Happy Birthday : Choco

Today is Choco's 10th birthday. Happy Birthday Choco! It is also our 7th Wedding Anniversary. A Happy Third Birthday goes out to Jake Loggins!


We also made it through our first day home with Maya. No problems. Thanks to my company for the beautiful flowers. Thanks to the Japan Office for the wonderful gifts. Thanks to ALL the friends and family for calling and wishing us well.

After Birth

After the birth, I headed home to take care of the dogs, shower and pickup some food for Pan (she had not eaten since the night before). When I arrived with the food and drinks, I found mother and daughter resting peacefully together. The hospital believes in "skin to skin" contact as soon as possible. We were shortly moved upstairs to the New Mothers ward were both mother and daughter would be monitered and taken care of.


Day 2: I arrived the next morning with a box of fresh donuts for the nurses and a french cueter for Pan. Little Pan was amazingly mellow through the night and into the early morning. Crying was to a minimum. Very unexpected. Even all the nurses commented on how mellow she was.


That however, changed by late afternoon. Little Pan became very fussy. She would want to feed, then cry, then sleep. Everything I learned in baby class went out the window. The burrito wrap, the shooshing, the rocking...nothing seemed to help. I ended up calling the nurses every hour. Fortunately, the nurses were able to answer all my questions and show me different wraping techniques. By early evening, Little Pan was back to her mellow self (Thanks to JoeyS & Jessica for visiting and the flowers & Thanks to the Development Team for the gift basket).


Day 3: Again, I arrived with a box of fresh hot Krispy Cremes for the nurses and a french cueter for Pan. I got to change my first diaper and worked on my burrito wrap. Little Pan was a sweetheart. We were told by the doctors that since both mother and daughter were doing so well, they would be going home this evening.


Thank you to the great Doctors and staff at the UCSD hospital. Special Thanks to the wonderful nurses (Cinyene, Zinll, Lizzy & Lea) for all their patience and help.

She's Having a Baby

Pan started having labor contractions little after Midnight. I got up around 1 AM. We went to the hospital at 5 AM. We had some wonderful nurses in our labor room (Thanks Brenda & Laura).


At 3 PM, we learned that the baby was turned wrong. I had to put on scrubs, going on little sleep and head to the operating room. Pan had to get a Episiotomy. The doctor then had to turn and pull the baby out. Luckily for us, the Doctor delivering our baby is one of the few doctors in the US that is qualified/experienced enough to deliver with forecips. I was told that if it had been any other doctor, Pan would have had to get a Cesarean.



End Product : Maya, arrived at 4:43 PM, 8lbs 7oz, 20 1/2 inches. Thanks to the fine medical team that helped with Maya's delivery. Both mother and daughter are doing fine. Doggies are doing fine. Poppa...to be continued...I will be busy for the next couple of days and will try to post pictures as soon as I can.

Japan Sign #4

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Pan at 39 weeks

Pan wants the baby to come out. Baby seems to be holding out as long as possible. Smart girl.

Song of the Day:
"Not Tonight", Tegan & Sara

Doggie Picture : Look at Me!

"Look at Me!"

Weekend Dog Blogging: Check out all the great doggie pictures over at Sweetnicks.

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Sevilla

I had been craving Paella for weeks. Everytime Pan asked what I wanted for dinner, I would suggest Paella. You see, we had been spoiled when it came to Paella. The was a gentleman who lived in our building that would make patches an patches of the best Paella in the world and would periodically supply us with meals worth.


We decided to go to Sevilla on Fourth. We had been to Sevilla a few times before for a few tapas at the bar, this time we decided to sit in the main dining area. Although it was a bit dark (which explains my pictures), I like the rustic style.


We started off with the Gazpacho Andaluz ($3.75). This was such a nice light refreshing soup. You could taste the sweetness from the tomatoes and the pepper gave this a nice slightly spicy finish. This soup really got my palate going.


