Bowling update 12-10-07

Hi Folks,
looks like the Sam-Train is back on track. haha

things were good this week for bowling

225

201

210



total series 636

for a 212 average over 3 games.

that's 2 weeks in a row of 600 series or better.



Anyhow i made some adjustments just a little late, but the strike zone is there right now.



ttyl



Sam

How much is that duckie in the window?

Hi,
one of the other realtors at my office is a proprietor of chinese take out. I knew he would know where to get good duck from.

He told me of this place called Q&Q Live poultry market.
(link has video)
1120 spring garden st, phila pa 19123
215-763-0230


He told me they prepare fresh.

well, i didn't know how fresh until I got there.

you literally, pick the live one from the cage, they weigh them right there, and you get the ducks , cleaned and ready to roast in a bag. Instant request, instant slaughter, for real.

they have male and female ducks. males are apparently bigger and yield more meat.

Anyhow, i chose 2 females. $16.00 each.

they have turkeys during the holiday season.

they also advertise they are Halal if you have religious restrictions.

See the images below for more info and a map.



Fresh duck! baby!

Sam

Actual Recipe for Peking Duck

Hi,
just for the sake of anyone trying to make peking duck at home

Ingredients:
1. young duckling.
2. Brown sugar (you can use the splenda blended brown sugar too)
3. Sea Salt, or Kosher Salt
4. Hoisin Sauce (doest have to be that brand , easy to find at asian supermarket, so even main stream supermarkets in asian section, where they sell ramen and other asian foods)


5. Garlic (i prefer fresh minced garlic, this is also sold at asian supermarkets in the refrigerated sections)
6. Pancakes: again, can be found in asian supermarket in frozen section near egg roll wrappers. for those who want hot fresh pancakes, there are a couple easy recipes. apparently easier to make than toritillas.
7. Green Onions. at least 1 bundle.

Other materials needed
1. 2.5 gallon slider bags
2. Beer can chicken holder

you need this to hold the duck in the middle of the big easy.

Note on asian supermarkets, if you live in a metro area where you know lots of asians live, but you can't find one, do a yellow pages search on for "asian supermarket"
this chain has a lot of locations around the USA.

ok, duck prep, if it is frozen, then de-melt in fridge 1 day before
take duck out of bag, and take out giblets from insides section
rinse with water and pat down with paper towel

Brine: this is the key process that helps all poultry stay nice and moist. No more dry breasts baby!
enough about breasts

In the 2.5 gallon bag, place duck at bottom
in Big mixing cup or bowl, but 4 tablespoons of brown sugar and water and mix until solublized and pour into bag
Place 4 tablespoons of salt into cup, and 2 tablespoons of garlic
Add water
and mix up, pour into bag.
You can also add some soy sauce, but i am always worried about things turning out too salty. but it hasnt yet.

Test, deviate a little, its ok.

Seal bag, and but into large mixing bowl , just in case it leaks. Another good tip is to use large binder clips from staples or wherever to close up all the extra space in the slider bag. Also get all the air out, that way your bird stays submerged better.



Other big easy users and briners have also used large coolers to store their birds during the brining process, this is ok, but you have to also pack ice into the cooler, because, it must be under a certain temp to avoid spoilage, and all of your guest getting the runs or something worse. food safety is key.

Ok, day of cooking, pull duck out of bag, pour out brine. i think it gross to reuse this for something else. it has served its purpose, so down the drain.

I put the underside opening onto the beer can rack, and center in grilling basket.

The drip tray will get a lot of oil dripping off. If you want some user have put food safe aluminum pans to catch the drip for gravies. I guess you could try making some soap with the lard, if you had the time or motivation. Duck soap, yeah... haha

I use the meat thermometer, and stick into the breast part.
pasted from USDA.gov
scroll down to the middle of the page and you see this answer:

Can Safely Cooked Duck and Goose Be Pink?
Cooked muscle meats can be pink even when the meat has reached a safe minimum internal temperature. If fresh duck or goose has reached a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 °F as measured with a food thermometer, even though it may still be pink in the center, it should be safe. The pink color can be due to the cooking method or added ingredients. For reasons of personal preference, consumers may choose to cook poultry to higher temperatures.

It should be safe, the US government telling me something should be safe...? cook that bird to 175. Safety first...

I tried a peanut oil rub on my turkey for thanksgiving, but the duck i didnt. why? i didnt want to over crisp it or burn the skin

Fire up the big easy and watch and wait.
a good product plug


looks dorky, but when you are grilling at night, its good to spot the temp gauge, and keeping your hands free.

once duck is done, which takes a nice 25 to 30 mins, carve the duck. the breast creates most of the meat yield. the SKIN, you must try and carve all the duck skin, with some meat. But still get all the skin.

I found that the legs and drumsticks get dry on all poultry i've done. its common in the big easy, since they are exposed and smallish. any suggestions for keeping wings and drums nicer for eating?

keeping food handling gloves around is good to get all the meat off the carcass. It feels pretty primal to tear apart a bird. You didn't hunt it down or anything, but you don't have to deal with shotgun duckshot either.

Some of the meat will look a little pink, but its cooked. If scared, then nuke it for 30 seconds just to stun it to your liking.

the duck yields enough meat for 4 people. and i would say 3 for some big eaters.
I would recommend against eating a whole duck by yourself because the hoisin sauce is pretty sweet and i think too much of a good thing, can make you nauseous

the pancakes frozen take 1 or 2 mins in the microwave, and come out nice. Or use above mentioned recipes.
Me and my wife are frugal(cheap), so we slice all the pancakes in half and use semicircle pancakes that way we get more servings. a whole pancake is too much dough, and not enough duck. at the restaurant this helps because they want to charge you for extra pancakes.

beforehand you can slice the green onion. You want to slice the onion in 3 to 4 inch pieces first, then run your knife down the long way to split the pieces. Also green onion is consumed raw, so no steaming or cooking these.

If you eat peking duck at the restaurant, the green onion interaction is key to complete the flavor.

get a 1/2 pancake, spoon some of the hoisin sauce, place 1 or 2 pieces of nice duck, a couple strips of green onion, wrap, and eat. repeat, repeat, enjoy

Soup is a nice compliment.
Fried rice
i hear some wines really compliment, the duck flavor.
I would expect nice lagers will go well with it too.

my mother in law doesnt like to waste, so the giblets, carcass and all bones, make a nice celery and duck broth for the next day.

Anyhow, that is pretty much it.

And i think the satisfaction of seeing how much duck meat actually comes out from a whole duck is nice. what you get charged for at the restaurant is really a crime. Only sang kee in philly brings extra duck meat out in a dish called duck with snow peas and XO sauce, but you have to fish around for little morsels of duck.

i think this recipe helps bring more utility to the big easy, and in home dining enjoyment.

Say to someone: Hey wanna come over for dinner? I am making duck. who says no to duck?

Big Easy, is literally big easy.

CB from a pro grilling website has a nice recipe as well for duck

Chef Sam :)

Bowling update

Hi
Yesterday was first day bowling since my mom passed

It was pretty good
256 the first game with 9 strikes in a row
But I had 2 open frames to start
If not it would have been higher

2nd game was 190
And 3rd was 210

256 series is best yet

All dedicated to mom chon

Sam

Juicy Breasts!

Everyone knows I am leg man, mainly because i find breasts to be dry and flavorless.

Well now things have changed



I recently did some research about a turkey fryer. I thought i needed to get an oil one, well, i found this little do hicky contraption.

it uses something called infrared technology. the wave heats the surface of what it hits, but not the air. cool.

but the key was something called brining.

Get2.5 gallon slider bags

Wash bird or meat, dry off with paper towel. put into bag. add seasoning like sea salt, brown sugar, garlic, cumin. etc etc. i used soy sauce for turkey and chicken

put into fridge or cooler. you still need a cold source, so use ice or ice packs.
wait 24 hours.

take bird out, put into fryer, turn it up, use enclosed thermometer, and when it hits target, stop heat, carve and eat.

SO easy. and SO SO juicy.

it has a drip pan to catch all juice, to save for gravy.

