The Nu Warren

Happy Birthday, MonkeyPig!!

2012-01-18T12:29:00.000-08:00

MonkeyPig, here is a cake for you.

Art imitates life. For those of you who have not met MonkeyPig in person or who hasn't seen her in a while, MP is definitely high on life. Every dinner at her house is a party with MonkeyPig, Wooh Dau, and Baysee. [Woo: Hey! Me, too! Happy birthday, mom!]

MonkeyPig, here's to another 43 years of bananas!

Halloween Adventure, Day 2

2011-11-13T02:13:00.000-08:00

Chinese idiom of the day: 讀屎片
Transliteration: study diapers
Phonetic: duk6 si2 pin3
Meaning: refers to a person who studies but remains ignorant or stupid

Today, MonkeyPig went to the first day of her medical conference. However, every time I texted her asking what she was doing, she'd respond with one of two answers:

1. "Eating."
2. "Pooping."

Never "studying" or "listening to lecture." Never. All I ever heard about was the egg custards, the BBQ pork buns, ...and their aftermath.

Since MP is obviously a talented doctor, there is no way that the idiom, "讀屎片," could apply to her. So, for the first time in Idiom of the Day history, I'm going to modify the idiom to my needs. The new idiom is going to be:

Chinese idiom of the day: 讀蛋撻
Transliteration: study egg tarts
Phonetic: duk6 daan3 taat3
Meaning: refers to a person who is supposed to be studying a serious subject but is instead enjoying life.

But something really nice happened as a result of this--I was the beneficiary of the first of several days of breakfast pastries!

Halloween Adventure, Day 1

2011-10-26T12:57:00.000-07:00

Today, MonkeyPig left early to go to a medical conference in San Francisco, but that didn't stop her from complaining. I had meticulously crafted a schedule of things we'd do and eat during her visit and the first grumblings have been submitted to me via text message. Wah Toh will appreciate this because of a similar incident which happened during the whale watching trip a month ago (not blogged--sorry). This is also an opportunity to reinstate a modified version of the highly popular Chinese Idiom of the Day feature but only for the limited time of one week--the duration of MonkeyPig's stay. The modification will be: I will disclose the meaning of the idiom and you need not guess it.

Chinese idiom of the day: 貨不對辦
Transliteration: product not match sample
Phonetic: fo3 bat1 deoi3 baan6
Meaning: bait and switch

Back in September, MonkeyPig, Ca Loc, and I travelled to Wah Toh's neck of the woods for a whale watching vacation. Prior to arriving, MonkeyPig had requested that Wah Toh make "gwei deou" for her first night there. Unfortunately, due to the fact that Wah Toh and MonkeyPig had gone to different schools in Saigon, each of them had a different idea of what "gwei deou" should be. Apparently, each of these schools had a street vendor standing outside, and who had made completely different styles of "gwei deou." On arrival, MonkeyPig sensed that something was not quite right when the dish of gwei deou was presented to her because it was in the style of Wah Toh's school's street vendor, and not MonkeyPig's school's street vendor. Compounding the problem was that MonkeyPig had requested an additional dish of salt-baked chicken, which arrived as a different type of chicken. To be fair, Wah Toh also had to accommodate other guests who were not into salt-baked chicken.

But the damage was done. At this point, MonkeyPig proclaimed, "貨不對辦!" Throughout the trip, MonkeyPig used this idiom like a war cry.

Aggravating the situation was a family friend who very nicely offered to make MonkeyPig's style of "gwei deou" for her and even invited MonkeyPig to stay at her house on the next visit. This prompted Wah Toh to say to MonkeyPig, "When you leave at the end of this trip, remember to delete my number from your phone. The next time you visit, you can stay with your new friend and eat her food. Maybe I'll send some eggs from my chickens to you at that time--but maybe not."

Thus, "貨不對辦" has enjoyed renewed popularity in conversations among the sisters.

Today, I am on the receiving end of MonkeyPig's accusation. As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, I had meticulously crafted a schedule for our Halloween Adventure. I am not posting it here because it's so detailed that anybody who would want to harm us could easily find us using the schedule, but I trust the The Nu Warren Friends, so if you are a Friend (you are if you receive the email pings for whenever I post something here), and if you wish to see the schedule, please email me for it.

But back to the 貨不對辦. On this schedule are suggested restaurants, two of which serve curry (a Japanese curry house and a Pakistani restaurant that happens to have "curry" in its name, but I really want to go there for the roasted chicken). This morning, I received the following text from MonkeyPig:

I have a complaint on the agenda. Why so much curry.

