Brandon's 1st Birthday (Christmas Day)

Here is a little update. We reached Kuching, Malaysia safely with no problem. Brandon is adapting to local time slowly. The first few days were tough as he kept waking up in the wee hours. Anyway, he arrived just in time for his birthday.

Pre-cutting cake shot

Cutting of cake

Happy Birthday Brandon from mommy, daddy, grandpas, grandmas, uncles and aunties.

Leaving for Malaysia

We will be away for the rest of December and will be back next year. Please come back for more stories about our trip. In the mean time, we would like to wish everyone;

Picture courtesy of crazy-frankenstain.com

Thanksgiving (Nov 25'10)
by Adrian Yong

I meant to update this earlier but with Brandon nothing can't be planned. There is always last minute changes and etc. Anyway, Serene roasted a turkey for the first time using an Asian fusion recipe. Please see for yourself the dressing prep, turkey and the meal.

Shitake Mushroom and cilantro dressing prep

Complete dressing (mixed of Japanese rice, cut shitake mushroom and cilantro)

Roasted turkey fresh from oven

Cut turkey

Voila' the complete Thanksgiving meal with sweet potato

Verdict: The turkey was a bit tough and the meal was so so. I supposed the turkey we got was not the best one. Well, there is always next year.

It snowed....!

Snow came a bit early this year. At least, it was just light snow and didn't stick too long. The weather is cold and chilly. Currently, it is 23F (5C).

Light snow on our lawn and roof

Snow on our flower bed

The snow and cold remind me of the time for hot chocolate and ginger bread cookies.....! How about you?

San Diego Part 2
by Adrian Yong

This is my continued exploration on Coronado Island. Per my concierge's suggestion I decided to check out Hotel Del Coronado known as "The Del" by the locals. She told me that the hotel is famous and lots of movie stars/dignitaries have stayed in the hotel.

From my research, notable guests have included Thomas Edison, L. Frank Baum, Charlie Chaplin, Vincent Price, Babe Ruth, and Reggie White. The following presidents have stayed at the hotel: Benjamin Harrison, William McKinley, William Howard Taft, Woodrow Wilson, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard M. Nixon, Gerald R. Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama. It is one of the oldest and largest all-wooden buildings in California and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1977 and is designated California Historical Landmark. (Source: Wikipedia)

When it is old there is always association with the place being haunted. Upon checking on the web it was confirmed that there are two rooms in the hotels that have reports of paranormal activities. The first is the legendary ghost of Katie Morgan. She was said to checked in the hotel and disappeared without checking out. Some said she was murdered and some said she committed suicide. Who knows.....! Anyway, if you dare, ask for room 3312.

The other is room 502 (now 3502) was rumored to be the love nest of hotel builder and owner E. S. Babcock. The ill-fated mistress staying in this room took her own life soon after learning she was with child. The body later disappeared, perhaps removed by someone wishing to avoid an ugly scandal. Today, lights sometimes flicker in the room, and outside the door, an icy chill may be felt. (Source: http://gothere.com/sandiego/Ghosts/HotelDel/default.htm).

Several sightings of apparitions also were reported by hotel staffs at hallways and certain areas of the hotels. I suppose "The Dell" does not need to hire reenactors to spice out the ambiance of the old looking hotel. They already have the permanent ones that show up without prompting.

Entrance signage

Famous front view facing the beach

The "Dragon Tree" that was used as the backdrop for the movie "Some like it hot" starring Marilyn Monroe filmed in 1958.

Hotel garden

Movie memorabilia of "Some like it Hot"

Sunset in front of the hotel

Stay tuned for more of San Diego....!

San Diego Part 1
by Adrian Yong

As part of my job, I was drafted to attend a work related professional conference at San Diego. Never been to San Diego myself, I was excited about the trip.

Hilton San Diego Bayfront (my hotel)

If you guys plan to visit, I suggest not to stay at the Hilton. It is a cash sink hole basically. Everything is expensive and high speed internet does not comes with it after paying close to $300 per night.

Omni Hotel (Left) and Petco Park (Official site of San Diego Padres)

Scene of the pier next to the hotel

Gaslamp Quarter Historical District

Gaslamp Quater was one of the early establishments of the City of San Diego and its famous former resident includes infamous cowboy Wyatt Earp.

While I was strolling at Gaslamp Quarter Historical District, I saw a Chinese Museum. Out my curiosity, I decided to check it out. Note: Chinatown used to be in the Gaslamp Quarter area. As part of re-development of the area, the Chinese community moved out to other parts of San Diego.

Wrong image that I have in mind

Somehow I have the pre-notion of the image of the early Chinese settlers dressing like the cowboys in Jackie Chan's movie Shanghai Noon. Needless to say, I was wrong. Ops....!

Old model of Chinatown

I did not know there is no Chinatown in San Diego currently. I was told by the staff of the museum there is an area with lots of Chinese restaurants but no Chinatown.

Model of Chinese fishing village

Laundry Ticket Book

Apparently, there was a huge establishment of laundry business catering to the Navy base back in World War II. Except from San Diego Chinese Historical Museum "With scores of war ships stationed here, and hundreds of thousands of uniforms that needed washing, a new breed of Chinese laundry was born (i.e. Wong Lee Laundry, New Life Laundry, Welcome Laundry, and Eagle Laundry). Over the years, they cleaned and pressed shiploads of Navy uniforms and were even known to work shifts around-the-clock". The area is no longer filled with launderers.

Coronado Island

After touring the Gaslamp area, I decided to take the ferry boat to cross to Coronado Island where the famous haunted Hotel Del Coronado awaits me.