12 lb turkey done in 1.5 hours.
2 lb roast beef done in 1 hour
1.5 lb DUCK about 30 mins.

this is a picture of the duck, skin came out so nice, and alot more meat than what you pay for when you get a whole duck at chinatown.



get some frozen pancake from the asian grocery, hoisin sauce, and green onions baby!

and again, NO BURNS< NO SPLATTER.

another good link for a professional griller who uses the big easy

enjoy!

Sam

In rememberance....

Hi,

From the first day that we found out about my mother's cancer until her passing, and even now, We are all changed for the better.

I am a little bitter towards the HMO system, but the system doesn't have feelings, so I think I am ok with that.

Otherwise, i observed deep changes in my mother's personality. Not that she had given up, but her eyes were opened to the things that matter. She was even more thankful for everytime we visited, and every kiss that my daughter gave her. I was thankful to see that when people came to pray for her, they came away encouraged. I believe she knew she was going to be an example to others on how to face death. Her supreme faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ gave her that strength.

Even until the final days we read the Psalms together. Me and my wife would read it to her in Korean language. it was like the Saturdays at our old Lantern lane house, when my mom would force us to learn Korean from the old school difficult translation of the bible. She had a stick in one hand, and the bible in the other. Trust me, we learnt the old school way!

At first, i thought it was just a nice gesture, then i realized, she enjoyed it. I would ask her what that word meant, or how to pronounce that word. She enjoyed giving me coaching until the end.

My life has been changed. I will no longer apply myself to futile pursuits for the sake of pleasing others or the worldly accolades.

I will apply my whole being into become the best person I can be, and to fulfill the path that the Lord has set before me. My mother did her best in the first 32 years of my life to shape, teach and mold me with her life experiences. So, i know i won't become some professional lump on a log. When i lovingly continue to contribute to Eleanor's life, I will do it while remembering my mother. When we make financial decisions and business choices, I will do it while remembering the wisdom of my mother. when i try to be a good husband to my wife sora, I will think about the unending devotion my mom had to my father, and apply that to my actions and thoughts.

If i could say something to anyone who still has their parent(s) with them, tell them you love them. Even if you have bitterness towards them. (try to forgive them at some point) Call them every weekend. the cell phone minutes are free. When they complain about some physical ailment, force them to go to the hospital and be at the appointment if possible, and be a bulldog with the primary care physician. If they say it's nothing, then ask for a referral anyway, it doesnt' cost them anything, and actually it becomes the specialist problem, ask them, do you want to see me again? all doctors had a rotation in Psychology, use it on them!

We can't turn back the clock. I regret, not being more aggressive with my mother's doctor. YES doctors are people too... but you are the client. The doctor will forgive you. If they are bitter, then change providers, its quite easy. your HMO bill doesnt go up if you change doctors.

i want to also acknowledge my sister through all of this. She did so many of the hard tough things with my mom. She is not a morning person, yet she woke up so many days and took care of the hard stuff. Its hard changing the undergarmets of your parents. But its just payback for all those poopy diapers we made them change. I only helped change one time, so i know it's not easy. People say its so great to have a son, but a daughter is tops for when things start to hit the fan.

Also to Holly, my sister's friend who came down from 2 hours away so many times to support her. She also brought her cute daughter lydia to help occupy my daughter when we were spending many hours at my mom's house.

Sam

Fruit Tart

So, i bought a $5.o0 fruit tart from Wegmans. My wife really wanted to get them since they opened, but it seemed like a good time.

It was tasty, and the fruit was tart as advertised.

My daughter seemed to be impervious to the tart.

Anyhow, its a cute video of me feeding Eleanor.

Enjoy!
Sam

eleanors 2nd costume dress up

Hi
I dont want to really refer to the holiday on 10/31 as what it is, because its kind of a satanic day, but our neighborhood had an organized trick or treating time, so i didn't want eleanor to miss out.

we bought her a cow costume at JC pennys!

then we got it home and realized it was a dalamation.

Look, both are spotted, and both have black ears and a black tail... so what is it?
Dalmation
cow?
Cowmation?

Anyhow she enjoyed seeing other kids.




Sam

Its tough

Hi Friends
its tough
I was prepared to give it tough to my dad. To share with him the news about what is happening with my mom in a medical sense, and ask him to let go.

but as i saw him in the hospital, changing my moms bedpan, and praying with her. I couldn't do it.

I don't feel that its right to ask him to give up on time.
Everyday and every moment that he can be there with my mom is fleeting for him

I felt that he deserves as much time as he and my mom want.

If Sora was sick, i think I would want the same time and buffer zone.

We know the time is coming to an end, and my dad knows, but he has to deal with things and deal with his emotions.

Right now, its about family and prayer and dignity.

My mom is an example of how someone should fight cancer. An example of how someone with the confidence of Christ should fight, and have peace at the same time.

I hope to bring honor to her example with my life.

Sam

eagles Stink man

eagles stink

mcnabb still needs work
andy reid is not a genius

the real genius are solving problems like renewable energy and fuel consumption issues.

Sports is a nice diversion when it doesn't make you mad.

At least the flyers look good.

Sam

daddy's girl

She is a definitely a girly girl.

Last week my wife bought my daughter her first handbag. No prada or coach.
Baby Gund. she seems to like it.

she likes handbags and putting stuff in and out.

It is a joy to see my daughter develop more and more.

Phillies get swept

So Sad.
To work to hard against to get into the post season, the phillies looked like they had nothing left.

Baseball in the post season isnt about hitting homers, its about fundamental baseball and pitching.

I am still very happy with the phillies. They fought all year despite all of the injuries.

the core is still there

honestly, I'd like to see some changes

1. Pat Burrell: trade him to the AL, maybe his 2nd half opened some eyes, if we can trade him, take the deal. too slow in the field.

2. Aaron Rowand: i don't think he will be back. For some reason when i watch his at bats, it seems like he guesses and gets lucky swinging. I mean he hit over 300 this year, so it's not all luck.

3. Pitchers: Leiber and garcia are gone, that money is freed up, i hope eaton will be gone , but unlikely. We also need some relievers.

4. Third base: I hear Mike Lowell might be available. Wes helms is no good. Abraham nunez is ok.

Charlie Manuel: If he keeps Davy lopes and Jimy williams, ok. his strategy is kind of suspect.

anyhow, i wont be rooting for anyone here on out.
I wont follow the games much at all.

Sixers, Flyers. lets go baby!

Sam

Our last phillies game of 2007

Whether the phils can dig themselves out of a 0-2 hole or not, it was a good season

we got tickets for a saturday 3:55 game. It could have been a clincher, but Adam eaton sucked.

we had a good time anyhow. Philly skyline looks pretty good eh?

Chuck-E-Cheese

My daughter's first visit to the Cheese palace, not lambeau field, but Chuck E Cheese.
my niece was in town with my mother in law, so we decided to check it out.

just like when i get energized from a late night poker game... my daughter was feeding off the mayhem of the place.
Kids going wild running all over.

She seemed to be more interested in the tokens, than the games themselves.
Analysis
almost all the ticket games give 4 tickets
whether you can 50 free throws or brick em all, the prize is the same, whats up with that?
you get your tickets once you pay for skee ball. whats up?

A nation of slackers is coming
all because of Chuck E Cheeses.

be afraid people
be very afraid.

Sam

I'm gonna git you sucka!

I am not a mind reader, but i think this is what my daughter is thinking...


Don't think we come out of the womb as sinful people? trust me, she is thinking of mischief. She's got bad intentions.

hahaha
Sam

PHILLIES WIN! PHILLIES WIN!

I Just watched the last out of the game.

The phillies are NL EAST CHAMPS,

My mom, dad, wife, daughter, all at my parents house to see the mets collapse, and the phillies show their grit.

I said in a daze a couple months ago to my wife "my life doesnt change one bit if the phillies win."

Well in the grand scheme yes. but happiness level? its pretty darn good.

I really cannot believe it. Being disappointed so many times in the past years, so many times this year.

Awesome!
Sam

Phillies

Yo Man, if you are not excited about the phillies, well, keep on watching.

They look good. 1.5 games in the wild card and the NL east.
I am keeping my fingers crossed for Willie Randolf to keep on putting Sosa and mota in tight game situations. Cmon Marlins, we need you baby!

We have to take care of business against the nationals and braves.

