End of the year, new goal

I've been thinking a lot of Yoga the last few months, since I had this new Yoga teacher for the Thursday night Yoga. I like her classes.

Every time after the class, I feel so relieved and refreshed. I became more aware of me, and my presence. It brought me joy.

My instructor is also a Yoga teacher's instructor, so she told us about the certification program she was teaching, which ran from beginning of August through the end of the year . I took a flyer with me. She also hosts retreats to Mexico next year. Everything seem so beautiful and refreshing. I wanted to join too. I took a flyer with me and put them on my bulletin board.

I have been thinking about getting certified. But I held myself back, because I didn't want to jump into something that I didn't have time or energy to do, when my full time job was already keeping me busy.

My motivation of getting certified was not because I thought I was a better teacher than others, or that I wanted to change a career to do something easier. I wanted to get certified so that I could teach Chinese Yoga. See, my mom and other relatives in her age had been in pain a lot in their old ages. They weren't exercising regularly, so they couldn't keep a strong body to fight the pain. So I had been searching for some Yoga classes for Chinese, but I haven't had any luck. So I thought I had to be the person to do it.

My plan is this. I would have to start practicing Yoga on my own, build my own sequences with the help of books and online materials. Then I will read more about Yoga and the philosophy. I could then start introducing my mom to Yoga. So today, I built 2 sequences. One Easy Yoga for elders, another one was Yoga for back pain, for me.

I bought a pair of Yoga sticky gloves from Target, and I used it today to practice the Easy Yoga, they were awesome. I will do my back pain sequence tomorrow morning. I will try to make it a routine. So I don't have to commit to getting certified, which is $2500 and over a few months of part-time study; or going on a retreat, which is $1500 for 7 days.

See how long this hobby will last for me.

Christmas Shopping 2010

Christmas is always stressful for me, I guess this is nothing out of the ordinary for Americans.

Over the years, Jack has this open secret about shopping, which for some unfathomable reason, I never adapted myself to. He shopped online and I didn't. OK ... there were many reasons why I didn't like to shop online: I enjoyed the perks of shopping at malls, namely, seeing and touching what I would buy, socializing with friends, people watching; I had bad experiences shopping online; I believed shipping and handling were way too overpriced and weren't worth it.

Jack on the other hand, hated going to shopping malls, because standing and walking around hurt his back. Jack shopped online. Fedex and UPS were his friends. He was probably the first few who shop online many years back when the internet was still some kind of unknown to the general public. He even created an online shop for the pizzeria at the Student Union, so that it was more convenient for him to order food during his office hours, and maybe get himself some free pizza.

The last few years, my traditional ways of shopping didn't work out quite well. Since I became so super busy all year round, I didn't have time to squeeze in for finding thoughtful gifts for my love ones. So I ended up stressing myself even more every year toward the Christmas Season.

This year, I found myself in similar situation. Last Sunday, Jack and I were talking about Christmas gifts while we were driving home. He already done some shopping, and was pleased. I told him I haven't started yet, and I said, "maybe I could get you some plugs and cables for the home media player project you are putting together." I smiled when I thought it was such a brilliant idea.

I tried to wing it every year. After all, I didn't grow up with Christmas and gift giving, so it was hard to get me excited about spending a paycheck over a holiday.

Jack said, "if you got me plugs and cables for Christmas, I will divorce you."

OK, I could hear the joking tone in his voice, but it was severe enough for me to take it more seriously.

"Ha ha ha, that's good to know. So underwear and socks are out of the question, then?" I continued my joke, and tried to get myself out of the corner.

The pressure was on. I spent the next 4 hours scrambling to find the catalogs from National Geographic Store, Wind & Weather and Brookstone, etc, which would normally end up in the recycle pile, looking for fun toys for my new husband. I also bit the bullet to make the orders online. 4 hours and a few hundred $$$ later, most of my shopping was done. It wasn't that bad after all. The good thing, I used Jack's Amazon prime account to get free 2nd day shipping. For non Amazon orders, I managed to find free shipping deals and additional discounts.

