Clank, clank, clank...
It was in 7th grade when I was putting together a jewelry box for my mom in Woodshop class and my classmate, Brian, ran across the room to share with me what looked like exciting news. Wide-eyed, huge smile and joy written all over his face, I was hoping he would say we might have a longer summer vacation. He began with his epiphany, "Tam! Guess what!?"
Excitedly, he put his right hand over his mouth to contain his laughter while I responded with a smile, "What?"
In slow motion, he said,"So...you know our friend Chris Pawn over there? Did you know...that if you two ever get married...."
Instantaneously, two and two clicked together and I was hoping he would whisper it, but he belted out, "Your name would be Tam Pawn!" and it followed with a laughter sounding like this, "uh-huh uh-huh uh-huh uh-huh, and with each "huh," it hit a higher note.
Just in case I did not understand him the first time, Brian emphasized, "Get it!? Tam Pawn!" He laughed again hysterically and I almost considered getting his inhaler for him.
At the moment, my eyebrows raised and forehead furrowed with a pouted mouth. Two seconds later, I could not help but slap my leg and join in the laughter.
Ten months ago, Greg and I exchanged our, "I do's." Tomorrow night, we're taking off to our honeymoon in Paris and Barcelona in celebration of our marriage as Mr. and Mrs. Lontok. Au revoir!!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Marilyn and Marc
They were in front of each other all along...
As friends, they were able to learn how to care and respect one another and as partners, they were able to take their relationship into new depths and meaning. It was only a matter of time for life to take its course in allowing them to experience one other.
"Love seeks what is best for the beloved...God's plan is what is good for us, not just what is good for God..."
To document their love, we decided to have a photo session where it all began...Loyola Marymount University. Congrats Marilyn and Marc!! Looking forward to seeing you guys next month at the same place, but different time ;)
To see more of their photos, please check out their slideshow:
Marilyn and Marc - Engagement
As friends, they were able to learn how to care and respect one another and as partners, they were able to take their relationship into new depths and meaning. It was only a matter of time for life to take its course in allowing them to experience one other.
"Love seeks what is best for the beloved...God's plan is what is good for us, not just what is good for God..."
To document their love, we decided to have a photo session where it all began...Loyola Marymount University. Congrats Marilyn and Marc!! Looking forward to seeing you guys next month at the same place, but different time ;)
To see more of their photos, please check out their slideshow:
Marilyn and Marc - Engagement
Monday, June 22, 2009
Home Remedies
"In the meantime, I would advise you to stay away from shellfish, seafood, tree nuts, peanuts and alcohol," the allergist advised.
Not only did I have to refrain from exercising because it would activate the hives, but thinking of all the events coming up which may include all the above put a frown on my face. For the past week, Greg and I were trying to figure out what could possibly trigger my hives to consume my whole entire body and face, but nothing seemed to be reasonable.
Everyday, my mom has been real sweet about checking up on me. One evening, we had our first aha moment! She mentioned how we use the All brand detergent because it was hypo-allergenic versus the Tide Liquid detergent Greg and I were using for all of our clothes and household items. We then decided to wash all of our sheets, towels and clothes over and my hives eventually calmed down.
As we were on our way to San Diego to celebrate Father's Day with Greg's family, we called my house and my mom picked up. Mom was excited and exclaimed, "Tam! I have a cure for you...I have these Chinese herbs at home to fix your symptoms."
"Mom...I'm fine...it's an allergic reaction to the Tide detergent...the Chinese herbs are not going to help."
Adamantly, she responded, "Tam..don't you want to get better? My coworkers use it all the time and it helps with their immune system...these Chinese herbs work!"
"Mom, I'm okay...I have allergies...it's not about my immune system....can I please speak to dad?" I laughed.
She finally agreed and passed the phone to my dad as Greg and I shouted, "Happy Father's Day!!! We can't wait to celebrate with you tomorrow night!"
Thanks Dad for always being so wonderful and being my own Chinese herb for life! =)
Not only did I have to refrain from exercising because it would activate the hives, but thinking of all the events coming up which may include all the above put a frown on my face. For the past week, Greg and I were trying to figure out what could possibly trigger my hives to consume my whole entire body and face, but nothing seemed to be reasonable.