Not having received a response from me, MonkeyPig reiterates her complaint three hours later but this time with urgency:

Why are we eating so much curry? I want a refund. The meal portion of this vacation sucks. If i want "phor butt dui ban," I might as well as go to Wah Toh's house. Oh, I get the overwhelming amount of Indian food. You want to pay tribute to the large Indian population in Silicon Valley.

So. Will we eat curry on our Halloween Adventure? You'll have to keep reading to find out.

UPDATE
Text from nn:

First of all, there are only two curry places I suggested and one is Japanese the other is Pakistani. I thought you might be interested in Japanese curry. It's kinda interesting. The Pakistani one, I really want you to eat the oven roasted chicken there. Not the curry. The oven that they cook the chicken in is authentic. It was broken one time and they had to buy a new one. They needed three days to let it cool down before they could remove it and swap in the new one. That's how hot it gets. Took another three days to get the new one hot enough to use. That's why I thought you would like to try it. Besides, the chicken is delicious.

Text from MonkeyPig:

Ok. It they were in Afghanistan, they could've heated up the oven with IED (improvised explosive device) quickly. Parki curry place ok. Japanese curry--I've not been impressed when I was in Hawaii.

MonkeyPig has Landed!!

2011-10-25T15:11:00.000-07:00

As some of you may know, MonkeyPig is visiting the Nu Warren this week. There will be many adventures to read about, so stay tuned!

Update: MonkeyPig at the Nu Warrren.

Woo the Wonder Dogby MonkeyPig, guest blogger

2011-08-20T14:17:00.000-07:00

Woo is a wonder dog.

I don't think many dogs can say I've been to almost the four corner of the United States. She's left her marks, and I do mean marks, at the beaches of Kaneohe Bay, Jekyll Island, Redondo beach, and St Petes in Florida. She's never been to the New England states. But. she's been to Seattle. She criss-crossed the US no less about 4 times.

She was a wonderful companion. She was considerate. Even up to the very end, she struggled outside to poop because she doesn't want to mess up the house for Mommy and Baysee.

She is a dog with will of steel. In February 2011, despite her arthritis and hip dysplasia, she slowly inched up a 45 degree incline hill of about 300 yards during one of our afternoon runs. We can't use the usual empty street because it was a work day. We went to a large empty field where Baysee and I ran. She did her usual thing to explore and light exercise. Baysee and I was running up-and-down that hill. As we came back the second time around, Woo was slowly hobbling up that hill as if to show us that she can do it, too. This is Woo - strong willed to the very end. I wish people are as strong as her.

She was really happy to see all the Aunties in May this year. It was supposed to be just Ca Loc, Wah Toh and Leung Gor. But, Nonny Nu, 3Fish, and So Ba Sing showed up to surpise Monkeypig. Woo was the star of the reunion. It was like when we were in the old house.

Even at the very end, on Wednesday, she mustered up all her energy to spent time with me. I fed her and stroked her back and gave her tummy rubs. The vet let us go outside. It was a sunny day. We spent about 20 minutes outside. She propped her head up to look around. She was so weak that I had to support her whole body for her to poop and pee.

When the decision was made, though she was very weak, for a few minutes, when she heard my voice, she looked into my eyes giving me permission and telling me to not worry about her as Sushi had reserved a bunk space for her.

She laid in my arms and went into a peaceful slumber around 1 AM.

The folks, like her Aunties, Cousins, and the Nu Warren family who had shared in our adventures, I thank you for your supports and love.

I encourage all of us with pets to view them like family and give them love. The funny thing about dogs and cats is that even if you don't love them, they unconditionally love you to death.

I put together this video as a chronical to Woo's life over these past 3-4 years. For those of you who are i-woo-literate, Woo is the black pit bull with the white streak up the nose and white chest. The younger brother Baysee it the funny looking brown down with a wrinkly forehead.

Woo, don't steal Sushi's food as you did mine.

My New Roommate by Sushi, guest blogger

2011-08-18T11:08:00.000-07:00

Hello, everybody!

Sushi here with an update on Pet Paradise.

I was assigned a new roommate early this morning. Her name is "Woo." It turns out that we have mutual friends and are, in fact, related. I had never met Woo before so I was so surprised to know that she is my cousin on my mom's side.

Yesterday, Management installed a bunk bed in my room and told me I was going to get a roommate. When Woo arrived in the wee hours of the morning, she came bounding into the apartment and gave me a great big hug. Woo is a fun gal! And, very thoughtful (she said she'd take the top bunk since I like to be cozy and "enclosed" on the bottom bunk). [Interesting trivia: When mom and Auntie MonkeyPig were growing up, they also shared a bunk bed with Auntie MonkeyPig on the top bunk and mom on the bottom bunk.]

