Charlie bit my finger - again !

This is such a cute video!!

Snowing in London

In the 4 months I've been in London, I've experienced some strange weather. August was the 'gloomiest' (defined as fewest hours of sunlight) in the past 40+ years in London. Then things turned completely around and we had a very nice and warm September.

One October evening after my Investments final, it snowed! It hadn't snowed in London in October in 40+ years (I'm not making up this 40+ thing). Then yesterday it snowed again.

Jackie said it only snowed once or twice in the 4 years she lived in London. So I guess I have been lucky or unlucky (depending on your point of view). I was walking both times when it snowed but I enjoyed it because it is a lot better than walking in the rain (which I have experienced numerous times over the last 4 months).

I'll be back in sunny California in 27 days!!!

Chimpanzee rides Segway-

I was laughing so hard at the video, because Di-di is just as mischievous and fearless as this chimpanzee!!


Chimpanzee rides Segway @ Yahoo! Video

Diwali

Diwali, also known as the 'Festival of Lights', is the biggest celebration in India. During the 5 days of celebration people light fireworks, share gifts, and eat sweets. I was told it is somewhat similar to what Christmas is in the U.S. and Europe.

The India club hosted a Diwali celebration this past Friday night. We had excellent Indian food, and Bollywood dancing. It was so much fun. Here are some pics.

New Nickname

I took my first final last week. The subject was Investments and I did very well on the midterm so I studied hard hoping to get an A+ in the class. The exam went smoothly except for one question and I felt pretty good when I walked out of the exam. But after discussing the questions with my classmates I don't think I did well enough to get an A+. Right now I will be very satisfied with an A.

On a related topic, one of my classmates called out to me after the exam..."Hey A+ come over here". I guess I'll enjoy the reputation until my grade comes out and my classmates realize I didn't get one.

Girls Rule!!

I have mentioned that baby girl Ra is already bilingual at 18 months young while Di-di is still babbling at 2 1/2.
Here's another girl that kicks Di-di's butt. Di-di is so SCARED of hair wash that my cousin had to FedEx shower hats from Taiwan for him. Now look at my cousin's Mei-mei (19 months young)... she is getting her hair washed in style with a big smile on her face! :)

Day Trip to San Francisco

Ok.. I am really behind on my blog duty!! On Oct 23, we took a day trip to San Francisco to meet Ri, H and their baby girl Ra. Ra was also referred to Ri and H by the same hospital who delivered Di-di, so both Ra and Di-di were born in Tainan County. The family flew out here to visit us from Boston.

We had lunch at the Rain Forest Cafe, the food was great and the kids loved the fish tanks, the waterfall and animal-themed decoration. After lunch, we walked around Fisherman's Wharf, and Pier 39. Di-di and Ra were mesmerized by the sea lions at Pier 39 and spent a lot time just staring at them. At 18 months old, Ra is very smart and bilingual already!! We were sad to say good bye to Ri, H and Ra by 3:30PM to beat the traffic out of SF. However, we were so happy to see them in SF and hope to visit them in Boston soon!!

(Ra teaching Di-di how to read..:)

H is the most patient mother I have EVER met. I picked up some good parenting tips from her. I noticed that she always talked Ra about what she was doing and Ra seemed to understand her. I don't remember the exact words that H said to Ra, but it seemed that Ra didn't throw any temper tantrums and was always calm. I have been practicing this on Di-di and was amazed by the results. For example, a couple of times when Di-di was very upset over not getting his way, I just took extra time to whisper into his ear and kept talking to him calmly and "explaining" things. I am sure Di-di probably didn't understand a word I said, but it worked to calm him down!! Thank you H!!!