Pan ordered the Traditional Paella ($22.50). The kitchen had their "A" game going tonight. Everything in this dish was cooked perfectly. Mussels, clams, calamari, shrimp, scallops, chicken, chorizo on top of saffon rice. Not an easy thing to do. All the layers of flavors where working harmoniously together in this dish.


I ordered the Castillan Style Fillets Medallions ($22.75). Oh My Gawd was this good. The perfectly grilled fillets were served on top of smashed potatoes, surround by Cabrales Blue (blue cheese cream sauce) topped with diced chives. This was the best tasting steak I have had in my three years eatting in the Gaslamp. The fillet was tender with slight grill flavor from the char lines, with just enough of a salt and pepper front to bring out the taste of the marinated beef. And is there a better combination than smashed potatoes, blue cheese and chives?


Lastly we finished our meal wih Pan's favorite dessert. Chocolate Espresso Creme Brulee. Chocolatey, creamy and smooth. Layers of textures. Whipped Cream, Chocolate chips, Caramelized top, then the mildly sweet brulee. Very nice dessert.

I sat back in my chair in a daze, that can only be brought on by a wonderful meal. We have been to Sevilla a hand full of times, the food has never been this good. There is hope for food in the Gaslamp.

Sevilla
555 Fourth Ave.
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 233-5979
www.cafesevilla.com

Pan Says:So good meat with cream sauce. Where is cook who made that? Me and baby found new cooking daddy.

Baby Says:Sorry Papa san, Mama san is the boss. You steak never this good. Bye Bye.

Dragon Palace

The Grand Opening is coming up soon. The new sign is up. I will post some night pictures when I get them.

Dragon Palace is located in Dalton, Georgia. Dragon Palace has been serving fine chinese cuisine to the North Georgia area since 1976. If you are ever in the area, you should check it out. Some of my menu favorites are their home-made Egg Rolls, Seafood Fried Rice, Shrimp in Shell and Rob's Special.

Thanks to Debs for the picts.

Doggie Picture : So In Love

"Mocha + Ball = Love"

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Holy Guacamole

Avocados will keep skin glowing, says Nicholas Perricone, M.D., author of The Wrinkle Cure (Warner Books). They contain nourishing monosaturated fats and antioxidants that moisturize dry skin and may prevent wrinkles.

-Suzanne Murray

Japan Sign #3

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Doggie Picture : Sit...Stay

"Sit...Stay"

Weekend Dog Blogging: Check out all the great doggie pictures over at Sweetnicks.

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Pan at 38 weeks

Any day now. I am ready. Pan is ready. My subconscious is ready. I actually dream about changing diapers. Uhmm...did anyone see where I put my water?

Song of the Day: "Junior Kickstart", The Go! Team

Rain Boots

As I was putting the leashes on to the doggie's collars, on a rainy Saturday morning.

Pan: Grab my Boobs.

[Blink, Blink] I stared at her for a few silent seconds, not believing what I just heard. Doing as I was told, I proceeded to cup both her breasts.

Now Pan stared at me with a look of amazement. After a few seconds, she figured out what I was up to.

Pan: I said Boots, Fool, Boots.

The World's Drinking Problem

Our growing preference for bottled water is hazardous to the plant's health, says a new Earth Policy Institute report. Americans alone drank 7 billion gallons of the stuff in 2004, and worldwide consumption has more than doubled in just six years. To bottle and ship a year's worth of bottled water to the U.S., companies such as PepsiCo and Danone burn 1.5 million barrels of oil, enough to fuel 100,000 cars for a year. Almost 90 percent of the plastic bottles end up in landfills, where they can take up to 1,000 years to biodegrade. The study says that bottle water costs 10,000 more than tap water-and is often more expensive, per gallon, than gasoline.

Corned Beef, Its Whats For St. Pats

Two things I gotta have on St. Patricks Day, Corned Beef and Guinness. Corned Beef is a Irish American dish which is not really eaten in Ireland. Kinda like all those rolls at the sushi restaurant. Even so, this is something I like to make for St. Pats, plus it means I get to make Corned Beef Hash the next morning.