Right now, i legitimately think that the town is more excited about the phillies than the eagles.

Sam

The quest for the PBA tour

Hi

So i started a new season of bowling this year.

My regular monday night GEMS league with Sora in NJ
and I joined a more competitive money league in Philly.

Its a good league. I am trying to set my average over 200 before the end of the season
if I can do that, then i can apply for the PBA. We'll see.

Ok, so this week, our team name is the "Indians" i am not too happy about the name, but oh well.

I rolled a 212-176-215
Its my third week of leagues now, and i think i am finding my groove. I made some adjustments late, but i think i will be all right.

I am bowling anchor, so the it was up to me to roll strikes in the 10th frame. I kind of choked and we lost 2 games, but we came back and won the last game by over 100 pins, so we got the series for a split.

For the year, i am averaging a 188 over 9 games. So i still have some work to do, in order to get to 200+

More results next week

Sam

My dad is now officially a Cowboys Fan...:(

Hi,
I decided to take my dad to the Eagles Game. Monday night football. NFC east rivals.

he was excited and thankful he could go, since my sister was in town. With all the stuff he has been thru with my mom in the hospital and my grandmother passing away recently, i thought it would be a nice treat.

He told me before the game: "if the Eagles lose this one, i am going to root for the cowboys now, Tony Romo and TO look good"

I realized the severe importance of a win. To have a turncoat in your own family. To have someone turn in their eagles green for some gay silver star? It was a turning point for the Chons.

Well the eagles didnt seem to understand the fine edge that my familys destiny rode on.

The eagles lost. mcnabb seemed out of sync. and the clock management was horrible.

High points: Bianca Ryan from americas got talent, sang the national anthem. She was good until she tried to change keys and get funky.

Brian Westbrook. he looked good.

My daughter learning a semblance of the E-A-G-L-E-S cheer. (i pray she doesnt turn to the dark side and become a cowboys fan too)



Low Points: mostly everything else. I felt like this team has no spark, nothing.
and now my dad is a stinkin cowboys fan. I have to revoke all of his eagles fan gear.


Sam

this is just wrong

What is the point of this lunacy?
How does showing this over rambunctious baby with red food all over his/her face advertise the virtues of the rechargeable wet dry vac?

Its wrong, sick and sad.

thats going to be in some poor kids yearbook as the baby photo of the past? forget about him getting any dates for the prom.

Sam

9-11 where were you?

Hey

today is 9-11.

I was eating breakfast at the Fidelity investments site in marlborough massachusetts. i think we were having coffee and the news started to pour in. Cell phones were ringing off the hook, and they opened the conference room and setup 2 big screen tvs.

I saw the 2nd plane it, then i saw the 1st tower crumble. it was surreal.

my mom called me, we left work early and it was craziness.

People were going bonkers saying something has to be done. All my muslim friends were a little worried too.

i havent watched any of the 9-11 movies. seems too depressing.


Lots of people , good people lost their lives. lots of people sacrificed their lives. People are still fighting today.

I am sure for our generation, we will always remember where we were during that time.
i wonder if we have grown as a people....

no major terror attacks since then, in the US anyhow.

I hope i can take some time to remember again.
Sam

Funerals arent easy

Hi,

Darn crickets woke me up at 4 am. Couldnt go back to sleep. I have to seal up the drywall in the garage and get some bug spray. The madness must end.

We are going to have the burial service for my grandmother today.

Last night was the viewing. it was great to see so many people come out in respect to my grandmother. I hope a lot of people show up to my funeral when its all said and done. I can assure you, the food and drink will be excellent.

Anyhow it was a celebration of a wonderful person and her sacrifice. Lots of tears and emotions.

Sam

Remembering: Il-Kap Chon

Hi, saturday september the 8th at 3:30 pm, we were informed by my grandmothers assisting living facility that she had passed away peacefully.

It was a shock to me because i just saw her on friday afternoon. I went there with my wife and daughter. I really dislike assisted living places. Honestly yesterday was the first time i visited her since she was admitted last month. I was kind of relieved that at least i was able to see her before she passed.

She looked fine on friday. She seemed happy to see us especially my wife. After we sold our first house in cherry hill, we moved in with my granda for about 12 months. So we got closer with her during that time. Even though we were both working a lot of hours, we had dinners together and spent good time together.

She still seemed pretty sharp.

I think she was 93 years old.

But i was thinking about how she felt. we had to move her to an assisted living home because she could not go to the bathroom on her own. My older relatives were adamant against putting her into a home until this stage. assisted living places, the state subsidized ones are usually creepy. It feels like they are just doing the minimum, and its a pit stop for nurses and technicians who will eventually gain enough experience to move onto a better health system or facility.

When i get old, i wonder how things will be for me. If i lost my wife already and i was alone. Would eleanor and her husband come to visit me all the time? I was kind of glad to have a daughter first because i dont know if a son will take care or me like a daughter would. That kind of an admission on my own part. My sister took way better care of my mom when she was touch and go. I try my best, but its hard.

Anyhow , if i have other children, i think i will lay out a plan for how i want things to be carried out. But if i dont feel wanted, or if everyone is just waiting for me to pass, i'd rather do a couple more adrenaline rush type things and go out with a bang. It seems odd but i am only 32 and I am thinking about funerals and how i want to go out. I might even record a little video for all my funeral guests. When i am coherent and vibrant, i would like to have a few parting words.

My dad said to me, if I get to the dimensia stage, then he'd rather pass early too. I told him, we will make sure that doesnt happen.

My grandmother was a great person. She never hated anyone and she wasnt bitter. she became a widow so young but she decided not to remarry. (i think thats why she lived such a long life) Her kids my aunt uncle and dad are all successful business people. I think my dad feels like he owes a lot to her. My aunt, honestly did most of the hard stuff. She visited grandma a lot more. My other uncle who is older than my dad also did a lot. Funny thing is grandma would look out the window and say that he is coming over soon. she always seemed to be waiting for him. She sacrificed a lot of personal things to make sure her kids got every chance to have a better life.

when grandma was more active she used to have a garden in the back and cook us good food.

I remember when i first got taller than her. that wasnt a big feat since she was tiny, but still it was for me! She used to tell me she still remembers when they brought me home from Cooper hospital. I was so small, and now i have outgrown her and I have a small baby of my own.

Thankfully all the funeral preparations went well. no one was squabbling about the money and realizing during this time no one should be remembered at the jerk. Grandma deserves a memorial for all she has done.

I am thankful that she received her salvation and put her trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. When my time comes, we will see her again, and in a more glorious state how we can rememeber her.

Sam

Blackberry

So
I made the switch to blackberry sometime this year

It was a good decision

Windows mobile was slow and it crashed a lot

Bb is fast
No lag

I have as much affection for blackberries as is humanly possible in a healthy non idol worshipping type of way

Haha

My daughter prefers it too

Sam

Scams a Plenty

Yo Man,
If you are from Nigeria, I am not trying to hate on you but let me recount the events of the past couple days

1. I posted my gateway laptop for sale on craigslist.org

almost immediately afterwards, i was getting emails from people offering me $200 over my asking price and offering to even pay the shipping, IF I would send my pc to Nigeria.

I watch dateline!

2. Since i didnt get any legit buyers on craigslist.org, i posted it on ebay

BAM someone purchased it at the buy it now price.
but the paypal payment come thru.. ship it to nigeria....

Then i get some email from the would be buyer.. i am buying it for my grandson who is on a missionary trip over there, he needs it. blah blah blah

But heres the catch
the paypal email address is a fake.
and it states, you wont see the payment come thru as pending until you furnish us with a tracking number??? hahahaha

I dont want to seem jaded that some guy wants to buy a laptop for his missionary grandson, but please!

I wasnt born yesterday.

sellers beware man

Sam

Get a Bluetooth!

one of the biggest pet peeves for me is when i see people driving their cars and holding some fliphone up to their face.

I can personally testify that driving while holding a phone up to the side of your face is dangerous.

I want to just T-bone them with my 4-runner sometimes. (click the link to see what a Tbone is!)

I may have a bluetooth in my ear for seven plus hours a day, but i dont have my facial oil smudging up the screen on my blackberry. Did you know that those people are called bluetools?
that discrimination.Safety first.