Everyday, my mom has been real sweet about checking up on me. One evening, we had our first aha moment! She mentioned how we use the All brand detergent because it was hypo-allergenic versus the Tide Liquid detergent Greg and I were using for all of our clothes and household items. We then decided to wash all of our sheets, towels and clothes over and my hives eventually calmed down.
As we were on our way to San Diego to celebrate Father's Day with Greg's family, we called my house and my mom picked up. Mom was excited and exclaimed, "Tam! I have a cure for you...I have these Chinese herbs at home to fix your symptoms."
"Mom...I'm fine...it's an allergic reaction to the Tide detergent...the Chinese herbs are not going to help."
Adamantly, she responded, "Tam..don't you want to get better? My coworkers use it all the time and it helps with their immune system...these Chinese herbs work!"
"Mom, I'm okay...I have allergies...it's not about my immune system....can I please speak to dad?" I laughed.
She finally agreed and passed the phone to my dad as Greg and I shouted, "Happy Father's Day!!! We can't wait to celebrate with you tomorrow night!"
Thanks Dad for always being so wonderful and being my own Chinese herb for life! =)
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
The Shoes by Leanne Freiberg
My alarm went off -- it was Sunday again;
I was tired -- it was my one day to sleep in.
But the guilt I'd have felt the rest of the day
Would have been too much, so I'd go; I'd pray.
At the church, I bowed my head in humble prayer
Before I closed my eyes, I saw his shoes there
The shoes of man siting next to me
Were touching my own and I sighed.
With plenty of room on either side,
I thought, "why do our soles have to touch?"
It bothered me so; he was glued to my shoe,
But it didn't seem to bother him much.
Then the prayer began: "Heavenly Father," someone said--
But I thought, "Does this man with the shoes have no pride?"
They were dusty, worn, scratched end to end.
What's worse, there were holes on the side!
"Thank You for blessings," the prayer went on.
The shoe man said a quite "amen."
I tried to focus on the prayer,
But my thoughts were on his shoes again.
Aren't we supposed to look our best
When walking through that door?
"Well, this certainly isn't it," I thought,
Glancing toward the floor.
Then the prayer ended and songs of praise began.
The shoe man was loud, sounding proud as he sang.
He lifted the rafters; his hands raised high;
The Lord surely heard his voice from the sky.
Then the offering was passed; what I threw in was steep.
The shoe man reached into his pockets, so deep,
And I tried to see what he pulled out to put in,
Then I heard a soft "clink," as when silver hits tin.
The sermon bored me to tears--
And no lie--
It was the same for the shoe man,
For tears fell from his eyes.
At the end of the service, as is custom here,
We must greet the visitors and show them good cheer.
But I was moved inside to want to meet this man,
So after the closing, I shook his hand.
He was old, his skin dark, his hair a mess.
I thanked him for coming, for being our guest,
He said, "My name's Charlie, glad to meet you, my friend,"
And there were tears in his eyes -- but he had a wide grin.
"Let me explain," he said, wiping his eyes, face bowed low.
"I've been coming for months, you're the first to say, "Hello."
I know I don't look like all the rest,
But I always try to look my best."
"I polish my shoes before my long walk,
But by the time I get here they're as dirty as chalk."
My heart fell to my knees, but I held back my tears,
He continued, "And I must apologize for sitting so near."
"But I know when I get here, I must look a sight.
And I thought. . . if I touched you, our souls might unite."
I was silent for a moment knowing anything I said
Would pale in comparison, so I spoke from my heart not my head.
"Oh, you've touched me," I said. "And taught me, in part,
That the best of a man is what's in his heart."
The rest, I thought, this man will never know. . .
How thankful I am that he touched my soul!
I was tired -- it was my one day to sleep in.
But the guilt I'd have felt the rest of the day
Would have been too much, so I'd go; I'd pray.
At the church, I bowed my head in humble prayer
Before I closed my eyes, I saw his shoes there
The shoes of man siting next to me
Were touching my own and I sighed.
With plenty of room on either side,
I thought, "why do our soles have to touch?"
It bothered me so; he was glued to my shoe,
But it didn't seem to bother him much.
Then the prayer began: "Heavenly Father," someone said--
But I thought, "Does this man with the shoes have no pride?"
They were dusty, worn, scratched end to end.
What's worse, there were holes on the side!
"Thank You for blessings," the prayer went on.
The shoe man said a quite "amen."
I tried to focus on the prayer,
But my thoughts were on his shoes again.
Aren't we supposed to look our best
When walking through that door?