As we got to talking, I was very surprised to learn that Woo used to have arthritis because she had jumped up to the top bunk with no problem. She told me how her very loving momma would take her all over the country in a stroller and take her on nature walks. I think Woo is the most well-travelled doggie among my acquaintances here in Pet Paradise. We talked until the sun came up and she told me about seeing Yosemite and many different national parks. She also described extensively the lovely roads her mom drove on with Woo and her brother, Baysee, sitting comfortably in the back seat, humming tunes and taking in the scenery. Woo said she had a lot of fun.

While she was reminiscing about her travels, Woo hit on what she wanted to do with her life here in Pet Paradise: Woo has decided to become Pet Paradise's first tour guide. We have many hills, forests, lakes, and even deserts here in Pet Paradise--we have anything we want here! Being a well-travelled doggie with many road trips under her belt, Woo will be fantastic at this. I include a pic of Woo (right) when she went out this morning to figure out a good route for her first tour. (She said that her ticket prices will be reasonable and she will offer that all military families will enjoy the tours free of charge.)

Woo is also going to learn to swim. That was one thing that she hasn't done yet. We have a class for that (it's free--don't worry Aunt MonkeyPig).

But there is one thing that Woo and I have very much in common--we love food! Both of our moms knew this about us and would feed us table scraps. Yum... Here in Pet Paradise, the cafeteria is filled with dinner tables and chairs, but we don't sit at the tables. No, we sit under the tables and among the chair legs. That's just how we roll in Pet Paradise!

Before I end this transmission, I'd like to give a shout out to my mom and dad! **flicks tail**

Yours truly,
Sushi

P.S. Woo brought this picture with her and it's now on the table in the foyer of our apartment. It shows Woo's mom and younger brother with Woo on a camping trip.

Woo is Back!

2011-08-17T13:20:00.000-07:00

Our favorite old gal, Woo, went through a harrowing and sudden illness yesterday. Her life was in the balance. MonkeyPig even shed tears. But, just wanted to let everyone know that Woo is pulling through and is looking much better today.

Sing it with me, people!by guest blogger, Kashy Boy

2011-08-01T10:23:00.000-07:00

You all know about Skillet's hissing after I came back from my ultrasound with Dr. Meow Meow and had my belly shaved. It's been a bit awkward at meal times because Skillet's bowl is right next to mine and she would chew and hiss at me at the same time. But I knew she couldn't resist my beauty and handsomeness for very long. This weekend, she finally gave me a hug! Check it out.

She went back to hissing after that, but it doesn't matter! I know she loves me! So, sing it with me, people!

Self-Portrait and Magnets

2011-07-26T13:49:00.000-07:00

Happy Tuesday, everyone!

This morning, I rode the rails with Cl. Panic and dribbled tea all over my sweater because my beautiful Jane Austen inspired travel mug sprang a leak. But all is well because someone at work gave me an enzyme stain remover wipe. It works ok, but not as good as a Tide Pen.

Anywho, the moral of this story is: I got a new magnet!!

Whenever I or one of my friends or sisters go on vacation, we bring back refrigerator magnets to share with the people who we left at home. My very first refrigerator magnet was one from Seattle, but I will tell you how I got that later in this post. Check out my office minifridge and my magnet collection (you can see a reflection of me taking the photo)!

I can't remember the order in which I received the magnets, but I know that the first one I got was from Green Thumbs McGillicutty. It was from one day trip she took from San Jose to Seattle just to make the miles to keep her in some sort of airline "best customers" club or something like that.

I also have ones from San Antonio (from when I went to my niece's wedding), another one from Green Thumbs when she went to Philadelphia for a deposition, and another from myself when I went to visit MonkeyPig in Georgia (the little fish pictured was from Cl. Panic for our unfortunate but thankfully temporary stay at Drones 'R Us).

This one is from MonkeyPig when the sisters went to Georgia for a surprise visit. And, this one is also from MonkeyPig from a few years ago when we had a sisters reunion in Washington, DC. We ate at the Supreme Court's cafeteria and I saved my ticket stub! The two Tinkerbell magnets holding the stub are from L. Woods when she visited Disneyworld in Florida.

Now, this one is an international magnet from Heidelberg, Germany, where L. Woods visited on business a year ago. Note the giant gummy bears attached.