I am watching "the Academy" its a reality series about LA county sherriff boot camp. Crazy stuff. I can do the pushups and situps required to pass the physical part!

I wish i was a police officer. I would be the employee of the month up in my precinct. i would set new records for citations given. I would get citations for giving citations.

My wife says its not my place to teach people a lesson. Yeah... she is right

but i wish i was a cop, sometimes. "Protect and Serve baby! Protect and Serve!" To be in the fraternal order of police would be sweet.
have you ever heard of any other fraternal orders? makes you wonder eh?

bad boys, bad boys.


ttyl
Sam

Can't beat the fish

Phillies riding off the mets sweep go into Miami and get toasted while the mets sweep the braves. Hudson, James and Smoltz to boot.

Now 4 back.

Mets handled their business and the phillies didnt.

Sadly, its sad.

Sam

Phillies Phever

Oh,
whenever anyone refers to anything Philadelphia Phillies related, if the word has an F in there, they switch it with a PH.
Phightin' Phils
Philly Phanatic
Phreak of Nature
and Phillies Phever.

Its not some Katherine McPheever, but similar.
I am all in baby!

This week, i was not too hopeful about the Phils chances of taking the Mets down. I went to a game and was worried I would be disappointed.

The problem with the Mets fans is that our stadium is so close to NYC that these stinkin' NY Mets fans come into Citizens Bank Park with their Reyes and Wright jerseys in their stinkin' flip flops and walk around our stadium like they own the joint. The other problem is that they can buy our tickets on the internet and just annoy us. It burns me up because it should be a home field advantage.

They were doing the "Jose, jose, jose, jose! " cheer and when beltran was up to bat an "MVP, MVP" cheer. What the heck man? So Adam Eaton drilled him in the ribs for good measure, and made him slide back to first a couple times for being a whiner. MVP that.

Jose also got picked off 2 times in the same game. Speed kills.
(he is a great shortstop, don't get me wrong, its my duty to hate on anyone non philly)

Then Ex phillie Marlon Anderson gets an obstruction call on the double play? hahaha

But the cherry on top, the creme de la creme, the perfect ending to a perfect series:
Billy Stinkin Wagner. Good Ol Boy, tobacco chewing, RAT.

Billy has 4 blown saves, 2 to the phillies.
He has six stolen bases against him, 3 by the phillies.
Pat Burrell has 41 homers against the mets. 2 off billy this season.
Billy billy billy.

I have been in much angst since 1983. With no parade in philadelphia for a major sports championship since then, but you know what, if it continues thats fine.

I have to take my small victories when I can.

METS swept again.

See you in september....

Sam

Wife demanded a day off

Hi
This week i have been quite busy with real estate appts in NJ and PA, daytime and nighttime. So in order to give my wife a break this week, she demanded a day off. or a night off.

So yesterday night, she made me dinner and left me with the child.

At first, i was a little scared because it isnt easy to take care of a baby.

Heres my account of how things went.

1. She ate dinner. Slice of cheese, some dried seaweed and brown rice. Wash it all down with some vitamin D whole milk.

2. then we played and watched the phillies vs mets pregame show.

3. Eleanor was not in the best of moods, she was whining a lot and asking for her mom. But since she wasnt around, i did my best to placate her. What I did was kept trying to occupy her attention.

4. She either took a dump or pumped out a wet fart sometime before 7 pm. In retrospect, it might have been one of the main reasons she was cranky. I didnt even smell it.

5. She was getting drowsy and so was I. we both took a nap, and it was nice since she just fell asleep on top of me. she was knocked out too. I was doing the WWE check for conscienseness test, raising her arm and letting it fall down.

6. Around seven pm, i took her upstairs to prepare her for a bath. thats when i noticed the wet fart/diarrhea like evidence in her pampers.

7. Nice bath to clean up the poop flakes and sweat buildup from the day.

8. I put her in her onesie and sleep sack.

9. She read some books and drank some milk

10. I put her into the crib a little early and she wanted me to take her back out

11. We read some more books until she was zoning.

12. I put her back in the crib, closed the door to her room, emptied and cleaned up the bathtub area, went downstairs to watch another improbably win by the Phightin Phillies.

13. Wife came home

14. We went to sleep.

All in all, i realize i should give my wife more days off, or nights off.

And my daughter is really easy to put to sleep. I mean easy, like staples easy.

Sam

Best value GPS - CLICK THIS LINK

Hey
only for wednesday august 29th
while supplies last
the tomtom on GPS>
189 bucks plus shipping
non refurbished
this is a fantastic deal.
I use this specific model.

link wont follow into the same product tomorrrow
Sam

other stuff

Hey Folks,
in the past couple months a lot of my friends have had children.

Its pretty crazy,but I guess in my age group, this is the baby making time.

So, I have finished south beach diet. I am loosely on south beath phase 3. I still eat cheesesteaks and some sugary stuff.
Before i used to think, Bacon double cheeseburger, fries, and a diet coke? How does that diet come help the cause at all? Well it does in some part.

If you cut out sugared drinks all together, save for some healthy natural juices... you may not see a difference, but if that plan is added to a healthy diet and exercise... it is possible.

Since april 11th 2007, at 164 pounds, i was able to drop to 147. A little too light, but not i can fit into all my old clothes again. Some of it is still in style! haha

Then on august 1st 2007, i decided to start an exercise regimen. One of my employees is a work out fanatic, so i "pay him" to make me work out. Since i already pay his regular wages, i figure he gets a break from the warehouse, and he gets to work out too.

I am trying to get from 147 LBS to about 165 to 17o lbs more muscle.

Some of the things that have helped along the way.
1. Stability ball. Good for doing iso ab crunches and lower back extensions on the off days.
2. Perfect pushups. This cool little contraption is like a push up bar on a swivel. It helps with forearm and elbow strain. In the beginning i was a little discouraged because I could only do like 8 pushups but sticking with it during the off days has really helped. Now, i am up to 30 . But the workout sets are like 30 , rest, 24 rest, 20 rest. Which is a good number. I highly recommend these. At amazon.com for 40 bucks, or at dicks sporting goods if you cant wait for the shipping!.
3. encouragement from the wife. She is usually enthusiastic when i ask her to feel my chest. hahaha

the next piece of the puzzle is cardio. I tried jogging around the block about 1 mile. I had the baby stroller with me too. I got to 1/2 around and got tired. so i am trying to work my way up to around the whole block with little rest. Eleanor enjoys the jog, I think...

Anyhow, things are pretty good.


South beach works for losing fat. But exercise is good to stay healthy

Sam

my husband

just to comment on the last blog.
" sam, i want you to know that you are a wonderful husband."
there, i said it...jk he didn't make me. :)

there's a certain satisfaction knowing that you are with the right person.
not to say that everything's perfect, but to know in your heart that the day you said, "i do" was the 2nd best decision you've made in your life (the first, accepting Jesus).

life is good. i can't complain. i have a beautiful daughter and hope that tomorrow will be even better! :)


sora

I just have a lot of opinions

Hey
i realized, i have a lot of strong opinions.
Its just me

I dont like the cowboys, redskins, giants, mets, celtics, dogfighters, people who try to weasel their way out of contracts, people who are not truthful, child molesters, etc etc

Its how i am wired.
some things may change about me, but i think minor stuff, fine tuning things that help make things tolerable for my wife to co exist with me.

Its not easy for her, i know it isnt. :) I am pretty punky as a husband.

haha
Sam

Forclosures are coming down like rain.

It's gonna be raining houses in philly.

Does that mean you can become some savvy flipper and make madd money?

Unfortunately, its not as easy as they make it sound on HGTV etc.

i am currently representing people in situations where they thought they were going to be smart guys and make madd looot.

When greed is the motivation, you get blinded.

There are safe ways to make good money, but consult a realtor, and know the comperable properties in the area.

We see houses with all these expensive dumb upgrades in the wrong neighborhood. that house sits for months because the seller is pinched on the budget.

I havent even gotten into my first buy for myself. Because due dilligence = safety.
Quick flips are risky.

greed is bad.
BAD BAD BAD.
Not good bad- bad bad. haha

Consult a realtor and your cpa.

thats my public service announcement for today.
PS I am a realtor :)

Sam
time for a morning jog around the eagles facility.

while driving

I was wondering if this has ever happened to you.

