Geek in Heels - Page 108

Jan 19, 2011 • In Claire, Personal, Pregnancy

Conception Date

Last week I was talking to a friend about her efforts to get pregnant. When she mentioned that she might start taking her basal body temperature, I strongly urged her to sign up for a Fertility Friend account. After all, I myself had gotten pregnant with the help of Fertility Friend (and got to know my body much better in the process).

Fertility Friend popped into my head again last night as I was battling insomnia. I hadn’t logged on since my first trimester of pregnancy with Claire — and I have no reason to log in at the moment as trying to get pregnant is the last thing on my mind — but I felt a strong urge to go look at my last chart.

And wouldn’t you know it? Exactly one year ago today, my body released the egg that would eventually become Claire.

I know this is a bit TMI to some of my readers and I apologize for that. But it really is amazing how this —

(image source)

would become this —

in just 365 days!

New Year, New Look, New Platform

Raising my daughter without the help of my in-laws has (surprisingly) been a lot easier than I thought.

And while there are times when I am missing them sorely because I am dying for a nap or want to go run a quick errand without doing all the time-consuming things that involve going out with an infant, I have found that most of the time, taking care of the baby on my own is actually easier than having others help out…probably because I am such a controlling, obsessive-compulsive creature.

I will write more about my progress as a mother in the future. But in the meantime —

— because I didn’t have enough to do already — [sarcasm]

— because I didn’t have enough stress-inducers in my life already — [sarcasm, again]

— and because it’s a new year and I needed a change, and a means to tackle a difficult project, conquer it, and feel accomplished at obtaining some semblance of control in my life… [that was serious]

I have re-done my blog.

I have been contemplating a move from Squarespace to WordPress for some time now. While Squarespace is wonderful, I need more control and flexibility over my blog. In addition, I also couldn’t get over the fact that Squarespace does not offer threaded comments — and while I can always use a third-party app like Disqus or IntenseDebate to do so, I didn’t like how (1)there is no way to import my existing Squarespace comments to these services, and (2)all the new comments will be hosted on the application’s servers.

So I decided to take the plunge.

(I am continuing to keep my Squarespace account active because I still believe it to be a far more superior blogging platform than WordPress in many regards. And I may just switch back in the future!)

I will be completely honest here — it was a complete PITA to make the transfer from Squarespace to WordPress. I had to perform numerous “find and replace” functions, create 301 redirects, experiment with various URL structures and plugins, and scour countless message boards.

And while I am familiar with WordPress and have worked with it many times in the past, I was a bit rusty and PHP is not my strong suit. Finding a theme I liked and customizing it took a lot longer than expected.

But I’ve done it. Well, almost. There are still some posts whose URLs produce 404 errors. (Please be patient — I have over 1,100 posts! I am bound to miss a few… ) My LinkWithin links at the bottom of each post still point to the old URL structure (and while most of them are successfully redirecting to the new URLs, I am hoping to hear back from their support team soon). Large images need to be resized. And some elements will continue to look a bit off while I work out the kinks.

That said, take a look:

What do you think? Head on over and share your thoughts!

Additionally, please let me know if you:

find anything that needs to be fixed
would like to be included in my “Links” section
have any other suggestions

Lastly, I have decided to start using FeedBurner. Since I have directed my old feeds to my new one, you are not obligated to do anything. However, if you would like, you can update your news/RSS reader with the following feed address: http://feeds.feedburner.com/geekinheels/blog. You may also choose to subscribe via email at that link.

Thank you for your patience, and thanks in advance if you decide help me along in this transition. Here’s to a great new year and a newer and improved Geek in Heels!

Blogging Break

In addition to Claire’s extra fussiness during the past week, a series of circumstances have left me severely disappointed and disheartened with the world and its inhabitants.

Furthermore, J’s parents will be returning to Hong Kong tomorrow. Which means that it will be just me with the baby (and Comang) from now on while J is at work. While I am grateful for all the help that my in-laws have provided, I wish they had gradually given me more time alone with the baby so that I will not be scared so sh*tless for the upcoming days/weeks/months (however long it will take for me to adjust to my new living situation).

As such, I have decided to take a break from blogging.

I am not sure how long it will last, but hopefully it will not be for too long.

I hope everyone has a great start to the new year!

Happy New Year!