And, then, there is my most recently acquired one from Cl. Panic and A-Dog from when they flew to the Pacific Northwest recently. It is from the actual Tillamook cheese factory and is 24K gold plated brass. The magnetic bunnies are from Cl. Panic. They got very hungry and attacked the cheese (they are not partial to giant gummies).

Finally, this one is not a magnet, but is nonetheless a sentiment from a dear friend who had gone afar and kept me in mind. It is a keychain of a polar bear dressed in a UK t-shirt from when Mr. Nonny Nu went to London recently. The bear has the Harrods' "H" stamp on the bottom of its foot.

So many little treasures! I think my most prized items in my office might be my magnets and keychain.

My First Shaveby Kashy Boy, guest blogger

2011-07-19T22:51:00.001-07:00

July has been a month of many firsts. My first time turning 4 years old, and now my first shave. Dr. Meow Meow called me in to see her for an ultrasound and a follow up blood test. There is much good news to report [Skillet: Hissssssss!!!!] (but we still don't know what's wrong with me).

First, I gained half a pound since the last time! I went from 7.9 pounds to 8.4 pounds in just three weeks! That's not bad considering what I'm in for. Second, my albumin is in normal range now so it looks like whatever was leeching it out of me has been flushed out.

Now, for my shave. Dr. Meow Meow shaved my tummy (Don't I look handsome? [Skillet: No, hissss! Oh, that looks like a yummy snaHiiiiiissssssssss!!!!!]) and gave me an ultrasound. My stomach walls are thickened but nobody knows why yet. Good news is there aren't any abnormal growths.

We are trying to figure out what proteins I can handle, so Dr. Meow Meow sent me home with a can of duck and a can of *drum roll please* rabbit.

P.S. There is trouble at home, though. Ever since I got home, Skillet has been hissing at me--and meaning it. Maybe I picked up another creature's scent while I was at the vet's? I don't know. Momma wiped me down twice today but Skillet still hisses. I hope she loves me again soon because I need some loving. I've been through a lot.

Happy Birthday to Cl. Panic and Kashy Boy!

2011-07-13T22:46:00.000-07:00

Happy happy, joy joy!! Two special birthday boys today!

For Cl. Panic, a strawberry cake, because I know he must really love strawberries to not share any with me:

As for Kashy Boy, to celebrate a healthier you, a ferocious cat cake:

Enjoy!

Starting to feel better.(by guest blogger, Kashy Boy)

2011-06-27T01:18:00.000-07:00

Dr. Meow Meow said that there was nothing wrong with my liver. It's my intestines. The three things that could be the problem are: 1) parasite, 2) bacterial infection, and/or 3) food allergy. So, we are gonna try to rule out the first two by putting me on a deworming regimen and some antibiotics. Mom got them for me on Caturday and I got my first dose that night. I'm supposed to take each medicine twice a day. Either Daddy or Momma gives it to me in my mouth via syringe, but Daddy is better at it. When Momma does it, sometimes it gets a little bit on my face.

I'm actually starting to feel better! I haven't spat up since last Thursday, so it's been four days. Not that that says anything because sometimes I'll go for a couple weeks without spitting up at all. But, I truly seem to feel more lively and better after just three doses of the medicines. I really hope it's not just psychosomatic (I'm a smart kitty so I know what that means).

I will keep everyone posted. In the meantime, I leave you with this saying: Every kitty has his day.

Kashy Boy

My Test (by guest blogger Kashy Boy)

2011-06-25T00:18:00.000-07:00

Thursday was a big day for me. It was my first real test. The last time I blogged, I was just told that my albumin level was very low, and a handsome, young cutie pie like me should not have such low albumin levels (these were my doctor's words, not mine). My doctor asked me to come back for a two hour test to see if it was my liver that was acting up.

We sang duets all the way to and from the vet's. Mom was not amused. While I was taking my test, Skillet was getting her shots at a place down the street. [Skillet: Everyone said I was sweet there. How could they not?]. After Skillet was done, she, Mom, and Dolly waited for mope to finish my test.

Okay, so my test. I had to fast for 12 hours. Then they took blood for a baseline. Then they fed me and drew some more blood to see how my liver was dealing with that food.

That was yesterday morning. This afternoon, my vet called and reported that I passed my test! My liver is ok! So the thing that's wrong with me is my intestines. Maybe parasite or some food allergy. We just don't know. But I'm gonna get a deworming medicine and some antibiotic and we'll see what happens.

Thank you all for the kind thoughts. I will continue to keep you posted. I leave you temporarily with photos of me and Skillet with gifts from Momma. I LOVE plastic the way Mom loves cats. So here I am with a cache of bags that Mom saved up for me.

