Sydney Kong the Smash Monster!

This an excerpt of a post on Facebook with regards to my Sydney Kong.

The Tallest & The Shortest +++ The Youngest & The Oldest ---- We got it all - BADMINTON

Jim Franklin My favorite is when Smash Monster is at the front and the opponent makes a tiny little mistake and sets it up for her. The result is why she is called Smash Monster. :-)
April 25 at 10:31pm

Jim Franklin Uh, my partner is NOT Alicia Kong. Alicia is a nice lady but she is NOT Smash Monster. Smash Monster is Sydney Kong and Sydney Kong is Smash Monster!
April 26 at 5:49pm

Jim Franklin When Smash Monster smashes from below the height of the net the smashed-upon opponents are very surprised. They quickly learn this lesson: do NOT set up Smash Monster for a smash.
April 26 at 5:50pm ·

Jim Franklin Smash Monster's ear to ear smile is exactly like my ear to ear smile when I see her take advantage of those smash opportunities. It is fun for me to see the look on the faces on the other side of the net when SM's smash lands at their feet. Their expressions say in capital letters "HOW'D SHE DO THAT!!".

I love the Internet!

During these hard economic times, where gasoline cost around (regular) $4.39 per gallon to (premium) $4.59 and groceries...yikes. Everytime I put gas, my heart stopped. There are people who are into EXTREME COUPONING where they would clipped all coupons from newspapers, from manufacturers, retail stores to online! These extremists would hauled cartfuls of groceries home without paying the retail price and most of them, live and breathe the lifestyle.

I tried to practice this lifestyle, believe me, it is time-consuming and diligence is required. Here is the story, I wanted to get premium roses arrangements for my ammi and aunt, here in Fresno, for Mother's Day. I cannot afford paying for $30 or more for one arrangment, so I have been looking for ideas, Vons grocery store, came to mind, they sell nice, plump and lost lasting premium roses for $9.99 per dozen. I bought 2 dozen at the floral section. I got 2 slim rectangular vases for $9.99 each - total with tax $43.58, the nice lady who helped me at the counter, gave me 2 boxes and tissue paper for free.

On top of that, I ordered the greeting card for free! Yes! Saved me $5.00! Thanks to tinyprints.com, what I would do without the Internet!

Sick on Mother's Day

She stared down because she hated the flash from my camera.




Here you can see, I gained 4 pounds of late. Damn those cupcakes from Sugar Shack!
However, it did not raised any red flags with my family physician!




Staring at her balloon.

Our lunch plan for Mother's Day was called off, as lil Choozi is miserable with a cold - congestion, runny nose and fever. I was so looking forward to a nice meal where someone caters to you, what a luxury!

The day before Mother's Day, we changed our breakfast venue to Marie Callendar's instead of Denny's, because Denny's was packed. I do not recommed dining at Marie Callendar's for ala carte breakfast on a Saturday, limited menu choices, the pineapple juice was not even chilled, tasted like it came from a can. The food did not "wow" me.

Denny's has turkey bacon (Choozo's fave) & chicken sausage, also lunch or dinner choices. I love my Denny's at Shaw.

Happy Mother's Day 2011!

It is 2.44 am on a Saturday morning, insomnia, I called it. Eyes wide awake. Today is Mother's Day, a day that I always celebrate for the women who greatly influenced or played a part in my life, past, present and future. I miss my mommy. I miss my poh-poh. I long to see my dear aunt Bee, she taught me to read & write proper English and I miss those precious times I spent hanging out with her at the old office of Bank Bumiputra, she is a classy lady, I must say.

I will not forget all the ladies in my life, that somehow touched my life with your presence, I know you know who you are, thank you, I truly appreciate what you have shown, shared and taught me to where I am today, I love all the "women" in my family.

Something other than McDonalds!

Reaching for her bhai's cup.



My boy and I.









She loves organic puff cheese balls.

Girly girl. She likes pink!

Armed and dangerous.

Last Sunday, we dressed Choozi and Choozo up and headed to Sweet Tomatoes. We have not had salad, soup and bread for a long time. As usual, Choozo ate his regular freshly-cooked Mac N Cheese, nothing else. Choozi devoured everything in plain sight but in moderation, she knows when to say no, by pushing it away! Moderation is key here for her. She has yet to learn to bite in small portion, instead of shoving the whole piece into her mouth.

Party at Michaelangelo's Pizza

Stephanie and Gregory Schmidt, he threw her this huge party at Michaelangelo's Pizza in Clovis, which is a nice joint/bar. Tasty chicken taquitos, buffalo wings - a tad salty accompanied by a Shirley Temple. I had to leave early because I have a hungry family at home waiting for me to bring home food.

Gary Schmidt wiggin out.

Jennifer Simmons, hubby and Travis Calvert.

My uncle in Afro!

In a mohawk!

A very very large pizza!

Stephanie and her birthday cake!

Cutting into her cake!

Well done, happy 30th Steph!

Happy Birthday Stephanie Schmidt!

I made this Greg Schmidt's wife, Stephanie, who turned 30. Chocolate cake with chocolate ganache and whipped frosting. Topped with sugar bottles with edible labels and sugar ice cubes! It turned out well. I am happy with my work as I have improved.