This morning, the door bell rang at around 10, while both of us were working hard at the computer. We both stayed super quiet pretending we weren't home, thinking it was my church "friends" - I didn't read the Bible, the part explaining why God allowed wickedness (which Jack mistaken to be "Why God allowed wikileaks" and jumped to his feet), my church "friends" were going to discuss it "next time". After shower, we headed out to walk the dogs. I found a Fedex box at the door addressed to me. Ah, the Christmas present. While we were opening the box - I had to, cause it was labelled "open immediately" - a second Fedex delivery came to me.

As we open our Christmas presents - to save the efforts to wrap them - I started to feel the joy of online shopping!

How I've gone to the dark side.

On spending money

I still remember when $20 in my pocket covered for three-week expenses, and that was when I was in college. Back then, life was simple and comfortable. I had no "real" income, so I had no need for big expenses - A peace of mind.

When I started working after college, I would buy anything. Clothing, accessories, food and stuff, whatever fits my fancy at the spur of the moment. I was, for lack of a better phrase, a little spending machine. I seemed to be always one pair of new shoes away from happiness. Over a few years, home is cluttered with piles of things, unused makeups, dresses that still have tags on.

Now, I am more picky on things I use and food that I eat. I tend to spend my money on things I really like and enjoy, even though they may be expensive, instead of spending money on some random things just for kicks.

Growing up is a strange thing, because once a while when you look back you could see a clear path from then to now, and there is a reason why you become who you are.

Dishes we made well

Hummus - Jack
Thai green curry paste and homemade green curry - Jack and Ying
Thanksgiving meal - Jack

• Roast turkey, gravy
  
• Wild rice casserole
• Garlic mashed potato
• Noodle casserole
• Upside-down cake
• Sour cream cheese cake
  
• Homemade ice cream
  
• Homemade salsa
  

Stir-fried anything - Ying
Indian curry with lentils - Ying
Aloo Gobi - Ying
Japanese curry with store-bought Japanese curry paste - Jack and Ying
Kung Pao chicken - Ying
Sichuan big bowl beef - Ying
Sichuan cold noodle - Jack

Ying's list: The Best Stuff and Best Treat On Earth

Walkers Pure Butter Shortbread from Scotland.

• Very buttery but not too sweet. Only 3 grams of sugar.
  
• Delicious!

Facial given by Shana at Bamboo Hair and Body.

• I had a warm stone exfoliating facial with Shana last night. After the 1 hour session, I felt that an invisible layer of fatigue was taken off my face. All my facial muscles were so relaxed and my face was so soft.
• My face feels so soft 4-5 days after the facial. I have good reason to believe I will feel good even 1 week later.
• That, I realize, is a worthy facial.
  

Zumba class taught by Sunita.

• Zumba is an amazing aerobic exercise that is super fun and easy to learn. It provides an opportunity for a rigid Chinese girl - moi - to explore and experience the passion of Latin dance.
• Sunita was my Zumba instructor at the athletic club. She was a good dancer and awesome teacher. I love her class. I took her class for 1 year and I felt that my core was stronger, more flexible and toned.
• Unfortunately, she left the club. But now I'm also a certified Zumba instructor! That's how much I like it.

Dim Sum at Hong Kong Flower Lounge in Millbrae - it's up there.

• Yesterday Jack and I waited for 45 minutes to get a table at the corner of the restaurant, in front of the closet. But no complaints, we were still served well and got all the delicious dim sum we wanted.
• Our dim sum favorites?
  

Lightly steamed clam (my mom introduced us to this dish and we love it);
steamed bean curd wrap;
shrimp dumpling;
pork dumpling;
turnip cake;
stuffed mushroom with black bean sauce
... a lot more depending on our mood and appetite ...