Skillet, on the other hand, has been breaking in her new throne.

Anyway, we are now two contented cats sacked out on our own pieces of Heaven.

Farming

2011-06-24T00:28:00.001-07:00

Spring is over and summer has officially begun with the solstice. The Panic-Dogs have been busily preparing for their new hybrid creation (a baby) but before their little one arrives, the land must be tilled and the seeds planted. Soon, there will be a harvest that will bring sugar snap peas and tomatoes to the Nu Warren doorsteps. See here (every flower promises a pea pod).

Unfortunately, aphids have struck the sleepy peaceful beds of the pea pods but Farmer Panic has taken care of them. Hopefully, the pods that were slated for my stomach have not been damaged.

Additionally, strawberries, red, luscious strawberries, were also available for consumption. Just not my consumption. I dropped Cl. Panic off one day and he showed me the strawberry patch that had one red berry and several ripening berries. Did he offer me a berry? Nope. Well, I hope you enjoyed your red strawberries knowing that millions of people are starving out there with no strawberries to eat.

June Birthdays

2011-06-23T23:48:00.001-07:00

Hello, everyone! Just wanted to take this time to say a very special "Happy Birthday!" to my bestest kitty, Sushi Cat. You are the most special soul and I miss you so much. I know that you are up there having fun and making sure there is a comfy cloud for Momma and Daddy when we see you again. I love you very much. Here is a pepperoni pizza for you from Momma, kitty. Don't eat too much because you know you can't handle the spice so well.

Now, for my dear friend, Siddharta's girl. This has been a year of changes and progress. I am so happy that you are pursuing and finding your faith. I hope that you will find peace and happiness because you deserve it. For you, a zen cake...

Last, but not least, I had one of the best birthday celebrations ever. Not only was I taken to lunch, my awesome friends Green Thumbs McGillicutty, Mr. McGillicutty, Cl. Panic, A-Dog, and L. Woods threw an impromptu birthday celebration for me that night at the McGillicutty ranch. Even Mr. Nonny Nu was there! The McGillicuttys cooked delicious burgers on the grill, accompanied by a light orzo salad and homemade, slow cooked Boston baked beans. L. Woods provided yummy drinks to cool everyone down. And the meal ended with the Panic-Dogs' guava cake topped with Green Thumb's scrumptious homemade strawberry ice cream and TWO KINDS OF WHIPPED CREAM provided by L. Woods! These people know me so well.

But the things that touched me the most was the fact that these very busy people who routinely stay late to work had taken the day off early in order to make this impromptu party happen for me, that these people who highly value their precious and relatively scarce time with their families would give up that time to include me, and that a certain person who rarely ventured from the house got himself dressed and ready to go by the time I got home to participate in this celebration. That was the best gift of all and I will always cherish the memories in my heart.

Now, you all know how I normally like to keep my face off of the blog but I will break that rule and show you pics of me and the cake so that you can see my happiness and contentment. That fireball in the foreground is the cake with 36 candles on it.

Has anyone seen my albumin?(by guest blogger Kashy Boy)

2011-06-20T16:43:00.000-07:00

Hello, everyone at the Nu Warren. Thank you for everyone's well wishes. As most of you already know from Momma, I have been spitting up a lot. Not just lately, but ever since I was a small child. Nobody could figure out what it was. Momma tried different foods, tried different treats, tried different feeding times, even tried Pepsid AC. But, I'm still spitting up. So, I went to the doctor's office two Caturdays ago (I'm still mad at Mom and Dad for putting me in that small box) and they took a blood sample.

When the blood tests came back, the doctor explained that I had very low albumin levels for a boy my age (I'll be 4 in July, but you wouldn't know that because Momma hasn't made the next round of calendars yet). The problem could be a leaky intestine (the doctor checked me and said I had a thickened intestine) or maybe my liver is not working right.

So, I will have to go back on Thursday for a 2-hour test. I will not be happy. But, Momma will be there with me and hopefully Skillet, who has to get her shots.

Anyhow, wish me luck. I hope we figure out what's going on.

Til next time...

Kashy Boy

Lion's First Gig

2011-06-07T09:53:00.000-07:00

Many of you have met and developed a deep devotion to Lion, Kashy's brother. Here is a recent photo of my two boys hanging out at the Nu Warren on a sunny Saturday afternoon:

Lion also joined us in Georgia where he had the best seat in the car on our roadtrips:

Lion is normally a quiet fellow, making him a wonderful sleeping companion. On the trip, his heart was broken by Ca Loc who said that he didn't have the air of a lion, that his mane was too short, and that his expression not ferocious enough.