(image courtesy of Little Seouls Blog)

I remember when I was little, the best part about New Year’s Day was not the gathering of family or the delicious food. The best part of New Year’s Day for me — and for millions of other Korean kids — was getting dressed in our hanbok (traditional Korean dress) and doing the traditional bow to relatives while wishing them a happy and prosperous new year, who would in turn give us money. Cha-ching!

My sister and I would usually consider ourselves lucky if we received $20 from an elder. It wasn’t until years later that we discovered some of our friends would receive upwards of $500 from a single relative!

When Claire gets older, you can be sure that I will be dressing her in a hanbok and drive over to my parents’ so that she can partake in this tradition too. And come the Lunar New Year, we will take her to J’s family festivities where she will be bombarded with red pockets filled with money. What a lucky little girl!

But for this year, while she is still a baby and too young to understand these traditions, she will merely grace us with her presence, which is all we expect from her but appreciate all the same.

Happy 2011, and 새해 복 많이 받으세요!

Adieu, 2010

Things have been a bit hectic, tiring, and cranky in our household this week as Claire has entered another difficult phase. We’re not sure if it is another growth spurt or teething, but our now-3-month-old (as of yesterday!) has not been this fussy since she was 6 weeks old.

We will be ringing in the new year in typical new parents’ style: a quiet night at home — that is, if we’re not already passed out by the time the clock hits midnight. If we are still up, we may sneak downstairs for a few minutes to watch the ball drop (we have a decent view of Times Square from just outside our building) and steal a New Year’s kiss.

My resolution for 2011 is simple: to be more grateful and thankful. I am such a pessimist (and a drama queen) that I often overlook all the blessings in my life.

I hope that everyone has a great New Year’s Eve, and wish you all the best in 2011!

(And if you’re Korean, may your tummies be filled with tons of ddukgook tomorrow!)

The Beauty of Pixar

When I was little I wanted to be an animator at Disney. And as I got older and became fascinated with computers, I dreamed of working at Pixar as a graphics designer-slash-engineer.

My aspirations were serious enough to enlist the help of my uncle, who at the time held the very prestigious position of VP of Broadcasting at MBC studios in Korea. After touring the studios, speaking with some of the designers (and even getting some nifty demonstrations) and having a serious talk with my uncle, I came to the conclusion that while I will continue to study graphics design, I could never work for a large studio like Pixar doing so — the work would be too tedious, the competition fierce, and I would most likely have little to no creative control for decades.

…but when you see videos like the one below, you can’t help but be transfixed by the beauty and intricacy of multidimensional animation.

And while I am content with my career choices and how my life has turned out, I can’t help but think back to those days and wonder “what if.”

Film Roll Wedding Invitations

I hardly ever read wedding blogs anymore so I am probably wayyyy late on this…but I can’t help but be completely taken by these film roll wedding invitations by Trevor and Larissa, the photographers behind Ambient Studios.

Via The Daily What.

I Will Carry You Home

In submitting an additional entry to Trupanion‘s Pawliday Blog Contest, I could’ve listed all the ways in which Comang is such an exceptional dog. How our friends, vet, and groomer constantly tell us that he’s one of the best-behaved dogs they’ve ever met. How he never fails to make me feel like I’m the only one who matters to him. How he motivates me to keep going, even through bouts of depression, family deaths, a miscarriage, and other turmoils.

But then I realized that I would be writing a tome, and the contest stipulates that an entry cannot exceed 700 words.

So in light of the recent blizzard here in the northeast, I’ve decided to edit and combine a couple of posts from last winter. Because as much as I hate taking our dog out in the cold harsh winter, this is how Comang makes it all worthwhile. And it’s moments like these that remind me once again how our dog’s love is such a precious gift…

Walking Comang this morning, after what they’ve dubbed the “Christmas Blizzard of 2010”

As with most dog owners, I usually do not like walking Comang in bad weather. Precipitation usually requires that I juggle an umbrella and a leash while picking up doggy poo that may or may not already be a watery mess on the sidewalk. My shoes and socks get soaking wet. The apartment fills with the ever-so-delightful scent of eau de wet dog for hours afterwards.

And Comang never seems to deviate from the chart below:

While most dog owners love taking their pets out in the snow, I consider it a chore because Comang doesn’t seem to like snow much. How can he, when he seems to be missing the gene or the skill that allows him to gracefully skim over ice? Or the ability to stay afloat and not sink into a foot of snow, unable to escape?