2 lbs Corned Beef
2 Tbsp Pickling Spice
1 Guinness

1.Place rinsed corned beef in pot. Add Guinness, Pickling Spice, and water to cover by 2 inches.
2.Bring to a boil, lower hear to a slow simmer. Cook 1 hour per pound.
3.Serve immediately.

Note: If using vegetables (cabbage, carrots, potatoes, etc.), add 30 minutes before completion.


I served my corned beef, sliced and placed on top of a dijon horseradish gravy with broccoli and steamed rice. I saved about 1/4 of the corned beef for hash in the morning (bonus!).

Did You Know...Guinness

Guinness Stout is the happy result of a wily brewmaster's tax dodge, says Greg Kitsock in The Washington Post. back in the 19th century, Arthur Guinness Jr. tried to save money by skimping on highly taxed barley malt. Instead, he substituted about 10 percent of the barley malt with untaxed, roasted, unmalted barley. That pinch of roasted barley "gives Guinness its color and its burnt, coffee-like flavor with an acidic note to the finish."

Guinness measures 4.2 percent alcohol by volume, and has 125 calories per 12-ounce serving. Budweiser, by contrast, is about 5 percent alcohol and has 147 calories.

Happy St. Patricks Day

I received a phone call this morning at 4am from someone in Savannah. I did not get up to answer and did not know until later this morning where the call orginated [(912) area code]. I can only guess who it might be from. 7am over there. About the time the parade gathers at Forysth Park. Horses, trailers, helicopters, marching band, green dye in the fountains, green dye in the beer.

250,000 people who don't know how to drink, gathering together..to drink.

The only thing missing...is me, a back-pack with a big plastic bottle of Old Crow...Good Times! To all my peeps still in Savannah and to the sorry ass who called me this morning at 4am from Savannah...Happy St. Patricks Day, and have a pint for me!

All I want for Christmas

For those friends and family that do not know what to get me for Christmas. [Hint, Hint]

Slang : Intaxication

Intaxication: Euphoria at getting a tax refund, which lasts until you realize it was your money to start with.

Japan Sign #2

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Pan Cooks : Hanbaagu

I am always excited when Pan decides to cook. Pan is a wonderful cook. She just doesn't cook very often or often enough in my opinion. Japanese comfort food is her specialty.


Tonight was Hanbaagu with Oven Roasted Asaparagus topped with a Diakon Dressing. This was served with a Mixed Green Salad topped with Walnuts and Smoked Gouda and Steamed Organic Short Grain Rice.

Co-worker Quote of the Day

You can't fix stupid.

In-N-Out Burger

I remember the first time I tried In-N-Out. I was visiting my grandparents in Los Angeles (I was living in Georgia at the time). Late one night, Si and I pull up to the drive through, I remember seeing the In-N-Out signs when I was younger but never having a chance to try. The old school locations do not have inside seating like they do today. Drive thru and maybe two outside patio tables.

We get back to the house with our loot. Si took the liberty of ordering since I had never had a In-N-Out burger before. Double Double, "Animal Style". OH MY GAWD. My eyes rolled into the back of my head. I closed my eyes with every bite to really savor all the wonderful flavors. I just could not believe a fast food burger could be this good.

Ever since that moment, I have been hooked. Since In-N-Outs are only located in the West Coast (California. Nevada and Arizona), the joke in Georgia was to have Si overnight me a Double Double, "Animal Style".

I have also gone through some phases when it comes to In-N-Out. Double Double "Animal Style". Four by Four "Animal Style", back to Double Double "Animal Style", Double Double "Protein Style", back to Double Double "Animal Style".


Now what do I order? Single Single "Animal Style" and Single Single "Protein Style", both with extra pickles. Oh and fresh cut Fries with a side of spread (they started charging extra for "Animal Style" fries).