"Well, this certainly isn't it," I thought,
Glancing toward the floor.
Then the prayer ended and songs of praise began.
The shoe man was loud, sounding proud as he sang.
He lifted the rafters; his hands raised high;
The Lord surely heard his voice from the sky.
Then the offering was passed; what I threw in was steep.
The shoe man reached into his pockets, so deep,
And I tried to see what he pulled out to put in,
Then I heard a soft "clink," as when silver hits tin.
The sermon bored me to tears--
And no lie--
It was the same for the shoe man,
For tears fell from his eyes.
At the end of the service, as is custom here,
We must greet the visitors and show them good cheer.
But I was moved inside to want to meet this man,
So after the closing, I shook his hand.
He was old, his skin dark, his hair a mess.
I thanked him for coming, for being our guest,
He said, "My name's Charlie, glad to meet you, my friend,"
And there were tears in his eyes -- but he had a wide grin.
"Let me explain," he said, wiping his eyes, face bowed low.
"I've been coming for months, you're the first to say, "Hello."
I know I don't look like all the rest,
But I always try to look my best."
"I polish my shoes before my long walk,
But by the time I get here they're as dirty as chalk."
My heart fell to my knees, but I held back my tears,
He continued, "And I must apologize for sitting so near."
"But I know when I get here, I must look a sight.
And I thought. . . if I touched you, our souls might unite."
I was silent for a moment knowing anything I said
Would pale in comparison, so I spoke from my heart not my head.
"Oh, you've touched me," I said. "And taught me, in part,
That the best of a man is what's in his heart."
The rest, I thought, this man will never know. . .
How thankful I am that he touched my soul!
God Is by Danielle Rose
The first time I heard this song was at the Caritas retreat led by Father Tri Dinh last February 2008. Grounded on Ignatian spirituality, this retreat experience allows many young adults in their 20s and 30s to explore God's love and voice in their lives through relationships with those around them. It incorporates conversations, prayers and presentations with regards to the following areas:
Longing to Love and Be Loved
Love Chooses Me
Love and Sexuality
Love and its 10,000 Imitations
Moved from the retreat, Greg and I included this song as part of our offertory to serve as a reminder of always keeping God in the center of our lives.
God Is - Danielle Rose
God Is by Danielle Rose
You want to know Me? You want to see My face?
I do not age with time; I do not fit into a space
I transcend the capacity of your eye, so who am I?
It is the question of the moment;
It is the question for all time
I am you, and you are mine
I am the beginning and the end
I am the faith in your believing
I am the color of truth
I am the dreamer of your dreams
I am the falling in your love
I am the words of a prayer
I am the silence in the music
I am the music in the silence
I am your father; I am your mother
I am the man who cannot cry
I am the story in your eyes
I am the orphan of war
I am the leper begging on the corner
I am the black slave in chains
I am the Muslim bride who cannot show her face
I'm the cross you carry again
I'm all you have forgotten
I am all that you have not been
I am in you - all of this in within you
Let the journey begin, Amen
I am in you, Amen
Longing to Love and Be Loved
Love Chooses Me
Love and Sexuality
Love and its 10,000 Imitations
Moved from the retreat, Greg and I included this song as part of our offertory to serve as a reminder of always keeping God in the center of our lives.
God Is - Danielle Rose
God Is by Danielle Rose
You want to know Me? You want to see My face?
I do not age with time; I do not fit into a space
I transcend the capacity of your eye, so who am I?
It is the question of the moment;
It is the question for all time
I am you, and you are mine
I am the beginning and the end
I am the faith in your believing
I am the color of truth
I am the dreamer of your dreams
I am the falling in your love
I am the words of a prayer
I am the silence in the music
I am the music in the silence
I am your father; I am your mother
I am the man who cannot cry
I am the story in your eyes
I am the orphan of war
I am the leper begging on the corner
I am the black slave in chains
I am the Muslim bride who cannot show her face
I'm the cross you carry again
I'm all you have forgotten
I am all that you have not been
I am in you - all of this in within you
Let the journey begin, Amen
I am in you, Amen
Coasters
Three weeks ago, Thitam took me to Color Me Mine as we painted our very own ceramic pieces. Thitam wanted to work on a red pot to stir good luck for her business as one feng shui consultant advised her. As for me, I joined in the fun to create coasters for Greg and I. Adventurous right? She kept laughing at me as I coated my coasters white as she dollops hers in red. My coasters came out looking like fossils with plant remains from the remote past, but I'll always look at them and remember the moment I shared with Thitam that evening.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Champagne Mojitos
A favorite of Ernest Hemingway as well as mine, I was inspired from my faculty luncheon to create Champagne Mojitos on Friday for Jimmy's and Katie's birthday! Thanks so much for helping me with the sugar water April! The recipe is from Food & Wine. Cheers!!
