, but the sun is already starting its way down the horizon...

Happy post-Thanksgiving!

I hope you had a wonderful and festive Thanksgiving!  We had a joint family lunch yesterday and I seriously think I gained about 5 lbs. from eating nonstop for 6 hours.  There are some terrific cooks in our family, and everyone brought a couple of dishes to complement the turkey and glazed ham...yummm!

gotta have kimchee at every meal in a korean family!

To help burn off some of the food above, I'm comtemplating whether or not to bother trying to do some shopping later today.  Maybe I'll  make up my mind after I polish off some leftovers.

Moustache reference guide on your desktop

This is going to be my new desktop wallpaper at work. 

For some reason, it makes me smile everytime I see it.  :)

(from the Moustache blog)

Kids clothes, cameras, parties...yes this is random

So this post is really a bunch of miscellaneous items thrown together...

-Anthro kids
I wrote a previous post about how I wished Anthropologie had kids clothes, and it seems like my wish came true! Originally stumbled across a limited selection of items at the store in Newport Beach when I was down there for work event, but now you can find them on their website and in the latest catalog. Super cute stuff (just super expensive too!)

how adorable is this little apron!

(all photos above from Anthropologie's website)

-the long-awaited camera

It finally arrived in the mail on Wednesday and I've been happily clicking away at the most banal and uninteresting subjects to practice (with the exception of my dog Sophie, who's been patiently acting as my primary live model).  I'm still trying to figure how to use the darn thing - there's so much more to SLRs than a regular point-and-shoot - but I'm at least shooting in "P" mode right now, having skipped the Auto functions altogether.  So far, the pictures, even with my nonexistent skills, are looking pretty good!

-party party

Our housewarming a few weeks back was a hit, despite a couple of glitches (namely a few drunk guests and me buying way too much food).  I was so busy with about 40+ guests in our small home at one point that I didn't have time to take any photos.  With the holidays approaching, I can't wait to host more soirees, though this time, they'll definitely be a much smaller and more manageable group.  Hosting duties are fun but can be quite stressful!  I can see why some people call it an art.

Happy weekend!

Fake moustache craze

There's this weird fad going on. 

Moustaches.

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Fake ones, that is, in all kinds of photos online and in places you wouldn't normally see them. 

Even Paper Source has a campy set of fake moustaches that they sell in their store:

(my sister bought these)

I'm starting to see them pop up in wedding photos:

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And on pets...?

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The Moustache Blog is actually pretty awesome, haha.  Wonder what my husband will say if I decided to try to grow some facial hair...

My first dSLR!

I'm SO excited.  Our faithful Canon Powershot broke on Halloween, which finally gave me an excuse to retire it and purchase a new camera.  Since I've been coveting an SLR after seeing too many amazing photos from other bloggers, I promptly started my research on different cameras.  With so many choices out on the market, I quickly became a bit overwhelmed.  For an indecisive person, too many options can actually be a bad thing.  I rethought my strategy and began going through a more systematic process:

1.  Entry level, prosumer, or professional?  Immediately ruled out the professional models, which had a ton of features that I probably wouldn't use.  Plus they're super expensive!

2.  Price point?  Somewhere in the under $1000 range. 

3.  Brand?  Based on tons of reviews and my own experience with point-and-shoot digital cameras, I knew I wanted either a Nikon or Canon.  I've owned many Canon cameras (both film and digital) so my initial loyalty leaned that way, but Nikon SLRs have an esteemed reputation.  I was torn until...

4.  Lenses?  I had no clue as to how to choose these.  However, I learned that a good lens can be even more important than the camera body. A good lens consistently delivers quality photos and can be used for many years, even as you upgrade or change the camera body (assuming  you stay with the same brand, I think).  Nikon lenses have an awesome reputation for sharpness, color, clarity, and all-around reliability.  Ok, now I'm sold.

5.  Where to buy?  Fortunately, my brother-in-law happened to purchase a dSLR a few months back.  He sent me a great spreadsheet organized with information on cameras and accessories with their prices broken down by online stores.  I initially planned to purchase everything from Amazon, but ended up with a better deal at Buydig. 

After this exhausting but fruitful search, I chose (drumroll)....

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The Nikon D90!  It comes with an 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S VR DX Nikkor Zoom Lens, which I learned was a fairly good all-around lens for everyday photos and portraits. 

However, I was also told that a 50mm lens takes the coolest, funnest photos, so I bought this too:

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Nikon 50mm f/1.8D AF Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras  - only $124 on Amazon!

Orders have been placed, and now I have to wait 5-9 business days to start playing with them. 

Did I mention I'm SO excited?

Back in the bay area...for the last time this year

I'm on the final leg of my fall recruiting trips, back in the bay area until Friday.  Luckily, my hotel is right next to Union Square so the first thing I did upon checking in was change and hit the shops. 

Since this is the last time this year I'll be up in the bay area, I figured I might as well make the most of the shopping opportunities here.  At Anthropologie, I watched the employees in the middle of creating their winter store displays - using plastic cups, straws, chicken wire, cotton balls, cash register tape...how the heck do they come up with such whimiscal displays using the most random items??

I also bought a pair of grey boots, which I've been searching forever for, and long-sleeved shirts (which I have plans to embellish with some flower pins that I'll make in the future). 

My last trip of the year!  Bay area, I love you, but after  5 trips in 2 months, I'm ready for a break.