Sunday, December 30, 2007

The One where Jasmine Thinks About After-Christmas shopping...

While I was at my parents' home in LA the other day, my dad was watching TV and being bombarded with After-Christmas sales commercials. He was asking out loud, "More shopping?!" I happily replied to him, "Dad, these sales are for people to buy what they didn't get for Christmas. Or to spend even more money on sale items that they don't need."

Granted, I did go shopping a couple days after Christmas and bought some candles for sale, I didn't specifically go for the sales in mind.

But it did get me thinking, if I wrote a letter to Santa this year, what would be on my list? Here is my would-be list to Santa this year, and surprisingly, it's not ALL electronic gadgets:

Scented candles

I like lighting candles, especially in the winter time, when it's cold outside. I haven't had a nice-smelling candle in awhile. The one in my apt is a ginger-lime scented one that my students gave me last year for Christmas. So my sister generously gave me a Passionfruit-Guava one from White Barn New York (aka Bath and Body Works). I also bought a pineapple-mango and strawberry patch one at the 50% off sale this week. They smell so yummy!


Moleskine journals

I have finally discovered the world of Moleskine journals. They're leather-bound and the pages inside are so smooth! I bought a plain one recently for my inspiration journal for photography and it's just so beautiful. Almost too beautiful to use. They also have pocket-sized ones too. The end of 2007 found me journaling a lot more and I'm definitely thinking about picking up one of these for my next prayer journal when I finish my current one.




iTouch iPod

I unfortunately lost my beloved iPod on the plane while traveling to Amanda's wedding in Indiana this past fall. I'm still missing it after all these months. Mostly because it took me SO long to import all my music onto it and because I lost all the playlists that I spent days making. Since my previous computer had a 20gb harddrive, I didn't have my music stored on it, so I lost everything. I still have the music, but I just need to re-import it. The new iTouch iPods look real sexy. Hopefully after all the wedding stuff is paid for, I can buy myself a new iPod. :) Oooh and iTunes gift cards rock too!


Starbucks Chai Tea Lattes with Soy

I am a bit ashamed to admit that every year I look forward to when Starbucks comes out with their holiday cups because it signifies that Christmas is coming! Hey, when you get no snow in SoCal and the temps are usually warmer than 60 degrees, you find that it's somewhat difficult to sing along to "Winter Wonderland." My usual drink is a chai tea with soy. Yum-o. Mucho calories, so 2008 will probably not include a lot of these yummy delights.




Canon Powershot SD870

I love my dSLR. It's marvelous. However, it's a bit big to carry around like in my purse for everyday pictures. I've been wanting to buy a Point-and-shoot for awhile now. Something to take normal everyday photos without having to carry a huge camera around. My sister just got this one for Christmas and I have to say, point-and-shoot cameras have come a long way in the past several years.

and since we're asking Santa, if I could really go all out and ask for something extravagant...
I'd really love a new lens.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L USM lens
I had the opportunity to play a little bit with this lens when Kevin and I went to the SD Photo Expo not too long ago. Great lens. It'd be a great walk-around lens and many photographers recommend that if you only had one lens in wedding photography, this is the one. *drool* One can dream!

Saturday, December 29, 2007

The One with the Bride's Cookie Day

On December 23rd, we celebrated Bride's Cookie Day with both our families in Thousand Oaks. Kevin graciously photographed the event for us so all the photos are courtesy of Kevin Tsang. Special thanks to Kevin for driving all the way out there to help us to record this special event for us.

Bride's Cookie Day is the day in traditional times when the groom's family would bring pastries and livestock (as like a dowry) to the bride's family in honor of them because they would be taking away their daughter to live in the groom's household.

Bring it forward to the present time, our families wanted to gather together in celebration of Adam and I so we decided to meet at Adam's aunt and uncle's home in Thousand Oaks to have this celebration.

All in all, it was blessed time that I know Adam and I will cherish for many, many years.

And... here are some of the photos:

dsc_2319_1024
Our grandpas hit it off instantly. They both speak the same dialect of Cantonese. Happy It was cute to watch them bond.


dsc_2363_1024
Everyone reading the handout on info about what Bride's Cookie Day is.


dsc_2379_1024
Adam's mom.


dsc_2381_1024
A view of all the goodies.


dsc_2387_1024
Me not knowing what to do other than to sit and smile.


dsc_2392_1024dsc_2394_1024
My grandpa receiving special gifts.


dsc_2397_1024
My brother videotaping the festivities.


dsc_2399_1024
Adam's sister, Lauren, and I


dsc_2400_1024dsc_2405_1024
My parents look so happy.


dsc_2413_1024
I like the emotion caught in this one.


dsc_2415_1024
My parents, Adam and I. (We're the short ones... hehe)


dsc_2422_1024dsc_2423_1024
A beautiful "double happiness" photo album from Adam's parents... to put all the beautiful photos from the event in!


dsc_2424_1024dsc_2426_1024
Adam's Auntie Marilyn and his grandma. Adam bestowing gifts to his grandparents.


dsc_2435_1024dsc_2436_1024
Father and son honoring our ancestors.


dsc_2438_1024dsc_2441_1024
The women's turn.


dsc_2445_1024
The whole roast pig representing "livestock."


dsc_2449_1024
My brother, the videographer. I love the angle of this shot.

dsc_2454_1024
My dad in his element, the kitchen, chopping up chicken!


dsc_2469_1024
My mom with Lauren.

dsc_2472_1024
My lovely and I. I like this one of us. Very festive!


dsc_2478_1024
Me and my ridiculously big mouth about to munch on some yummy sponge cake. Happy

dsc_2486_1024dsc_2489_1024
Some of the 9 different varieties of pastries. 9 is a lucky number because it never ends.

dsc_2493_1024
Grandparents and my mom.


dsc_2494_1024
And now with Auntie Nancy and Adam!


dsc_2495_1024
And with me too!

dsc_2497_1024
Uncle Al, Auntie Pam, Adam's parents and mine in the kitchen with all the yummy food.

dsc_2498_1024dsc_2500_1024
Duck and chicken.

dsc_2514_1024dsc_2516_1024
My grandpa opening his special gift... a clock made up of mah-jong tiles! How thoughtful!



dsc_2528_1024
A blurry shot, but a great one of how Uncle Al and my dad bonded that night.

dsc_2532_1024
The happy couple.


dsc_2537_1024dsc_2542_1024
In the kitchen.

dsc_2541_1024dsc_2544_1024
Mmm... seafood chow mein!

dsc_2545_1024
My awkward smile again.


dsc_2546_1024dsc_2557_1024
Some of the many details...

dsc_2573_1024
Our first family picture!

dsc_2575_1024
Just with the grandparents.

dsc_2584_1024
And finally one with our amazing photographer...



What a blessed day. I can't wait for more family gatherings. It's exciting to think how we're both gaining a family. Happy