However, a part of me loves walking him in the snow.

Because as we near the end of the walk, his excitement at being outside dissipates and his joyful trots turn into slow, hesitant steps. His little paws and stout legs become downtrodden from the wet snow as coldness seeps in.

He stops.

I tug at his leash.

He refuses to budge. He lifts up one paw and gives me the most pathetic look you can imagine.

His eyes plead with me. “Mommy, will you carry me home?”

I gladly lift him up and carry him back.

Fortune Cookie Booties

J is pretty particular when it comes to authentic Chinese vs. “Americanized” Chinese food, products, and ideas. For example, he thinks it’s a travesty that I prefer Chinese takeout from Panda Express over authentic Chinese cuisine from Chinatown, and swears that he will teach Claire to know (and prefer!) only the best.

Be that as it may, I have a feeling that even he won’t be able to resist these adorable fortune cookie baby booties from Etsy seller sushibooties:

I love everything about these $24 booties — from the the personalized custom fabric fortunes to the Chinese takeout box packaging. It also doesn’t hurt that they look super warm and comfy, and feature no-slip grip soles.

You can even get a Mommy & Baby set for $48.

Via Bit Rebels.

Unconditional Love

When Heather (who had written a guest post for me last month) emailed me to let me know that Trupanion is holding a Pawliday Blog Contest, I knew that I had to participate…but I didn’t realize how difficult writing a post on the topic “How My Pet’s Love is My Holiday Gift” would be.

Because truth be told, Comang has been a brat lately.

Many of my readers have been wondering how Comang is getting along with the baby, and how he is handling the new addition to the family. And here is the answer: our dog has first child syndrome.

I have no one to blame but myself. I had read that before introducing the new baby to the household I should gradually start giving Comang less attention so that his new place in the family will not come as a shock. But I did the exact opposite because I knew that he would be receiving less attention. And by doing this I ended up doing more harm than good, because our dog now engages in behavior that he has never done before the baby.

When one of us is preoccupied with the baby, he will flippantly trot over to the other person for cuddle time.

When the baby is finally, successfully napping, he will find the loudest squeaky toy in his possession and attack the hell out of it, rousing the little one from her sleep.

And whenever we have guests over, he will go attach himself to the visitor, but not before shooting me a look that clearly states, “Well, since you’re not giving me any attention, I’ll go to this two-legger instead.” And while basking in the company’s affection, he will look over at me as if to say, “Jealous yet?”

…and I do get jealous.

I wish I had more time for Comang. I wish I could give the baby and Comang equal attention, or at least give him enough attention so that he does not feel neglected.

But at the same time, I resent him for not giving me a moment to rest when the baby is down for a nap. I resent him for waking me up earlier than usual for his morning walk when the baby is still sleeping and I could be using that extra time for sleep myself. Most of all, I resent him for making me feel guilty…as if new moms don’t experience enough guilt already!

So just how am I supposed to honestly write a post about how Comang’s love is the best holiday present with all this resentment in my heart? And that’s when it hit me.

I resent Comang because he loves me so much.

He loves me even though his status in our family has moved down a rung. He loves me even when I snap at him out of frustration. He loves me even though I haven’t been able to take him for a long walk by the river since the start of summer.

I know that having a baby requires sacrifices and adjustments from all members of the family. I just hadn’t realized that our dog would need to make sacrifices too…and I love Comang for taking it relatively well. He is patient when he has to wait an extra hour for a walk. He is unfazed when the baby is screaming her head off. Best of all, he is gentle with her and I know that although he might be jealous of her, he would never hurt her.

So here’s to you, buddy. Thank you for being such an awesome friend, first child, and an integral member of our family. And thank you for loving me with such unconditional love. I hope that you will grow to love Claire just as much, and that you two will soon become the best of friends.

Conception Date

You may also like:

New Year, New Look, New Platform

You may also like:

Blogging Break

You may also like:

Happy New Year!

You may also like:

Adieu, 2010

You may also like:

The Beauty of Pixar

You may also like:

Film Roll Wedding Invitations

You may also like:

I Will Carry You Home

You may also like:

Fortune Cookie Booties

You may also like:

Unconditional Love

You may also like:

Currently enjoying…

Navigation

Elsewhere

Recent Posts

Subscribe

Arkangel James Rollins	Revenge of the Tipping Point Malcolm Gladwell
The White Lotus