This weighed heavily on Lion's mind. When he got home from Georgia, he was even quieter than usual. The Nus thought there was something brewing but we didn't know what. We asked him gently, because Lion is a gentle spirit, but all he'd say was that he had "a gig lined up." Then, last week, he disappeared for an entire afternoon. Well, now we know what happened. Check out Lion's gig! Look at that fierce look in Lion's eye! I know he made Tyra Banks proud.

Georgia Vacation

2011-05-24T16:44:00.001-07:00

Last week, I went to Georgia to visit MonkeyPig. In fact, all five sisters went, even though MonkeyPig was only expecting two sisters! We had an awesome time. Below are some photos of the interesting and memorable moments.

First night's dinner was a special Vietnamese noodle soup that MP had painstakingly prepared. It was delicious.

The next day was full of fun because MP planned a wonderful barbecue at Pointes West Army Resort. We had kalbi, rice with onion oil, bread, and corn. It was a lovely, lazy day. MP, Wah Toh, and I went canoeing but I don't have photos of that.

We also went to Wormsloe Plantation where they filmed the long drive up to Twelve Oaks in Gone With The Wind. We brought MP's two kids with us!

It was a wonderful five days. Added bonus was our brother-in-law, Mr. Wah Toh, was able to join us and served as the official photographer. The above pics are mine. Mr. Wah Toh's pics are way more professional.

In case you all didn't know, MP is an accomplished doctor and officer in the Army. Here are the coins that generals and high officials give out for major accomplishments. As you can see, MP has a lot of them.

After this trip, on behalf of Tai Wui (the board--i.e., the sisters), I bestow upon MP this coin for a job well done:

Happy Belated Birthdays!!

2011-04-19T22:04:00.000-07:00

I have been so remiss these past couple of months. Please, everyone, accept my apologies for missing three birthdays. THREE!!! Oy...

First, happy birthday to Willy Wonka!! I know that any cake I find will not be up to snuff taste-wise when compared to the delicious fabulosity that you've created in the past. Here's to another 50 years of baking and cooking for the common good!

Second, happy birthday to A-dog!! For you, I have chosen a king cake. Why? Well, there's a Chinese saying that goes like this: 物似主人形 (object resembles owner's form). I hope you like it and CONGRATULATIONS!!

And, last but not least, is my dearest L. Woods! Happy birthday! I know that you're super busy right now and that all you'd like to do is to have just a few hours of good sleep. So, here is a Xanax and whiskey cake for you! Sweet dreams!

Happy Belated Birthday to Ghetto FOBulous!

2011-02-23T11:10:00.000-08:00

Happy happy day, Ghetto FOBulous! I have selected a flourless, sugarless chocolate cake for you! I hope that you will like it.

Happy Belated Birthday to Freelance Midget!

2011-02-23T11:01:00.000-08:00

Hello, Midge! I hope you are doing okay over in Boston. Here are some egg tarts for your birthday. They are the really good kind with the crunchy and almost burnt edges. Don't eat them all in one sitting!

Update Woo and Baysee

2011-01-23T09:59:00.000-08:00

Didn't have enough bites for Woo's recent pic. Here she is...older with more white hair. But still the queen of the house. Though, I noticed that she's starting to fall a bit more on the slippery tile in the kitchen. But, she still loves to walk and explore when we do our run. Baysee still has his incredible big floppy ears. I swear he's Dumbo reincarnation.

Winter Solstice Eclipse

2011-01-23T09:36:00.000-08:00

Hi
Just wanted to share with you all the eclipse that occurred 21 Dec 2010 - winter solstice. It was worth the wait.
It was a cold winter night. I had a trusty little friend by my side. It was too cold for him to be there for the entire solstice. To keep me company and safe, he would come out by my side for a few minutes, then go back into the house to watch me through the doggie door.
Looking at that big sorry eyes, how can anyone be mad at him for stealing part of the BD cake. I did give him a treat.
Woo's doing great. She's too smart to brave the cold winter night during the eclipse. She had her own eclipse in her dream.

THANKS FELLOW Nu-ans and Nu-ettes

2011-01-23T08:52:00.000-08:00

Thanks fellow Nonnies for the birthday blessings.

I had a great birthday weekend!!