You are driving your car.

Then you have a flashback of a time when you spoke out of your butt and reall believed what you said
Example: Friends talking about philadelphia basketball. I said and i quote: "I would take a trade for Kobe for Iverson straight up any day of the week" This was before alleged transgressions in Colorado.

I believed in the statement, but in retrospect, i was really not being smart.

I've said some things in the Christian context, some statements out of my misunderstanding or limited training. I said it, confidently, but in retrospect, i couldnt have been more wrong.

the problem is people heard me say those things. Man! Then you can only laugh.
ok, if it was a hurtful statement, then maybe you seek out the person you hurt and make things right. Like My name is Earl, he has some list of people he has wronged.

Anyhow, getting older, you think, i have more experience, so i should be wiser? WRONG AGAIN!

So do I just become a mute?
Do i preface every opinion by saying: "I may be wrong?"
How do you even give advice to other youngsters. * Youngsters means anyone younger than you.

I dont want to become some middle of the road on the fence guy.

As you get older you see the idiocy of your past.

Don't be some turtle or ostrich, but i guess you dont have to be some blowhard buffoon.

haha

maybe its just me.
Sam

5 bars my butt!

(click the "5 bars my butt" link to read the article)

I was always kind of annoyed with the cingular and att commercials claiming to be the best network with the fewest dropped calls

Now some justice.

Tmobile baby! Catherine Zeta Jones and the best minutes plan with 19.99 extra for blackberry.
(i do miss when jamie lee was doing the commercials, but thats hollywood)

verizon is good too, but overpriced.
and the sim card deal.
change phones whenever you want! thats nice.

Cingular And ATT BOOOOOOO!

Consumerist, keeps you informed when companies try to pull the wool over our eyes.

Sam

Facebook

so i had a facebook account setup, and it was inactive
until i let it loose on my address book.

Then things took off.

Its crazy how the connections came in.

things i noticed:
Some of the kids i knew when i was doing youth ministry have personal pictures of themselves in odd situations...

The married people have pictures of themselves with spouse and children.
Some people have only pics of their kids..

I realized its how people define themselves.

Now a days, i dont get mistaken for a person in their twenties.
I was in the real estate office working and one of the other agents said, "I had a meeting with this old guy. Man he was old school. " I asked "who was it?" He mentioned the name. That guy, i know and he's only 38!
So i was like "Hey! 38 isn't that old, i am 32!"

but i felt old. Then this new agent in the office was like hey! I didnt know you were 32! You dont look a day over 29. wah wah wah waaaaaahhh. Oh well.

I think I look a little younger since i dropped the double chin and face pudge.

I was thinking about things. When i graduated high school I was 126 LBS. "feed me is right!"
Then when i graduated college I was 146 lbs. Still lean
When i left boston , I was 156.
While my wife was with child, I was 166.

I didnt ever think, I could put on 40 LBS, but a lot of buffet dinners and late night cheetos attacks and trust me, it happens. And i was not in shape. My legs hurt, my back hurt, i couldnt even hold my daughter that long, and she is a waif too. only 17.5 lbs.

but it creeps up on you. I see some facebook pictures of old friends, some look the same, and some done blown up.

you wanna know why i really lost the weight? Choices:
Get healthier because what I do in my 30s affect my 40s.
To feel better about myself on the beach
because i was too darn cheap to buy new clothes?

hahahaha

i was too cheap. I was sick of going to another waist size, and sick of not buttoning my pants and just hoping my belt kept my pants up.
ok ok, the man breast were kind of grossing me out too. hahaha

Man breasts, i would feel them when i walked at a fast pace or walked up stairs. I know! SICK!
hahahah

Sorry, its kind of late, but i just needed to post, so my next post wouldnt start with SORRY again, that was getting mundane.

Men, get into shape. its important and saves the environment, and saves you money.
There isnt more of you to love.

Again, i stress, south beach, is a great way to start dropping the pounds. partner up with someone, or your wife. it helps with the discipline.

ok, good night.
My daughter learned how to spin around and scream like michael jackson, just no crotch grab, thankfully!

Sam

Sorry!

I can only say I'm sorry

I have been so busy with stuff.

quick updates.

1. Eleanor is now over 13 months old. I dont like to say 13 months, so I say "A year and a month old now"

2. She had a great birthday party. She decided she wanted to walk before the party so she was able to show that she could walk. Its kind of a milestone, to be able to walk before the 1st birthday.

3. I had a couple real estate transactions close in july, nothing for august, but soon.

4. We have been going to 2 churches. The early am church is a multicultural church. Ironically it meets in the high school auditorium of my old high school. Brings back some memories. I cut a lot of classes , so not as many memories as I would have liked.

5. bowling has not been good. I have been trying to reconstruct my game. I was stuck at a 185 average. It hasnt been easy, but I feel confident that I can get back to 185 and hopefully higher.

6. Sora is doing well. She had some midsummer complications, but overall she is good now. She is having some wrist problems, so we got xrays this week. We'll see about that because we kind of need her for bowling.

Check the photo album, lots of new pics.

Here is eleanor trying to use the potty.... but not exactly....

Sam

Daddy and Baby

Hi,
just wanted to post some new pics
Eleanor will be 11 month in a week or so.
i seem to be happier than her...

Here we are at her first phillies game. Phils scored 6 runs in the eighth to come back and win.

I am definitely happy to be Eleanor's father. She knows how to say Da da.

Here we are at the park. it was a nice windy day.

Maybe she is thinking, "Do I know you sucka?"

Thats it for daddy and eleanor pics.
lots more online

Sam

New Pics Online

hey folks

new pics online

a whole month uploaded.

enjoy!

Sam

Sorry!

Sorry!
i have been so so busy

1. we have hd 3 real estate settlements so far. two went smooth. one was a nightmare. But I think with the money that came in I am breaking even with tuition costs, association fees, testing fees etc etc.

2. with the first commission, i got my mom and dad a new Dell computer. Gotapex.com has the best deals. I upgraded them and got em a 22 inch widescreen monitor. So they can watch their KBS.com in high def! hehehe

3. with the rest of the commissions, it is going into a seperate savings account for investment kitty.

4. Bowling is over. we didnt do too good at the end there. I ended the season with a 185 average. That got me 10 bucks in prize money.
Sora ended with a 155.

5. Summer time we joined a new league. Our team is good. we have couple we made good friends with in the regular league so it is nice that they also like Eleanor. THen they can watch her when we are bowling.

6. We have lot of new transactions pending with the real estate. I am also working on some commercial leads and business listings. I am spending a little marketing funds to get my name out there with the koreanos. I got some good leads already from the korean newspapers, so i should keep it up.

7. I am now officially at my target weight for south beach. That means I am now in phase 3. April 11th: 165 LBS. May 23rd: 150 LBS. NAKED. with clothese 3 lbs.

You know it was easier than i thought. People say my face looks thinner, but i still got a little blub under the chin. I am trying to burn that off too, by talking more, but it doesnt seem to be helping.

8. Soras 30th birthday is coming up. June 2nd. Saturday. If you read this and it reminds you, please call her. its a milestone for her. I am 32 now.

9. We have big news! Sora is with child again. I am kind of hoping for a boy. We just found out. Please pray for Soras health and well being. She is already milking the i am pregnant card, and getting me to do all these menial tasks around the house. Its a small price to pay for not having to lug a 6 lb parasite around for the last trimester and trying to pass it thru a small hole in your body.

10. Memorial Day. Look for a war veteran. Thank them for fighting for freedom.

I see a korean war veteran, i always make a point to thank them. If it wasnt for them we'd all be north korean bad korean accent speaking emaciated brainwashed folk wearing weird uniforms trying to escape so we could work at some tofu restaurant in the usa! One plus is maybe we'd know mandarin then i could do more with my chinese clients.

eh

ttyl

Sam

peek a boo

playing peek a boo with eleanor

South Beach Phase 1 day 8

Hi
Day 8.
Considering all the restrictions during phase one, i have been ok.

