BLOG

Saturday, May 30

Last Photos Before Flight Home: Cousins & Emi Say “So Long”

---

Friday, May 29

Janae & Emi Play a Piano Duet

---

Thursday, May 28

Strengthening Family: Cousins Meet Again For the “First” Time

Memorial Weekend 2009 was indeed memorable, as we flew to visit my cousins in Maryland. I love all my cousins, but there's a special relationship between Janae and me, both 21 months, as we're just four days apart in age! We've seen each other previously, although given our age it felt like we've just met for the first time. Janae and I had fun, hanging around each other all weekend! Of course there were times when we would fight and scream, especially if we wanted the same toy to play with, but that only served to strengthen our bond. Hopefully I'll remember Janae the next time we see each other. Otherwise we'll have to meet each other again for the first time.






Photo-activity dates May 23 & 24. Top: Janae & I, best cousins! Middle: On Sunday morning before a dim sum lunch we both fought for this car; although I grabbed the seat first, I know it wasn't nice. Janae, please accept my apologies. Bottom: After dim sum, making up with cousin Janae, *kiss* *hug*.

---

Wednesday, May 27

May 27: Today in History

1703: St. Petersburg is founded by Peter the Great
1923: Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger is born in Germany
1937: San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge opens to traffic
1941: German warship Bismarck is sunk by British Navy
2009: Emi Hsu takes first shower (as opposed to bath), assisted by Mommy


Photo-activity date: May 27, just after my first shower with Mommy. It was a good experience, but I wouldn't mind going back to a conventional bath tomorrow.

---

Monday, May 18

Best Friends Mall Shots

Just this past weekend Daddy & I were walking at the Fashion Square Mall close by my home. Mommy was at the movies with her girlfriends (watching Angels and Demons) so Daddy felt that the mall was the best indoor place to entertain and let me run around while waiting for her (it was a muggy hot day outside!). While cruising the stores we stumbled across one of those instant-type photo booths, the one you also see at tourist spots. Attracted by its black curtains, I decided to play inside and Daddy thought, why not take one of those sets of pictures that couples or best friends do, just for fun.

We sat in the booth, consisting of a video monitor and a camera just below it. I loved the little controls that were also inside allowing us to choose a few options regarding color or B&W, etc. Daddy put in three dollar bills (it was cool to see that machine just gobble up the money) and to my delight, we saw ourselves on display! We were given four shots, as you can see on the right.

Developing time was not long, and a strip consisting of two sets of four photographs came out of the chute in about three minutes. As you can see these are not great quality photographs (the price you pay for three bucks and three minutes!) Nonetheless, it was fun to spend some quality bonding time with Daddy - I've got the pictures to prove it!

---

Tuesday, May 12

This City Playground is Calling My Name

This just in: Emi's World now reviews playgrounds! Just as golfers enjoy playing on different courses or food critics savor critiquing a just-opened restaurant, I like checking out a new playground whenever I can. Why not write a review so I can share with others? A couple of weekends ago, our Sabbath School class held a picnic luncheon after church at Lake Lily Park, a few miles north of our church. This was my first time. Food was good, but playground was even better. See caption below for my critique.








Photo-activity details: Taken on April 25 at Lake Lily Park, Maitland Florida. Being in nice church clothes does not deter me from getting down and dirty on this wonderful children's playground. Features: Close to train tracks (I like to wave to Amtrak passengers), interactive submarine-type tube, toddler's swing, playground is largely surrounded by safety fence to make supervision easier.  Downsides: Very close to restroom, but no noticeable odors. Emi's World Rating: «««« (of 5 stars)

---

Monday, May 11

Graffiti Artist-in-Training

Now that I've sung my mother's praises (see yesterday's blog), it's back to the usual mischief! Ha ha, not really - this type of graffiti, as bad as it sounds, has my parent's blessing. We use kids' outdoor sidewalk chalk that easily washes away. The chalk was a gift from neighbor friends of ours that have two boys of their own. So, scribble away! One of word of caution - do not let us use indoors unless you enjoy washing furniture.




Photo-activity date: May 9. Outdoor temperature was 95°F (35°C) an Orlando record for this day. Top: In the relative cool of our back porch, I draw shapes and scribbles with the help of yi-yi (aunt) Ashlyn (she drew the star). Bottom: Chin and hands chalked up, making graffiti on our sitting wall.

---

Sunday, May 10

A Mama's Day Verse from Her Daughter Emi


Dear Mama,

Today's a Special Day for you
It should be every day
But here's a verse to let you know
I love you in every way

You give your everything for me
I could only name a few
Bathing, feeding, and nurturing
shows your heart is true

Sometimes my love seems not so cool
I cry and stomp and scream
Yet let a short few minutes pass
to me seems like a dream

So though I don't quite comprehend
the love you've given me
Just know that deep deep down inside
I love you best I can be

Happy Mother's Day! I love you,

Emi

---

Thursday, May 7

School Days: An Angel or Movie Celebrity?

My blogs disproportionately detail my activities on the weekday evenings and on weekends. Naturally my parents aren't around to document my time spent in school. Yet I spend more of my waking hours in school then I do at home.

School is important. I develop many of my social skills there. We learn to share and to interact with my fellow toddlers. Of course, not all those skills are what my folks consider advantageous. When I yell "mine, mine!" my parents blamed daycare. "We never taught her that," Daddy chimes.

Of course, it's not just about learning. We have fun at school. Over the last few months, our teachers took photos of us in various poses. For Valentine's Day we dressed up like angels, I guess so my parents could see the heavenly side of me. One particularly fun shoot was Hollywood Photos, taken last month about the time of the Oscars. All photos are printed and pasted up on the wall outside our classroom for all to see. After a period of time, they are removed and given to my folks, who wanted to share them with you.




Photo-activity dates: February & March. Scanned on a Canon Pixma MP530. Top: Dressed  as an angel, lovely as can be. Although it looks like a professional backdrop, this photo was actually taken in the bathroom of our classrom. Bottom: Hollywood glamour shoot. Yes, I'll take these glasses, as long as they remain fashionable.