• Good food will speak to you and tell you when to go back to have more. It's like magic.

Massage given by Kristen

• Kristen is also a yoga instructor and she is a great masseuse.
• Since she works at the athletic club, there is no fancy spa atmosphere, but she is a nice person.
  
• She played some natural sounds in the room, and during the whole session, I just let my body and mind go. My mind was drifting off. Now and then I thought I was on vacation in Hawaii.
  
• Kristen found a big knot on my left shoulder, and to my amazement, she rub it down good. She is probably the second masseuse who can do that.
• Go to seat in the hot tub and steam room right afterward, and it is truly the best treat on earth.
  

Viyiasa Yoga with Jean

• Jean is a singer and voice artist.
• She is also a very experienced Yogi.
• I love her singing before the practice start. Though I don't know what she is singing about. I think it's in Hindi.
• Jean integrates philosophy into the Yoga practices. She teach us to focus on ourselves, and plant happiness and joy to our body and soul.
• After a sequence, she let us stand on Mountain Pose with eyes closed, and feel the change in the body. It really works, because I can feel my body being less and less rigid as the class progresses.
• The Thursday night Yoga class is the best gift I give to myself in a week.

Bread and cheeses in France

It made me laugh

Despite some room for improvement, my athletic club is one of my favorite hang outs away from home. There are a few things I like about the club, some good classes and the massage. On top of all that, I love their steam room. After sitting in the steam room, my skin feels so smooth and refreshed.

Last Tuesday night I took the Pilates-mat class, then went to the steam room. There were already 6 ladies sitting in the small steam room when I got there. One lady left, so I quickly took her seat. Ms T. - one of a handful of ladies I talked to in the gym - was having a lively exchange in Chinese with others about food and local restaurants. I listened politely. Another lady came into the steamy room. She said hi to her friends in the group and started talking in mandarin.

"My brother taught me to make this drink: blend a bitter melon, a bell pepper, a cucumber, an apple, a celery stick together. When I drank it, I could feel it going down my throat, working through my intestines, " she was animating with her finger pointing from her throat down to the chest and around the stomach area, "and slowly my system started to gurgle, and I had the runs 3 times this afternoon." then she held out 3 fingers. "Oh my god, it was so tough." She said with a sad face, "and he said it was a good drink for the summer called 'The Five Element Drink.'"

Imaging the green liquid slowly making its way down this lady's system, I tried very hard to hold back my laughter. So I immediately joined the others to show my sympathy.

Ms. T., the wise one in the group smile and said: "There must be too much cool element in the drink, so your system couldn't stand it."

"Yes, and it didn't come out all at once, oh, punishing me." Said the unfortunate lady, while rubbing her belly, "tonight I have to go out and eat a real good meal."

The France impression

Since my two-week trip to France in June, I start to understand why people make such a fuss after a trip to Europe. Well, I have to admit, I am one of those people now. It has little to do with the long duration of the flight from San Francisco (or other places of the world, for that matter) to Paris, or how expensive the trip is. It is all about the French experience.

In this trip, I had an excellent guide, Anne, who retired back to the mountains in Glenoble, France. She kept us away from doing silly touristy things, and let us enjoy the country as it was to a Frenchwoman.

Sure, Paris is an impressive metropolitan city with history, arts and architectures that you can't miss every time you turn around the corner of the city streets. The romantic Seine and its many bridges; the amazing number of museums; the famous monuments; fashionable shops and delicious eateries all added personalities to this unique place. Walking on the streets of Paris, I can't help but wonder how can all these amazing features even fit in one small city at the same time?!

Outside of Paris is just as impressive if not more so. The drive from Paris to Glenoble was very enjoyable. We passed by countless castles and historic buildings, some of them were just off the highway! The fields were so green and the forests were so lush. I saw a field full of fiery red poppies off the side of the highway, it was bloody and bold, just being there to put passersby in awe.