Some of the things that help
1. Rachel Rays five spice seasoned nut recipe. good with almonds, not good with pistachios.
2. crytal light sunrise: grapefruit and orange. The flavor is strong and realistic. No sugar, no carbs. the orange tastes like tang. The key to mixing it up. get 3 empty 24 oz sports bottles poland spring or deer park. pour 16 oz into each bottle.
in mixing bowl mix one whole packet of flavor powder with 24 oz of water. then pour 8 oz of concentrated mix/water into the remainder space on each bottle.
3. Don Pablos: on mon-thu theyhave all you can eat fajitas. drop the tortillas sour cream. and you have pretty good all you can eat steak. for 11.99
4. Wawa chicken breast sandwich. I order 2 sandwiches, and combine the breast, lettuce, tomate with texas pete hot sauce. and i also get a 2 pack of hard boiled eggs.
5. omlettes with cold cuts. scramble 1 egg. in another pan fry cold cuts.
fry egg, flip, drop on cold cuts, add slice of cheese. the egg is thin, but now you can make 2 omlettes. 2 seems more filling than one 2 egg omlette.

i think i lost about 4-5 lbs on the diet so far, but i dont see much reduction physically.

6 more days of this, then onto phase 2.

Sam

9 Month update

Hello friend(s)
(haha i wonder how many people still read this)

Eleanor went in for her nine month checkup.
Current Stats: 16 lbs = 10&tile. She is a little light
Height: 27 inches = 25th %tile

The doctor said don't worry so much. Be we could feed the baby fattier stuff.
It not easy for me and sora, since we are on south beach, but still we have to fatten eleanor up a little bit.

If she gets any fatter cheeks her eyes might close up.

The doctor told us about foods we could try
what to avoid.

Eleanor is doing great. She cannot walk yet, but i think within the next 2 months she will be walking.

Eleanor can imitate things now. If i shake my head, she will shake hers.
If i clap my hands she will comply

But usually only if she is in the mood.

I think its more fun for us now. Since eleanor is more interactive.
Its not like we can play battleship or playstation2, but its more fun.

She is overall a joy to be with.

ttyl
Sam

Saturday Update

Hi,

so i have been dealing with flu symptoms all week. I am feeling a little better now.

It was a busy week.

I didnt have much luck down in AC for my birthday celebrations. But i had good time overall.

The best luck was in Let it Ride bonus.

Bowling update. I kind of sprained my right ring finger. You would think its not that important, but actually, i need it badly. I hope it will heal up before next week.
Right now, i think we are out of the running to be in 1st place.
Oh well.

I think I am going to have to practice more.

Real Estate: One of my transactions received the mortgage committment on friday. Barring any weird circumstances, we should go to settlement on May 15th.
One of my other transaction is also on the verge of getting the mortgage committment also. So we will be in really good shape then.

Getting a deal to settlement is slow and has so many variables.

Eleanor is getting a little picky with the food. I told sora to starve her, until she is hungry, then she'll eat anything. But modern parenting books dont seem to espouse the same theory. She gets enough calories from other things like formula etc. SO unless she starts to have diminished energy and vigor, dont worry about it.

She does like cheese. Cheapo sliced cheese. haha

I started south beach this week. I think I am on day 4.
Its not easy, but i have gotten creative.

GOod thing i already liked hummus before.
Salmon
tilapia.

And crystal light is not so bad!

hehe

ttyl
Sam

32nd Birthday Post

Hi
I am officially 32 years old. Actually at 5:02 PM i will be 32 years old.

Funny coincidence: My daughter Eleanor was born on July 10th, 2006 t 5:02 pm also.

Anyhow it has been a cool year.
Lots of ups and downs. But I think the key is perspective.

1. Wife had a baby
2. I got my real estate license
3. Have yet to go to settlement on a house, but soon!
4. Improved my relationship with my wife. Ask her how much improvement but there was some.
5. Improved in bowling now a 186 average.

Overall, there were a lot more pros than cons. but we had some tough spots.
1. My was diagnosed with cancer. Still battling thru things.
2. Warehouse truck was stolen, (then recovered later in the summer)
3. decided to make a change in career.


Today, i am pretty sick. It was the phillies gae last week. It was actually snowing a little bit. Starting from good friday last week, i wasnt feeling too hot. I tried to sleep things off and stuff, but i am still pretty flu-like.

I got flu shots too. Seems like whenever i get flu shots, i get sick.

But this year, i think i subjected my body to stress it couldnt handle.

Age 32 isnt a huge deal. 2 years past the 30 mark. Nothing different.

but i look forward to good things before i turn 33.

Sam

Real Estate Update

Hi
have a agreement of sale on place, in the home inspection phase.

other one fell thru.

ttyl
Sam

Eleanor Update

The little munchkin is growing up so fast.

She isnt handling tax returns, or assiting in my real estate paperwork yet, but she is growing.

He little 2 teeth are growing in more.


Her leg strength is continually growing in too. If she is stuck at this stage for 3 more months then, something is wrong. I think she will walk soon.
haha


She is eating a lot now. She has preferences in terms of taste, but for the most part, if its near her mouth, she eats.


Sora says she was playing by the door of her room, and she grabbed the door stop and opened the door more.


Eleanor is also gravitating towards her monkey toys more. She has a pink monkey, and 2 brown monkeys. She pretty much chews on the tails and makes the fur all gross because of her saliva. We machine wash them.

New pics in the photo album. SEE YOU LATER!


Sam

My Mom

Hi friends,
i wanted to give you an update on my mom.

She is nearing the end stages of liver failure. Due to the chemo , it wore her liver out.
the doctors said for us to monitor her condition. If fluids start to build up, or she has bleeding from her mouth, or her brain function diminishes, then, it will be the beginning of the end for her.

I am praying she will have the longest pain free existence as possible. As long as she can still recognize us, and enjoy her granddaughter as long as possible, is my prayer.

I had a chance to speak with her privately and ask, what she wants me to do, how she wants me to proceed. She told me to live my life, and do my best. Dont try and force your father to do things in a modern way.

We have to discuss more with her. Its not easy knowing the days ahead are less than the days behind, but i just have to live without regret. To live without saying i wish i could have done this or that. honestly, i didnt spend as much time with my mom as i would have liked. I think i didnt want to because of how my dad makes me feel. I cant punish my mom because of my dad though.

Dignity and respect. Thats what my mom deserves. For doing her best to honor my dad through it all. And as much confidence in the fact that I love her.

Sam

Bowling Update

In Second place and closing.
Hi we are currently in second place. We are trying to stay in striking distance so we can be in the finals.

We'll see. Last week, i had a pretty awesome game. 244, 175, 243. for a 660 series. If i could have done a little better on the middle game, i could have gotten the elusive 700 series.
this week, i did not do that well.
only 1 200 game, the rest eh.

Sora is bowling better.

I think i am getting back to form.

Next week, we bowl the 1st place team head to head. so we have to try and rock.

ok , ttyl
Sam

March Update

Hi,

sorry about the long pause in between posts. I have been a little busier with Real Estate and mortgages. Business is not booming, but I am just plugging away at leads and trying to build a strong reputation as a knowledgeable and professional agent and loan officer. We submitted an offer for a high maintenance customer on Friday. We received a verbal agreement, but I won't be comfortable until we go to settlement.

Lots of stuff has happened with Eleanor. She is really growing.

She has 2 teeth coming in now.

I was able to capture a zoomed in shot of her 2 little teeth.


They are small, but they are pretty sharp already. I don't think she will become a vegetarian.

We also got a PlayYard XT. with 2 ExtraExtension.

when we added the extra 2 pieces, it somehow increased the square footage by so much more. like 33 Sq Feet. But it is pretty large!
Now she has an octagon. Like in mixed martial arts.

haha. She likes playing in there, but not alone.



Eleanor has really grown in terms of her balance and strength. She wasn't able to pull herself up from the floor into the standing position before. But now she can do it. On different terrain too. We realize why it's not good to pay full price for some toys. She outgrows them. It was a good thing to get a used jumperoo via my sister finding one on craigslist.
we have to pack up the jumperoo now.
she doesn't use the swing anymore either.