Downtown San Diego taken from Coronado Island

It was not kidding when the hotel concierge told me it was a mile walk to the other side of the island to reach the Hotel Del Coronado. I suppose it is my "catch up" workout for years of neglected exercise.

Anyway, till then stay tune for the next part of my journey of San Diego....!

Moon Silhouette
by Adrian Yong

Lately, we have been bombarded by vampires/supernaturals movies. I thought I could share with you where they get the image of the night as their inspiration.

Taken outside our house with our neighbor's tree

Fall and Halloween
by Adrian Yong

I cannot believe it is already more than a year since we moved in the house. It was around this time we were unloading things to the house. Serene was still pregnant with Brandon and he kept moving kicking in her belly. This year's Fall/Halloween is more meaningful for us ever since the addition to our household.

Leaves on our front yard

Brandon playing with the pumpkin on our front yard (Notice he has two pumpkins)

Heaven Hill Farm
by Adrian Yong

Since Halloween is approaching, we thought it might be good idea to check out the pumpkin farms around our area. After searching a few websites online and reading the reviews, we finally decided to check out Heaven Hill Farm. Our initial plan was to bring Brandon and have a nice picture taking action on the pumpkin field. See for yourself what we did over the weekend.

Heaven Hill Farm signage next to the entrance

Mini gourds

Pumpkins and scare crows

Hayride entrance

Strollers parking (we are not the only one with baby)

New York Giants Pumpkin

Brandon putting a surprise face next to the pumpkin

The verdict: The attractions are fun, line for the food is bit long and a bit pricey on the flowers & food items (as expected). We do not mind going back to the farm again when Brandon is old enough to have the hayride.

Funny Video

Came across this humorous video from Kenny Sia's blog. Too funny not to share.

Philadelphia's Trip on Labor Day weekend (September 6, 2010)
by Adrian Yong

It has been a while since our last road trip with Brandon. His first road trip was Atlantic City when he was about five months old. We didn't do much as he was too little to be moving around plus the weather wasn't that great.

We have been to Philadelphia many times but since we just want to get away as a family, we figured this would be a good place for a start. Some of Philly's landmarks are just fun to go back again and again. Unfortunately, we didn't go to a lot of the regular places including the Independence Hall. It was covered with scaffolding for an on going restoration project hence not photo-friendly. Plus, with a baby in tow, it is hard to move around as well. Please view the photos of the places we managed to visit.

Reading Terminal Market

Fresh produce at Reading Terminal Market

Biscotti at Reading Terminal Market

Indulgence - sinful desserts at Reading Terminal Market

Custom order chocolate shop at Reading Terminal Market

Benjamin Franklin (Founder of U Penn)

U Penn campus building

Students' notice board at U Penn campus (Reminded me of my college days)

The world famous Wharton School of Business

Finally, Joyous Brandon on the hotel bed

Stay tune for future road trips with Brandon. I am sure we will have more to come. End of the year trip home on the plane will be a torture an adventure. We hope Brandon will be good. It's such a long flight!

Guess what we had for dinner yesterday (Guest Blogger)

I was at a conference in San Antonio, Texas beginning of the year and was given a new product/concept by McCormick called Recipe Inspirations Rosemary Roasted Chicken with Potatoes. To me I think it is a great idea especially when you do not need to figure out the portion for each seasoning. See for yourself.


What do you think???? Hungry yet....!

SURPRISE FINDING

We were on the way home from the Malaysian Consulate General in NY. As we got nearer to our house, we saw something lying at the edge of the front lawn. Check out what I am referring to. I am glad that nature took its own course.

The recurring damage (front lawn) - thanks to someone who is now

DEAD!!!

Yeah yeah yeah....! Unfortunately, this is just one of them. There is a pack of them still running around. &^%$@...!

Brandon's First Trip to the New York City and about

We were supposed to go the Malaysian Consulate to apply for Brandon's Malaysian Birth Certificate to avoid complication visiting our parents in Malaysia at the end of the year. Somehow, I have this feeling things might work as smoothly when dealing with Malaysian civil service. So I called the Malaysian Consulate in New York and surely enough the officer has other engagement on the day we plan to go submit the application. They should have a relieve officer as a back up and not relying on just one person. Well, that's Malaysian civil service for you.

Anyway, since both of us (Serene and Adrian) were having a flex day, we just went ahead and brought Brandon to the city for the first time. Plus Serene's co-workers have been waiting to see Brandon in person for months. Relax and enjoy viewing the pictures..!

Brandon and mommy at Fulton Street Subway Station

Brandon and Daddy (Little Italy -background decorative propping for Feast of Saint Gennaro)

Century 21. If you are in the vicinity of the former World Trade Center, you should check out the "super" discounted departmental store. They carry surplus branded stocks.

Construction activities at the former World Trade Center Site

The controversial Park 51

Here is our take on the controversial mosque project at 49-51 Park Place New York. We suggest Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf to move the mosque to another location respecting the relatives of the victims of 9-11 attacks. Yes, he has the legal rights to build a mosque in the area but he should be sensitive to the families of the victims of the 911 attacks.

Let me tell you a similar story some years ago. A group of Carmelite nuns was living at a convent adjoining Auschwitz and it outraged the Jewish community. This is because the converted convent building was originally been a theater but was utilized during World War II to store gas used in the Auschwitz-Birkenau crematoria.

Out of respect to the Jewish people and at the request of the late Pope John Paul II, the Carmelite nuns moved to another convent in 1993. I think Imam Feisal should do the same. What do you think?