Author: chungwipff

I received BOTH of these in the mail yesterday.

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 The truth is, advertisers are always gathering information on you. When you shop at Target, Walmart, online retail and the grocery store, they collect your data and then you get like-minded coupons and ads in the mail (real and virtual). Once in awhile, they go “phishing” and send you baby-related items. Why? Because it’s the biggest moneymaker in their business.

If you’re having  a baby, you need all KINDS of items and new parents are generally too sleep-deprived to drive further for a good deal or to pay attention to reduced items. Also, if you’re running to the store to get diapers, you might as well stock up on wipes, ointments, formula and onesies because who knows when you’ll get out of the house again? Retailers know that once they have you in the store, they HAVE you.

So. They’re phishing.

But, no babies here.

Go fish!

Investments

“An act of devoting time, effort, or energy to a particular undertaking with the expectation of a worthwhile result.” Dictionary.com

 

We don’t hesitate to put a portion of our income into investment vehicles because we have faith that making the sacrifice will pay off in the future.

We don’t hesitate to enroll our children in music or sports because we know that the payoff will be great.

We don’t hesitate to support our spouses by cooking healthy meals, lending an ear and giving words of encouragement.

But…

When it comes to paying tuition, taking the courses for a degree or going for that dream job, mothers tend to look at the cost to the family and consider it too “expensive.” They say, “Not now, it’s not the right time.”  Moms often don’t look at it as investment for the self.

I was talking to a good friend of mine who told me about her “dream job.” This job is just one rung away. She’s hard-working, super smart and talented. She just needs to take a test and pass it. Taking the test costs a fee. “Well, I think I should wait until the job becomes vacant. Then I’ll take the test. I don’t know that it’s a wise use of money right now.”

What?

Have you ever heard a man say that?

Invest in yourself. It’s not selfish. It’s your obligation.

 

Garmin Vivofit Review

After a few months of considering fitness trackers, I finally made my decision. There are so many out there and I wasn’t sure I really *needed* one. I really don’t NEED one. This is a First World issue, let’s be clear. I eat well, I exercise 6x/week…why the desire for a fitness tracker?

I wanted to know my stats. As I age, I’ve become hyper aware of changes metabolically.  What’s my heart rate? Resting pulse? Calories burned?

Ugh. Ego.

Willey purchased this for me for Mother’s Day. Early.  How did he know? Wink, wink, nudge, nudge.  I am very happy with it and have had two – no, three – unexpected benefits from it.  Aside from learning my heart rate is at an optimum level for exercise and my age, I can see how much sleep I had the night before. And as I track it, it has become very clear to me that I need 8 hours for an excellent day and that I rarely sleep 8. Let’s get more sleep, people!

Secondly, the red bar across the top warns me when I’ve been sedentary for an hour. This doesn’t happen often, but when I see the red bar, I get Opal and go for a walk. I am definitely more active in general now that it’s on my wrist.

Thirdly, it’s a watch. I used to search my bag for my phone to check the time. Now I check it old school (sort of)!

Cleaning is a must – I wash it with damp, soapy rag and wipe it down with a dry cloth. I also use some alcohol. Here is a great (short) video on the proper way to clean your fitness devices from Live Science: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEylhRZSuOc

Don’t forget to clean your chest strap, too.

“Mom, it’s ugly.”

“I don’t care. It does what I want.” I refuse to spend an extra $100 for aesthetics!

If you’re on the fence about getting one, I think you don’t have to spend a lot and your dog will thank you.

 

Yooni

To my mother, who, (like so many other moms), is one of the most understated human beings around.

My mother embraced a new country as a young adult. She worked hard to learn the language and the customs. For her, coming from South Korea to America was probably even harder than our move from San Francisco to Arizona. Probably.

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She couldn’t drive, so she walked. A lot. She was alone must of the time, because my father was working and going to school simultaneously. My sister was born 11 months after me, so you can imagine how challenging her life was at this time.

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She learned to love pan pizza and Michael Jackson. She listened with open ears and heart to our “rock music.” Boy George fascinated her (“Really, he’s man? Not woman?”) She had – and still has – an eye for style and fashion. She can sew better than any professional I know.

Yooni emulated naughty boys we saw in the malls and amusement parks. They threw up their middle fingers and  muttered expletives. At times, she wanted to express her frustration and anger so she would raise her fist (with no finger projection) and yell, “Fist up!”

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My mother eventually learned how to drive and she drove us to cello, piano, violin lessons and concerts. She drove us to our Tae Kwon Do lessons. She cooked amazing meals and did all the cleaning. She wanted to hold a “real” job, but it never happened.