Was not on-call (not deliberate. Just happened that way.). It had been a long 3 weeks since I came back from New Year's break. Straight through without a day off and working till the wee hours of the morn. In 2 wks, delivered about 12 babies, to include 2 sets of twins. But, Friday was great. Got off by 6 pm. Had lousy Vietnamese Bun Bo Hue. Bought a mini BD cake with butter cream frosting.

Saturday was great! Jogged in the morning. Breakfast in a leisurely manner. Went to the park for another stroll with the kids and talked to my friends on the phone. Had more Vietnamese food. This time was better - Pho. Went to a play -- "Rabbit's Hole". It was a waste of 20 bucks. The actors weren't bad. Just not what I expected. Too serious. About a couples' dealing with the death of their 4 years old son. Went home and watched a great Sherlock Holmes movie from the BBC.

Woke up around 9 this morning by Baysee. Cute little guy. But, he did not earn too much kudos from me when he stole 1/2 the birth day cake. As you can see, it was a great bachelorette version of breakfast in bed -- surfing the net while watching TV and eating breakfast.

The kids were really interested in whatever left over of the mini BD cake. But, it was such a small portion that I had to break out the left over fruit cake from X-mas. Needless to say, Baysee did not get a morsel. But, Woo did.

Thanks again for such a great birthday!!

Happy Birthday, MonkeyPig!

2011-01-18T13:49:00.000-08:00

To our dearest half-Monkey half-Pig creature,

Happy Birthday! May the next 43 years be as stinky and full of laughter as the first 43. I hope you like this cake with the monkey and pig. I baked all day just so you can have a cake to look at for your special day. Now, I must return to my singing of "Tomorrow" in front of the television.

nn

Ticket to Ride

2011-01-13T08:51:00.000-08:00

Good morning, little boys and girls! I am here to tell you about a new and exciting routine.

I ride the train to work every first Thursday of the month.

Cl. Panic has been chaperoning. It's really fun! But I have to leave really early in the morning to catch the 7am train. So, I take the train to a station that's near the office. Then I take a city bus up to the office for $2. The roundtrip train ticket costs $9 and the parking at the train station near home costs $3. So, I can ride the rails for $16 each month! (But I so far haven't had to pay full price yet because Cl. Panic has subsidized my train travel each time.)

There are many celebrities on the train. For example, there's "The Elf," a petite lady who dons a forest green coat and matching brimmed hat each morning and can be seen walking to the train station (and sitting on the train). I said hi to her once and she looked a little startled to be noticed! Cl. Panic says that The Elf isn't aware of her own celebrity status.

There's also a "bike car." This is the controversial underbelly of Cal-Train. It is the northern most car of the train. There, bikes are chained like slaves to the wall of the bike car. (Just like the rowing scene in Ben Hur.)

I really enjoy the ride. People are friendly and there is a real community spirit on the train. Plus, Cl. Panic shares his free train tickets and free bus ride perks with me. I actually got a free bus ride to the office this morning. (He's an avowed refugee at heart.)

Happy Birthday, The Scorpion!!

2010-12-21T23:23:00.000-08:00

The Scorpion, where are you? Speeding through the desert dunes? Hanging out with your fellow insect friends down in Meh Hee Koh? Well, wherever you are, you aren't at the Nu residence and that means that there's a rabbit and a bear who miss you very much. But here's a cake for you. Freshly baked!

Happy Birthday!

Homemade McGillicutty S'mores by Cl. Panic, guest food critic

2010-12-21T22:51:00.001-08:00

The pitter-patter of raindrops served as the perfect soundtrack for a batch of gourmet s'mores.

Gourmet because they were prepared under the broiler of a sleek stainless steel KitchenAid instead of a roaring campfire. And because these were no ordinary pick-up-the-pieces-at-Safeway s'mores.

At our annual gift exchange, GTMcG presented us with her homemade s'mores kits.

That's right, an IKEA jar filled with made from scratch marshmallows (chocolate and creme brulee flavored), an assortment of gourmet IKEA chocolates (dark, milk, and hazelnut), and a bag of homemade graham crackers. Although the kit didn't include instructions, we were able to figure it out.

After a few minutes ... success! A perfect holiday treat. And a chance to play with the new camera. Mowielicious, you better watch out (for GTMcG, that is)!

Happy Birthday, 3-Fish!

2010-12-15T14:25:00.000-08:00

For 3-Fish, I give you a cake with six fishes, three church going fishes and three fish who don't go to church. May your days be filled with clear water and fish food!

nn

Happy Birthday, Coach Nelson!

2010-12-13T10:36:00.000-08:00

Well, well, well...

