20th Wedding Anniversary

Can you believe that? Here's to another 20 year.....

After the movie, we went to Bone Fish Seafood Restaurant where one of my student works as a cook - we had a great time savoring delectable seafood!

Generous portion of New Zealand Mussels in Creamy Garlic and Tomato sauce.

Deep-Fried Calamari with Asian-inspired dipping sauce.

Scallops wrapped with bacon served on a bed of Mango chutney - just fabulous.

BANG-BANG Shrimp - a best seller at the restaurant.

We were glad to spend this special day together as a family. We started the celebration by going to a movie matinee (the last time we did that was 2 years ago - National Treasure 2) and watched AVATAR. What a blast - funky 3D glasses added much excitement and visual treats. The movie was long - about 2 hours and 45 minutes - of course we stayed for the credits!

AVATAR - Go see it....

Christmas 2009

It's the Season - Merry Christmas to You - May All of Us experience the real peace that only Jesus Christ can offer.

Manger at the Cove, a retreat organization of Billy Graham.

A lot of work went into decorating this tree - it is easily 15 feet tall.

A magnificent fireplace with beautifully decorated mantle - we can feel the heat from the fire on our backs - it felt wonderful.


For the lady of the house......


You can never have enough of these.....



She loved those shoes....


One of Hannah's favorite artist....


Ferrari - the closest thing to the real ones....

David playing at a recent piano recital.

Duet with her teacher during the recital concert.

It was a special night - we invited Bob and Ah Nan and their family to share our Christmas dinner.

This is Bob's family inaugural Christmas Dinner.


We had hams over the years but this one is by far the tastiest!


We are thankful for this delicious bird.

SNOW SNOW and more SNOW

Gerda is thrilled about the snow - she grew up in Michigan where snow like this was a common occurrence during the winter months - me I am happy without the snow though today's snow is much appreciated.

Walking to church (see below) - never imagine we get snowed in - our regular church about 25 minutes drive is canceled. Montreat EPC Presbyterian which is located in Montreat College is open for Sunday worship.

View from my office - background is Gaither Chapel where worship and chapel takes place. It is a mile from our home.

We live in the mountains - 3,500 feet above sea level - it is so pretty up here.


Lake Susan is 2 minutes walk from my office - in the past, we fished for rainbow trouts on the lake


Notice the ice forming


Pay attention to the sign!


Ice skating anyone?

We probably received 15 inches of snow - look at the picnic table - for my Singaporean friends, the snow makes great ice-kachang!!! What is ice-kachang? See below for a clue....


Our front of the house covered with snow...

Snow-covered front, back, and centered.


Granny covered with snow - we fondly call our 1997 Toyota Camry because she is old but feisty - 235,200 miles (376,320 km) - can you beat that? We intend to keep her as long as she allows us to....


Getting ready - the outdoors is their playground....

Satisfied owner/builder of a fort....

The fort is complete.....

Lying on a bed of snow - he was born in Madison, Wisconsin - a snow tiger.

Ice-kachang anyone? (my Singaporean/Malaysian/Asian friends will know what it is) - see below for a clue.

Yummy!

Video of David sledging and great view of Lake Susan.

David had the best time - he was flying in the air.


With more practice, he soon became good at it.


Look at those eyes - moments of fear and thrill all mixed together - no broken legs thankfully.



See David in action - I hope he doesn't become a speed-junkie.


After sledging, we walked around Lake Susan and took pictures of the swans.


Look at this shot - the Sony Cybershot DSC-H20 takes great pictures at 10.1 megapixel as well as zoomable HD videos (unlike the Canons) - the sun shone on these Wood Ducks also called Mandarin Ducks just as I captured the shot. The water in the lake is crystal-clear.


Resting by the shore.


By the way, these are males - the female Wood Ducks are mostly dark brown and not as vibrant.

In the next few days....

Now that I am off - final exams done and grades submitted - I have the next few days set aside to update the blog. So pardon the 'dust' as I add content.....

By the way, we are snowed in - all is well - we have electricity and food - our regular church is canceled though we can walk to Montreat EPC tomorrow.

Drew Morris Graduation

Congrats to Drew Morris - a day he should be very proud of - way to go Drew! I am sad to see him go (he won't be in my class next semester) - he is bright and a whiz with computers - I know he will do well.

So proud of Drew - he has graduated - best wishes to you Mr. Morris!!!

With Drew and his family, sister, dad, mom, and girlfriend.

Nice picture of Drew Morris, a graduate!

Happy Graduates!!! High Definition video using my new camera - a Sony Cybershot DSC-H20.

Video close-up of the family.