Sora opened and setup a new toy that we had received as a gift over Christmas.
its an activity table thing. The cool thing about this toy it has an Espanol mode. I am glad to see the toy industry addressing the fastest growing segment.

it has become Eleanor's new favorite toy. Its kind of cool.
As a parent, do you ever get tunes stuck in your head. But not mature grown up songs, but the kiddie songs? haha

Eleanor is still sleeping very well at nights. During the days its not as easy to say, since Sora takes care of Eleanor most of the time.

In the morning, i have been feeding her. not everyday , but some days. There is a technique to baby feeding. I have yet to master it, but its getting better. it seems to me that Eleanor likes whatever we give her. That's good that she's not a picky eater.

Ok
well, i will leave you with a new picture.

She enjoys her bath time!

Sam

Pro Tour will definitely have to wait...

So, my ambitious hope of becoming a PBA member will have to wait. The bowling has tailed off a little bit. In terms of consistency and average.

I am have to focus on the team goals this year.

Our team is doing better in the second half. Our season is split into 2 halves. In the first half one team already ran away with the competition and is waiting for the winner of the 2nd half.

Currently we are in second place. And if we can be within 2 games in the final week, we would play for champs of the 2nd half. Then we would have a "roll off" for overall champs.

As a team we are doing much better. Sora has been bowling above average. She got a 199 in one of her games last week. Ken our captain had a great game as well. he seems to be coming back to his previous form of consistent near 200 bowling. Dely is also doing well.

I figured against most teams, if 3 out of 4 of our team bowls average, we will be ok. We should be able to win 3 of 4 points.

in some games when i know that it is clearly going to work out well for our team, i dont' have to go for 3 strikes to finish a game off.

My average is at about 184 right now. I think , i will try and let it settle back to 180. If I can...

We give away a lot of pins in handicap and i dont want to make it impossible to overcome.

Sometimes we give up 100+ pins. thats like giving a 5th bowler to some teams.

In any case, i think my chances of becoming a proficient real estate professional are better than making it on the PBA tour.

Give both goals about 3 years.

Sam

Teeth!

Eleanor has teeth
Well a tiny little piece of enamel showing

What's the tooth fairy giving in 2007?
Its gotta be more than when I was a kid

I never told my dad a tooth was loose because he would get all mcgyver on me

Prettty much pliers
Or string
And lots of blood

Pic of the first tooth peeking thru tomorrow

sam

baby update

hey,
so eleanor is continously growing.

He are the sounds she can make with her voice.

Um um um
mamama
umma umma - thats korean for mom
dadada - thats universal for daddy i think.
and some other slobbery sounding sentences.

I am not expecting sentences yet, but it is pretty cool to hear dadadada....

She is also able to pull herself up into standing position. She can grab and pull up.


Her leg strength is growing daily.

She doesnt sign but she can articulate more with her hands. She cannot grab a small snack and put into her mouth yet however.

pretty crazy how much she is growing .

Sam

American Idol

Sad to see paul kim go.

We even has a land line put in so we could vote. but when it came down to it, here's how it really happened. We were watching the show, and the phone was downstairs. Me and Sora were like, if he sings well, we will make the trip down 17 stairs and dial it in. But he wasnt. And our laziness won over his talent!

But he was not good, dawg. Song choice, tone etc.

Its sad but Korean people dont support their own. The indian guy was like 4th top vote getting. I know that comes from nationalistic support.

I hope Paul isnt bitter that the koreans didnt step up and vote for him. He was better than William hung. He put some weight on too!

THis year, i think its about the women.

Lakisha (single mother working at the bank) is awesome. I love her story too.
Doolittle (the backup singer) She needs some more confidence. She is all meek and stuff, then she sings like a pro!
Sabrina Sloan. She was great too
Jordin Sparks. Awesome voice.

the guys are eh for me.
the beatbox guy is cool
and Brandon Rogers is pretty good.

Simon is usually pick the winner outright.

Madd props again to Jennifer Hudson. staying true to her dream. I still remember her performances on AI. Circle of Life (i think she should have worn a lion costume for better effect), I have nothing (whitney song)

Anyhow. AI goes on.

Sam

Oscar feelings

Hi,
i am kind of tired today, i stayed up to watch the oscars.

Me an sora were both kind of disappointed.

winners we would have liked

best pic: little miss sunshine. we loved this movie. the departed was good, but only if you didnt see Infernal Affairs first... It was essentially the same as the Hong Kong Version. Nothing against Scorsese, but it wasnt an original work.

Best actor: Will Smith. Maybe because of the emotion of the movie, i thought he was awesome. Forrest was excellent in last king, but it wasnt emotional.

Best Supporting acctress: they got it right. Jennifer Hudson was awesome. she nearly had a wardrobe malfunction in the singing portion of the show. My wife noticed first. I know simon cowell was jumping for joy when she won the oscar. haha

I would have liked to0 see Eddie murphy win something, but eh, he's the highest grossing african american period. So, pluto nash, or whatever, in the end he should get lifetime achievement.

Still kind of waiting for Leo to get some credit. He was awesome in both movies.

Didnt see pans labyrinth or volver, but it seems latin american film makers are getting their due. Penelope cruz has a weird look to me. I know lots of people consider her attractive, but its like her features are animal like in some way.

Show was way long. i expected the darn thing to end by 11 pm.

the shadow things were cool. cirque action.

Al Gore should run for prez, maybe now is the time. But with his "green" stance on things, i bet the big money won't fill his warchest for campaigning. he put some weight on though. but who hasnt?

Mid February Update

Hi,

So it is finally winter here. While the rest of the snow receiving parts of the USA were getting pummelled with snow all winter long, we were getting slight dustings. Nothing to profit from, nothing but a nuisance.

We have about 5 trailers of rock salt stockpiled from last year.

So, finally a snow storm came. It was pretty good, and it iced up too.
Ice melt we sold about 1/5 of what we had in the past couple days, so I am pretty happy about that.

Eleanor is doing great. She received another flu shot this week.
I kind of weighed her in the office. but with clothes on. about 15 lbs.
Still kind of light for her age group. I use a 15 lb bowling ball, so its nothing heavy. She is definitely not that dense.

I have been working a little earlier and coming home a little later, so i havent had as much time to spend with her.

Eleanor is now fully crawling.
She can stand up while holding something.

We got this toy with wheels that she can use like a training walker. it also converts into a little buggy. 19.99 at target. We couldn't resist.
she can stand

or sit.


She is really growing up fast. I kind of do some walking training with her. I told her there is a performance bonus if she walks before 1 years old. hahahaha. jkjk.

I have noticed that eleanor is really perceptive. She can hear things from far away. She has much better listening skills than her mother. haha, sora has selective hearing disorder.

So we setup a 529 plan for eleanor. Its pretty good. For PA residents we can deduct up to 12,000 per married person against out 1040 tax return. I dont know if we will contribute 24k this year. but still its a plus.

i hope my 2008 tax return will be good. I will be deducting big time for the mortgage interest.

Bowling. eh
we are doing ok.

the PBA plans are defn on hold.

Real estate is going well. I am absorbing as much info as possible on the real estate side, and mortgage credit repair side.

ok folks, have a good weekend

ttyl
Sam

Reunited!

Reunited, and it feels so good!

Well not yet.
But Sora, Eleanor, Mom and Dad in law are on their way.

We close the office at 3 pm, so it will be good.

About the snoring. I dont really know if the stuff I tried last week helps .
We'll see

So this week recap
dinners: Spaghetti, Beef Yakiniku, Curry & rice, Cheesesteak & Fries.

eh.

I expect some good food this weekend. haha

ANyhow, valentines day is coming up. I am not sure if I can ever top my first valentines day with Sora. So i dont really aspire to. That sound pretty slacker of me. But for real. I was still trying to seal the whole marriage deal. I needed to swing for the fences.

Sadly as married life passes, the swinging for the fences turns into, let me try and slap a single in there

I guess when its been like 20 years, maybe I'll get her a lexus with a big bow on top of the car! haha. Even if i get her some big jewelry or whatever, she would feel that the original stuff I got her was more meaningful...

I am still planning some stuff.

if you are reading this and its the first time you have thought about your wife for valentines day... then well, you have 3 more days to plan.

take long lunch and get her a gift card from best buy. That will get you cold leftovers and a probably the silent treatment.

anyhow
have a good weekend folks.