Ingredients
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup water
1 1/2 cups packed mint leaves, plus 12 mint sprigs, for garnish
6 limes, cut into wedges
2 cups light rum
Cracked ice
cups Champagne or sparkling wine
Directions
1. In a small saucepan, combine the sugar and water and cook over high heat just until the sugar has dissolved. Let cool to room temperature.
2. In a large pitcher, combine the sugar syrup with the mint leaves and lime wedges and muddle well with a wooden spoon. Add the rum and stir well. Strain the drink into another pitcher.
3. Fill tall glasses with cracked ice and pour in the drink, filling them about two-thirds full. Top with Champagne, garnish with the mint sprigs and serve.
Ingredients
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup water
1 1/2 cups packed mint leaves, plus 12 mint sprigs, for garnish
6 limes, cut into wedges
2 cups light rum
Cracked ice
cups Champagne or sparkling wine
Directions
1. In a small saucepan, combine the sugar and water and cook over high heat just until the sugar has dissolved. Let cool to room temperature.
2. In a large pitcher, combine the sugar syrup with the mint leaves and lime wedges and muddle well with a wooden spoon. Add the rum and stir well. Strain the drink into another pitcher.
3. Fill tall glasses with cracked ice and pour in the drink, filling them about two-thirds full. Top with Champagne, garnish with the mint sprigs and serve.
The City of Love and Lights
Last Thursday, I received a phone call during my mid-afternoon nap from Grace and Quinn. In a quiet voice, Grace said, "Hi Tam..."
"Hey Grace!"
"Guess what!? We're engaged!" Grace exclaimed.
In Paris.
Their favorite restaurant.
A gift within another gift.
On one knee,"Grace, I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I know you're the one for me. Will you marry me?"
Tears came over her eyes as she agreed to be his lovely counterpart for life.
Congrats Grace and Quinn!! Can't wait to see you two in a week!
So future kids, this is the story of how your Uncle Quinn proposed to your Auntie Grace. =)
"Hey Grace!"
"Guess what!? We're engaged!" Grace exclaimed.
In Paris.
Their favorite restaurant.
A gift within another gift.
On one knee,"Grace, I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I know you're the one for me. Will you marry me?"
Tears came over her eyes as she agreed to be his lovely counterpart for life.
Congrats Grace and Quinn!! Can't wait to see you two in a week!
So future kids, this is the story of how your Uncle Quinn proposed to your Auntie Grace. =)
Children Learn What They Live...
If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.
If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.
If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive.
If children live with pity, they learn to feel sorry for themselves.
If children live with ridicule, they learn to feel shy.
If children live with jealousy, they learn to feel envy.
If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.
If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.
If children live with tolerance, they learn patience.
If children live with praise, they learn appreciation.
If children live with acceptance, they learn to love.
If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.
If children live with recognition, they learn it is good to have a goal.
If children live with sharing, they learn generosity.
If children live with honesty, they learn truthfulness.
If children live with fairness, they learn justice.
If children live with kindness and consideration, they learn respect.
If children live with security, they learn to have faith in themselves and in those about them.
If children live with friendliness, they learn the world is a nice place in which to live.
By Dorothy Law Nolte, Ph.D.
If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.
If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive.
If children live with pity, they learn to feel sorry for themselves.
If children live with ridicule, they learn to feel shy.
If children live with jealousy, they learn to feel envy.
If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.
If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.
If children live with tolerance, they learn patience.
If children live with praise, they learn appreciation.
If children live with acceptance, they learn to love.
If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.
If children live with recognition, they learn it is good to have a goal.
If children live with sharing, they learn generosity.
If children live with honesty, they learn truthfulness.
If children live with fairness, they learn justice.
If children live with kindness and consideration, they learn respect.
If children live with security, they learn to have faith in themselves and in those about them.
If children live with friendliness, they learn the world is a nice place in which to live.
By Dorothy Law Nolte, Ph.D.
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