But she has held several volunteer jobs. The most recent one was as an assistant at an Alzheimer’s home. She pushed wheelchairs, changed bedding and spoke with residents. These residents rarely remembered anything day-to-day, but because my mother treated them with kindness and respect, many would light up when they saw her. They would hold her hand and call her friend. My favorite story is about one man with severe Alzheimer’s who never had visitors. Not a single friend or relative ever came to see him. He didn’t have many clothes and his undershirts were starting to yellow. My mother went to Macy’s and bought him several undershirts. Her co-worker told me this story. My mother never brags. It’s a special person who would do this for a “stranger.” But to do this for a stranger who won’t remember her or her kindness? My mother is an exceptional human being and I am so grateful for her.

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I’m also grateful for these goofballs:

girls in crib

girls floating

 

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Elections from Kids’ POV

 

Our school just held Student Council officer elections this week. Classes voted yesterday and we identified our winners by the end of the day.

One thing that struck me throughout the week of campaigning was how CLASSY the kids were. These were 12 and 13 year olds. They wanted to be school President, Vice President, Secretary, Historian and Treasurer. Each one made posters (most decorated them themselves) and they were funny and witty.

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NONE called their opponents names. Instead, they focused on the positive: they shared their visions of making our awesome school even better. They wrote speeches. They were nervous wrecks as they recorded them and they did it despite knowing the entire school would see them on the broadcast system. They did it, dreading the fact that by running for office, they left themselves vulnerable to criticism and defeat. I wanted every one of them to win, but of course, that’s not possible. I was excited to announce the winners, but I also dreaded breaking young, hopeful hearts.

The candidates were an eclectic bunch: nerds, athletic nerds, new-to-school kids and popular kids. The popular kids didn’t always win.

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Each candidate focused on giving the student body what they wanted. They promised to listen. They shared personal information  (“I have two sisters  and a dog. I love watching movies and eating ice cream.”) They were so scared, that a few shared how nervous they were giving the speech DURING the speech. One of the candidates sang her entire speech acapella. They read their qualifications and it sounded like a list of Over Achievers Anonymous: Science Fair winners, Eagle Scouts, Straight A students, Star Soccer player, and on and on.

I don’t doubt that most of our American Presidential candidates really want to help America. But I wonder where our election process is going. Billions of dollars are spent on campaigns for an election that has been named “A Race to the Bottom.” Certain candidates have made allusions to gender, sexual body parts and trophy wives. They have mocked each other’s intelligence and looks. They lie and disregard fact-checking.  In my social studies class, I wanted to utilize this year’s election in the classroom by taking candidates’ speeches and having students analyze them. To my dismay, I couldn’t do that (in a bipartisan platform, anyway). Must of what was bantered about was X-rated!

As I spoke to the candidates, I expressed how extremely proud of them I was and how I wished that adults could handle their campaigns in the same smart and mature way. They smiled. They knew what I meant.

I really hope that our young students grow up and remain full of enthusiasm and integrity. I have faith that they will.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Opportunity Cost

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Purchasing something used but in good to excellent condition is wise when it comes to houses and cars. If you buy wisely (location, location, location!),  and invest in a kitchen or bathroom makeover, your house might even raise in value. A brand new car driven off the lot can depreciate up to a full 11%!*

However, if you purchase a used car or home and it then it has you running for repairs frequently, it is no longer a bargain. The money you saved in the initial sale is being poured post-transaction. And there is the silent, but insidious opportunity cost: time. The time you spend running to the mechanic instead of oh…I don’t know…writing your blog or short story,perhaps. Or, maybe the cost is the stress of rushing to work post-mechanic instead of drinking your coffee and planning your day. These are big opportunity costs!

I’m just saying…if you saved a lot of money on the three cars you own, and all three breakdown at the same time, it might be that your opportunity costs outweigh the initial savings and maybe – just maybe – it’s time to make a change.

 

 

 

 

*https://www.trustedchoice.com/insurance-articles/wheels-wings-motors/car-depreciation/

The Mesa Arts Center

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Our daughters’ MYS concerts are held quarterly downtown in the Mesa Arts Center in the Piper Theater. This place astounds us each time with the vibrancy and creativity of local artists. Here are a few pianos that were out a couple months ago.

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Art inspires creativity in the viewer/listener,

it sparks dialogue,

and requires dedication,

focus and faith

To all artists everywhere: keep creating!

 

 

 

 

 

The Great Tarantula Hawk

Arizona Tarantula Hawk
Arizona Tarantula Hawk

I took Opal out for a walk yesterday. I don’t usually walk with my phone, but I was glad I had it!   The Arizona Tarantula Hawk is supposed to have the most painful sting of all living things in the entire  United States!

If you get stung, don’t worry. The chances of dying are very small – you’ll just want to die.

For more information, check out this link: http://www.desertusa.com/insects/tarantula-hawks.html

Immigrant – Outsider – Newcomer – Foreigner – Alien

 

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You came from a war-torn country

to get a job here
and to start a family
you attended university and held
three jobs
fatigue, stress, discrimination
As the years went by, despite
– the eggs and toilet paper on our house
– the “chinky chinky China” sing-song following me home
– and the ostracization of neighbors and peers
we are so grateful to be American