J'tia

J'tia - it has become our go-to phrase/name when referring to a whiny, uncooperative, self-proclaimed professional yet destructive individual within a team who is not able to work under pressure. (We simply watched too much Survivor.) 

A has the tendency to throw the J'tia-tantrum from time to time when she gets frustrated and is under stress. And she did today, on the hill - literally crying her lung out saying that she didn't want to ski anymore, in the middle of Broadway. 

I used the magic word "J" and asked her to calm down with deep breath (I wasn't sure if it would work and it had crossed my mind that the worst case scenario that we might need to ask the paramedic to get her down). Then we told her that when the slope was steeper she would have to take her time to zigzag down instead of dashing down because she simply couldn't stop with that speed. After having her butt on the slope for a while contemplating with that typical expressionless face, she put it into action. For the rest of the day (and the rest of the trip), she was just cruising, enjoying the ride and loving it. 

I could not be prouder. I didn't even know that it was possible - seeing her turning the situation around and being in control of her emotion and making the experience fun! No J'tia no more. 

Powder!

It has been snowing non-stop since we got here in Mammoth. Don’t think that we have ever seen Mammoth with so much snow ever since we first came here in 2015. Don’t blame it on Mammoth, I would say it is more because we come here usually earlier in the season and spend Thanksgiving right after the first snowfall and the “snow dump” doesn’t usually happen until later in the season. 

I have been extremely stoked and it is just so exciting to actually go tubing, (disc) sledding, snowball fighting and skiing/snowboarding with kids on powdery snow. I wanted to show them what the “real” snow is like, not the man-made, artificial groomed, icy runs they have played with and skied on over the years (except for Valle Nevado in Chile but they probably have no recollection of it at all since they were too little). 

“Mom, can I go with you tomorrow morning? Can you wake me up at 7am?” Ninja asked me last night. “Of course!” I was ecstatic. Finally I get a ski/snowboard buddy. I know that Papi wouldn’t want to wake up that early to catch the first lift up to the mountain for the fresh powder and I didn't even bother to ask.  

“I don’t want to go in the morning and I just want to sleep in.” A said. Not surprise as she totally takes after her dad in this aspect – sun and beach are more of her things. 

So we (Ninja and I) did. All ready by 8:15am and walked up to the lift by 8:30am. 

After the first run down the mountain, Ninja exclaimed, “Wow, Mom, this is so powdery and amazing. So silent and quiet!” I was rejoiced when he discovered the difference. So nice that I was able to show him what I had experienced growing up and how I love about being in the cold, crispy, fresh, powdery snow. 

Perhaps this is what being parents is about - passing down what we have known, experienced to our kids through stories, anecdotes, and things we do together, and these are the moments and memories they will remember us by when we are gone. 

Alexi Ana

A had to make a "Culture Doll" for school. I figured that it's about time for her to learn about all the cultures that she represents - from panama hat to maple leaf to flamenco dancer to bubble tea to Miss Universe. So instead of making a culture doll, we made a multicultural doll together, measuring A's exact size, her avatar.

"This is my multicultural doll, Alexi Ana. What's yours? 

the soul party

Ninja was in the mood of total makeover. I think that he’s just tired of everyday and everything being the same, wanted to spice things up a little bit. He first did a total makeover on his room by rearranging all the furniture. Then he went on to rearrange A’s room. She was so surprised that she burst into tears when she walked in. (I felt that I was watching a reality TV show, LOL)

Then around 6pm when they were done with all the work, I heard music blasting from Ninja’s room. Someone’s having a “soul” party. Pretty rad I must say. Genuinely impressed with all the light show, music, mini lounge, groovy moves and fun! Desperation is the mother of invention! Just grateful that they are able to create fun out of nothing to make themselves happy and keep themselves entertained. Let’s get party started!

Mission on Minecraft

One of the “advantages” of “homeschooling” (distance learning during the pandemic) is that I (as a parent) actually get to know what the kids are learning (curriculum wise) "at school". We seem to receive more communication (emails, google classroom) from the teachers.

So apparently, one of the biggest topics for the 4th grade social study is learning the history of California, which could be summed up by Spaniard’s colonization through religion and force. They need to learn all the original 9 Missions built by Juan Junipero Serra and choose one of the 21 Missions in California as a research project. 

It somewhat echos the family catechism we do (during the pandemic) at home. We also made a stop at Mission Santa Inez on our trip to Pismo during the Thanksgiving holidays. It seems that our lives have revolved around Catholicism these days. 

Normally, one of their (the 4th graders) biggest projects of the year is to create a diorama for a chosen Mission. Since it’s pandemic, most teachers make it optional. Yet, Ninja decided to do it with Minecraft to see if he can get extra credits for it. I thought it was an awesome idea, not only he gets to be creative but it makes learning fun (and they are already playing video games, might as well.) It took him just 3 hours to complete it (though he claimed for 7 days, assuming 30 minutes a day based on his calculation). I must say I was genuinely impressed of his Minecraft version of Mission Santa Ines and he also made a YouTube video for the visual tour. Pretty rad! Welcome to the eGeneration! 

p.s. Ninja had deleted his original video, this is a remake of the original one, the structure of the project is the same just that the recording is updated.

happy holiday

a tribute to the holiday greetings amid the pandemic (very amateur cell phone photo with unicorn onesies in our backyard)

Happy Holidays

What a year! Truly, what a year!

Covid has dominated our lives this year (along with the presidential election). We have been on "quarantine" since March. It has been inconvenient but we have adapted to the new normal - working from home, distance learning, online grocery shopping, home-cooking, Zoom, disinfecting "everything", road trips to the local attractions and the list goes on. 

We each have selected what we deem that have helped us survive this abnormal time - booze, rolling pin, spray (alcohol) and book as a tribute to this year's holiday greeting. We all have taken on new skills, hobbies or habits amid the pandemic and perhaps discovered a few new things about ourselves and one another. It has been forever since we saw our friends aboard. Yet, we feel much closer than ever since we are literally "in the same boat" and our daily routines cannot be more similar. 

We are grateful. Grateful that we are safe and healthy. Grateful our families and friends are well. Grateful that we have work and school that keep us busy and productive. Grateful that we can still wake up in the morning and find little things in our lives that spark joy. 

2020 is going down as a memorable year that one wants to forget but we are hopeful. Hopeful that we will get to see you and hang out with you next year. Hopefully that there is light at the end of the tunnel. We wish you all a safe and happy holiday with a bright and hopeful 2021. 

Love, 

Sharon, Fernando, Erik and Anya

I am grateful for...

 A is able to elaborate the gratitude much better than I can...