There's a reason for our lack of posts. We've been on this whirlwind trip of the States... Visiting family and celebrating this and that...
First stop: Seattle (Bellevue to be exact)
Whew, that was a busy tiring week that didn't allow for much down time to hang out. We got to spend loads of time (although not as "quality" as we would have hoped) with Aunt Nancy and Uncle John, along with Uncle/Great Uncle Jou & Auntie, and I met up with one of my high school freshman year roommates, whom I hadn't seen in 17 years!
We also had 2 storage spaces stuffed with crap, crap and more crap that we had to go through. Many hours were spent in the sterile, fluorescent hallways of Public Storage going through box after box, and the kids were troopers for the most part, and Aunt Nancy became SuperAunt. Although it was a chore, it was kind of fun at times, since it was like a time capsule. Every 5 minutes, we offered something to N&J, and they rolled their eyes 95% of the time...but Su-Ting's claim "this is QUALITY!" sometimes convinced them otherwise. The most difficult decisions were whether to part with sentimental things. Alas, since we are striving to live a simpler life, we did let many things go. Sniffle, at least was cleansing. Literally.
First stop: Seattle (Bellevue to be exact)
Whew, that was a busy tiring week that didn't allow for much down time to hang out. We got to spend loads of time (although not as "quality" as we would have hoped) with Aunt Nancy and Uncle John, along with Uncle/Great Uncle Jou & Auntie, and I met up with one of my high school freshman year roommates, whom I hadn't seen in 17 years!
We also had 2 storage spaces stuffed with crap, crap and more crap that we had to go through. Many hours were spent in the sterile, fluorescent hallways of Public Storage going through box after box, and the kids were troopers for the most part, and Aunt Nancy became SuperAunt. Although it was a chore, it was kind of fun at times, since it was like a time capsule. Every 5 minutes, we offered something to N&J, and they rolled their eyes 95% of the time...but Su-Ting's claim "this is QUALITY!" sometimes convinced them otherwise. The most difficult decisions were whether to part with sentimental things. Alas, since we are striving to live a simpler life, we did let many things go. Sniffle, at least was cleansing. Literally.
Sofie at the Science Museum
Next Stop: Chicago (fine... Evanston, to be exact)
Why does Chicago always have crappy weather for travel? The last time we had passed through Chicago, we had a lovely 24 hour delay due to fog, and had spent about 10 hours running from one airport to the end, back and forth, back and forth, attempting to get booked on another flight. So when we found out our flight from Seattle to Chicago was canceled due to weather, we weren't surprised. But we were a bit peeved, since arriving the next day would mean we were missing Aunt Christine's graduation. The entire Fu/Hsu/Palmer crew had planned on assembling in Chicago for this and it would have been very unfortunate. But luck was on our side, in the form of (gasp) 2 incredibly helpful airline ticket counter reps, and we managed to get all 5 seats on the only available flight to Chicago for the day. We must have looked that pathetic!
Anyway, we throw out our kudos to Aunt Christine, who actually made it through the Kellogg School of Management - but she barely survived through the sweltering hot ceremony which was so cleverly held in a non airconditioned gymnasium. Massive coolors of cold water and free fans were provided, so it wasn't a total bust. Anyway, CONGRATS TO CHRISTINE AI-YI! The Fu's are so excited we're, um, bleeding purple. Oh, and happy 27th (or is it 28th) to Uncle Jason!!!
Why does Chicago always have crappy weather for travel? The last time we had passed through Chicago, we had a lovely 24 hour delay due to fog, and had spent about 10 hours running from one airport to the end, back and forth, back and forth, attempting to get booked on another flight. So when we found out our flight from Seattle to Chicago was canceled due to weather, we weren't surprised. But we were a bit peeved, since arriving the next day would mean we were missing Aunt Christine's graduation. The entire Fu/Hsu/Palmer crew had planned on assembling in Chicago for this and it would have been very unfortunate. But luck was on our side, in the form of (gasp) 2 incredibly helpful airline ticket counter reps, and we managed to get all 5 seats on the only available flight to Chicago for the day. We must have looked that pathetic!
Anyway, we throw out our kudos to Aunt Christine, who actually made it through the Kellogg School of Management - but she barely survived through the sweltering hot ceremony which was so cleverly held in a non airconditioned gymnasium. Massive coolors of cold water and free fans were provided, so it wasn't a total bust. Anyway, CONGRATS TO CHRISTINE AI-YI! The Fu's are so excited we're, um, bleeding purple. Oh, and happy 27th (or is it 28th) to Uncle Jason!!!
Third Stop: Ohio (for a few days)
It was my first solo flight with both kids myself, and I chose a short one to test it out. How was it? Umm... manageable? Aside from Sofie's urgent bathroom needs a few times, all went well. But I'd really rather not do it alone again until they're older. Like 18 and 20.
Fourth Stop: NYC!!
It was my first solo flight with both kids myself, and I chose a short one to test it out. How was it? Umm... manageable? Aside from Sofie's urgent bathroom needs a few times, all went well. But I'd really rather not do it alone again until they're older. Like 18 and 20.
Fourth Stop: NYC!!
We hadn't been back in New York as a family in almost 3 years! It was Sasha's first time, and she was stokked. She told us so. Aunt Christine took over the role of SuperAunt for the week and decided to road trip with me and the 2 kids to meet Su-Ting there. Uncle Jason came up for the weekend too. We had some good food, strolled through Central Park, brought the kids to FAO, and then bid a very painful but healing good bye to Peter.
Su-Ting spent hours and hours, days and nights, working on the eulogy that he would give during the service. How do you find the words to pay tribute to someone who lived life like Peter? His first draft was a 15 minute speech, and ultimately he was forced to leave many things out to shorten it to a 5 minute speech. But it was delivered beautifully, nonetheless, and it was, no doubt, the last honor that Su-Ting could serve to him.
Su-Ting spent hours and hours, days and nights, working on the eulogy that he would give during the service. How do you find the words to pay tribute to someone who lived life like Peter? His first draft was a 15 minute speech, and ultimately he was forced to leave many things out to shorten it to a 5 minute speech. But it was delivered beautifully, nonetheless, and it was, no doubt, the last honor that Su-Ting could serve to him.
The next day, Su-Ting flew back to Hong Kong, and we had a brutal 9.5 hour drive back to Ohio. Why 9.5 hours when a normal fast drive should take like 6.5 hrs? Leaving out all the details, let's just say we took 4 VERY long pit stops, and the car floor was covered in french fries when we arrived back home.