Random Photo : Mass Transit in Japan

Pan on the bus in Yokohama, 2002

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Japan Sign #1

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Quick Fix : Pizza 2

I have been trying to compile some simple to make meals in preparation for after the arrival of the baby. With the endless diaper changing and feeding, I wanted to keep meal prep to a minimum. As stated with my previous pizza post, premade pizzadough makes a simple and inexpensive meal. Toppings are usually whatever I have on hand.

1 Package of Trader Joe's Garlic Herb Pizza Dough
1 Jar Trader Joes Pizza Sauce
8 oz Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
1 Fresh Tomamto
4 oz Crimini Mushrooms, sliced
2-4 oz Frozen Tiger Shrimp, Thawed, drained
2-4 oz Spinach, chopped

Directions:
1.Prep dough.


Take dough from package and place in a floured bowl, cover with a damp kitchen towel, and let sit in a warm area for 30 minutes, up to 2 hours. This is to let the dough get room temp and rise one more time.

2.Preheat oven to 500 degrees.
3.Grease pizza pan.
4.Stretch dough to desired size and thickness, top with a thin layer of sauce and then a layer of cheese.


5.Bake for 5-8 minutes. Check the bottom of pizza to make sure it has set.


6.Place toppings and place pizza back in oven directly on the oven rack. Cook for 3-5 minutes.

*If the bottom is not set or too thin, pizza will fall through the rack. In these instances, cook pizza on the pizza pan


I like this combination. The shrimp, fresh tomato and spinach gave a light feel, while the mushroom was earthy.

Doggie Picture : Good Times

"Buddy + Grass = Good Times"

Weekend Dog Blogging: Check out all the great doggie pictures over at Sweetnicks.

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Pan at 37 weeks

We had a false alarm this past week. I was at work. Pan called, I froze, like a deer in headlights, Cool Hand Luke I was not. Mind went blank and I almost peed myself.

Song of the Day: "Boy Named Sue", Johnny Cash

Random Photo: Starts Wars

Slang : Moose Knuckle

The male version of a Camel Toe. Usually found on older rotund gentlemen wearing a suit.

Did You Know...Spinach

Fresh spinach loses half its folate and carotenoids just a week after picking. To keep spinach longer than a few days, buy frozen.

Its easier for your body to absorb the iron and calcium in spinach when it's served cooked.

Elephant Shoos Now Open!

© copyright 2006 ElephantShoos.com

Check out Gzus's online store. The illustrations are produce in all sizes, even infant sizes. I just received one for my baby! The site is still a work in progress, but is live and sample illustrations are up.

Copper at Boltcity.com

© copyright 2006 Kazu Kibuishi

The new Copper comic is up. Check it out at boltcity.com.
Copper is one of my favorite online comics.

Trip : Los Angeles 03-05-06

We decided to make a day trip to Los Angeles this Sunday. We figured that it would be our last opportunity to get outta town before the baby is born.

We loading the car, got some breakfast and hit the road early. Traffic was light. To state the obvious, Los Angeles doesn't seem so bad when there is no traffic and congestion.

We meet Winnie Agoo, Chunky Rice, Gzus & Crystal, and Anna & Nugget at NBC restaurant for dim sum in Monterey Park. The food was pretty tastey. I have now had dim sum at ABC, CBS and now NBC...can wait to try FOX and UPS...what were they thinking with the names?

It occurred to me that we are close to Alahambra. After a phone call for directions, we headed to a place I have been longing to visit since my last trip to Los Angeles...


(Can you guess based on the sign?)


I was like a kid in a candy store. Vinyls, graphic novels, limited run t-shirts and more. I was a little dissapointed that the gallery area was closed, but to my surprise, one of my favorite on-line comic artist, Kazu of boltcity.com, was teaching a Graphic Narrative Workshop.


Here are the two goodies I picked up. Drinky Crow vinyl and Flight Volumne 1. I have been wanting both items for a while and was not disappointed.

Random Doodle : Buddy Sleep

"Sleep..."

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Doggie Picture : My Posse

"My Posse"

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