Sam

I miss my family

Hey
Sora and Eleanor have been down in VA since tuesday AM. I guess its kind of lonely in the house.

Since I am but frugal, i turned down the heating in the house to 68. I may drop it to 65. We'll see. Since I am the only one home, and I am not even home that much, its ok. i just bundle up more, and use a down blanket when I sleep.

When Sora and Eleanor are in the house, we usually keep the house at 71 - 72. But thats kind of killer on the bills. I told Sora to take eleanor to Ikea for a couple hours to conserve gas. It's all about the environment!

It is kind of boring in the house too.

I have formalized a relationship with a loan broker in philadelphia. If you are in pennsylvania and you want to do a REFI , or if you are interested in purchasing something, please let me know.
I created a new website. www.Samuelchon.com
Seems a little egotistical, but lots of people in the real estate industry seem to have www.theirname.com

We are still trying to build up the customer base. Every building must have a foundation. I am trying my best to present myself with integrity. I realize lots of sales agents are glossing over the details. To home buyers or sellers , that can be a little traumatic. I don't wish for anyone to have a shady realtor, but it seems to happen. It gives me hope that I can earn some business, the good old fashioned way, thru hard work and honesty.

Note: if someone advertises themselves as "Honest Joe". They're not honest. I learned this from a my dutch uncle. Not that he is from the netherlands, but he's like my uncle. a Real estate mentor type guy. On the flip side, i wouldn't work with a "Slackers Mortgage Company" either. Other names i would shy away from "Lucky". If it takes luck to do a good job... makes you think, maybe its not so good. But then "Hedge your bets Insurance". Hmm...

I like safeauto. the say "we keep you legal for less" well thats nice, but how about when your insurance coverage is so minimal it really doesnt protect you at all?

In retrospect, the only honest - X that works for me is "honest abe" Thats credible. a black beard and tall black helps with the credibility too.

In any case, its easy to get discouraged. Apparently a high majority of sales agents give up within a year. I have felt some of that. But, since i have a supportive wife, and prayer, i think i will be ok. Better than ok. Successful.

I went to the Philly Auto Show last week, Pretty cool stuff. I am thinking of getting a hyundai when we return the honda accord soon. The new veracruz suv kind of looks like a lexus RX clone. I want to give nationalism a shot and try out the hyundai. The Sonata V6 looked pretty nice too.
The new minivan offering from hyundai is called the Entourage. hehe. Which hip hop star or movie star is seriously going to roll up in a Hyundai Entourage? I don't see it. But they picked the name. I hope they didn't pay too much for that focus group.

So american idol is on to the hollywood stage. Apparently lots of people get cut.
I heard some good singers in the early stage. I think carrie underwood is still my favorite. Jennifer hudson who didn't win , is also high on my list. And George Huff.

This year, there seems to be some good performers with the right mix of vocal skill and good looks.

It should be a good season.

Lost started back up last night. Pretty good episode.

ok folks. ttyl

Samuelchon.com haha

Weekly Update

Hi,

Sora, Eleanor and my mother in law went down to Virginia for the week. It's better because i have to wake up earlier and work harder than usual.

Since the first day i've gotten my real estate license, I've only been able to sign one client. My Dad. Oh well.

I have a couple hooks in the water, but when it gets time to execute an agreement, people can get a little skittish. So it seems.

Bowling. We didnt do too well last week. I bowled poorly.

Eleanor received an unauthorized haircut by my mother in law this week. Pretty much its a rice bowl cut. not even seven months old and she has been subjected to the dreaded rice bowl.



I have made it clear that all frontal hair must never be cut without a parental release form...
really when its not combed to the side, its not as cute as usual.

She is still a cutie of course.

Eleanor is getting really mobile now. She kind of crawls. but she does move from point A to point B. She also is quite squirmy when she is being carried or held.


Eleanor's appetite is also growing. She really likes the prunes.

She can make the popping sound with her mouth. Kind of like after you put on chap stick. Pretty cool.

We hear a lot of mamamama, She isnt there yet in terms of complete sentences.

Overall being a daddy is great.

But i will be missing Sora and Baby this week.

Gotta keep working on those real estate leads as well.

Sam

Snoring update

Ok,
so the gargle is not 100% a solution, but it is an abatement.

We will see. i am going to test out the spray tonight.

bowling update.
Our team is 6 and 2 in the new season. We bowled well.
Sora had a 200+ game in as many as 2 weeks. She seems to be doing much better. Overall doing great.

last night, 1 game, our whole team really kicked butt. We all got over 200, each person. that put us in the lead in 2 money categories. So that my be nice. If we can hold on.

I bowled ok. 575 series acrosss 3 games. Pretty good average.
but my avg has dipped some.

my mother in law is in the house . To see eleanor, and just to hang out.

my wife started watching "Queen of the Game". its a pretty good drama.

New pics online.

Eleanor is doing great. She no longer had cold symptoms.

i have a little sore throat. So Ricola in the pockets everyday.

ttyl
Sam

Snore Relief

Hi,

Since I got married, i guess i started snoring. Actually before I got married, i slept alone, so I may have not known I snored.

But as of late, it's been harder for my wife to get sleep.
Honestly, when i am in the state between deep sleep and being awake, i can hear myself snore. Not all the time, but sometimes.

Thats weird hearing yourself snore.

Anyhow, it's been hard for Sora. She has been more iritable and not getting enough sleep.

My friends Sam and Michelle recommeded a snoring spray to help with the snoring. Apparently some men solve their problems right away.

I found some good research online at http://www.putanendtosnoring.com/

They have a questionaire that tells you about the type of snoring, is it deep sleep apnea etc etc.

We went to walgreens and got a couple products

1. The breathe right strips for the nose. Small/Medium size.
2. Breathe Right Throat Rinse.
3. Throat Spray.

Last night, after washing up and taking my contacts, I applied a nose strip.
Then I used the throat rinse. It's like a minty gargle. But Don't swallow.

Sleep. I slept very good.
In the middle of the night around 2 am, i woke up Sora. She was in deep sleep, but i needed to ask her. Did I snore?

Well she said no. It must be working, but don't wake me up again.

haha, so the snoring stopped and she was in deep sleep, but I woke her up. She can't win.

Tomorrow night, i dont plan to ask her if I snored. I just hope the throat rinse keeps working.

Thankfully, we didn't think there was much of a solution, but this rinse thing is good. Cheap.

Deep sleep for everyone.

Until eleanor starts teething. haha

Sam

Day 199

Hi,

Craziness. it is Day 199 of Eleanor's Life.
So much has happened to her, and with us

Quick Hits.
1. Eagles got jobbed in the playoffs by the NFL. Then New Orleans goes into Chicago and gets smoked anyhow. Reggie bush taunts players, then gets shut out. He is in deep doo doo with these recorded conversations with agents and stuff. USC, rings, heisman trophy... i hope you are ready to give a refund...

2. I got my Real Estate License. Finally on January 22nd 2007, i drove out to harrisburgh and processed my application in person. Commercial, Residential, Property Management, Business Brokerage. I am your man. I am formalizing a relationship with a mortgage company to become a loan officer as well.

Full Doc, Stated Income, Stated Asset, No Doc, come one, come all!

I am trying to be a jack of all trades as it turns out. But if you are interested in becoming involved in an investment, please comment, or call me. Comment first, then i will email you. I don't like posting emails publically, It leads to tons of spam spam spam.

3. Eleanor is growing up. She went thru her first cold/flu in the past week. Stuffiness mainly. Then she has been doing better.

4. Eleanor can psuedo crawl. She understands the mechanics of getting from A to B by wiggling across the floor. now we really have to babyproof the house.

5. The PBA tour will have to wait, since 2006, my average has dropped about 6 points. I think the grasshopper must grow some more first.

6. Sora has the flu now. I am trying to help her, but i have gotten considerably busier since the license kicked in.

New pics are online.

New link to my friends from DTS. Brian and Emily McCutchen. They are bears fans, so forgive them... Both originally west coasters, but they went to school in Chi-Town. They have a baby on the way as well! Check em out.

It's fully winter time here in philly, but not much snow. I would like a good dumping, so we can move some rock salt...

ttyl

Sam