Coach Nelson has graced the Earth with her presence for yet ANOTHER year. How thoughtful. Coach, I'm sorry I can't be there to personally wish you a happy birthday, but I hope you will have a wonderful day and continue to have a wonderful life! Here's a tequila-shaped cake for you, seeing as how you are "with cashew" at the moment.

*hugs*

nn

Is Nonny Nu Missing?

2010-12-08T10:59:00.000-08:00

2010-12-05T18:55:00.000-08:00

NN You can't handle the truth and don't twist the truth. Even if you are 7.5 years younger, you could at least prepare warm tea for us. Guess Annie and Daddy Warbuck was more important. The roof could've cave over but "2moro, you're always, a chore away....".

What also was never mention was the fact that NN eats very slowly. Yes, she "helped" clean up. But by the time she finished her food, we've done most of the clean up. NN also picked the easiest task - washing the dishes. Who picked up the dog poop, who threw out the trash (in the hot southern california summer, there's also a chorus in the trash performed by the larvea), who mowed the lawn, etc... Come to think of it, NN probably washed no more than 10 bowls in her life time in the Thai house hold. Remember the times we have to rent a snake to unclog the drain because your long hair keeps on clogging the drain and the time you f;ushed something you shouldn't flush down the girl's toilet.

NN exemplifies the Chinese saying: sic si awe fian, dai sic lian (big eat lazy), and lian jimg.

CI Panic, I feel sorry for you guys. But we had to dump her somewhere.

I am here to expose a lie. by MonkyPig, guest blogger

2010-12-04T19:15:00.000-08:00

I am here to expose a lie. Nonny Nu never help prepare food and clean up. All she do is sit infront of the TV singing tomorrow...tomorrow...I love you...whatever that Anne song is.

Dishes from Mostly Scratch

2010-11-30T12:30:00.000-08:00

I've discovered that I'm not so good at cooking from scratch, but I'm not bad at sprucing up instant stuff to make it into a meal. You've all seen my handiwork with the udon noodles. Now, I will show you what else I cooked a couple weekends ago. They are all dishes from my childhood.¹

Chinese people love soup, and my family especially love it. So, I made a lotus root, red and white carrot soup² with jujubes (a.k.a. dried Chinese dates or "hung tsoh") in chicken broth. I also just blanched some watercress in the soup after it was done. For the meat dish, I made spicy chicken steamed with preserved mustard (Chinese: tzah tsoi) and chili sauce. For the soup and the steamed chicken, I asked Wah Toh for advice. I followed her instruction exactly for the soup but I messed up on the chicken. She told me twice: "Don't over-steam the chicken." TWICE. So what did I do? I over-steamed the chicken. Anywho, the dinner came out not bad. The soup was delicious (sweet from the jujubes, but chock full of veggies). The over-steamed chicken was tough so I didn't finish it.

An observant person would ask, "Where's the rice??" And, I would have to answer, "I jacked that up, too. Too much water in my newly bought $12 rice cooker." But, I really loved the soup. That made up for everything. I was so full from the soup that I didn't have room for dessert.

Instead, I had the dessert for breakfast the next day. I had gluten rice balls filled with black sesame and peanut (each rice ball is filled with sesame or peanut, not both), in a brown sugar and ginger sauce. Super super good when accompanied by some hot jasmine tea. The rice balls come frozen³ and you just drop them into a pot of boiling water. When they start to float, they are nearly done. The harder part (but not that hard) is the sauce. You have to get the "slice sugar" (Chinese: peen tong) that is sold at Chinese stores--the packaging said "brown sugar." You put the sugar into a sauce pan with a little bit of hot water and melt it over medium heat. Then, you add some more hot water and a few slices of ginger. All of this is to taste, so you would use more/less sugar and water as you see fit and based on the consistency you want. Also, if you want more ginger taste then add more ginger. Anywho, when the rice balls are done, you take them out of the boiling water with a slotted spoon, put them into a bowl and poor the sugar ginger sauce over it. Like this! I had the same dessert that night after dinner.

Okay, now, the last dinner that I made. I chose something that was easily made and that required almost no work at all, and then a dish that required a little bit of work. First, the easily made dish was steamed Chinese sausage. This comes in a vacuum package and my favorite brand is Kam Yen Jan. I have only a pic of the "white fat" variety but there's another variety that has a yellow pagoda stamp on it and it has duck liver in it as well. I know, I know, the health conscious folk are slitting their wrists right now, but this stuff is REALLY GOOD. You just prepare your rice and stick a few sausages in the rice and pop the whole thing into the rice cooker. When it comes out, cut into smaller pieces and then drizzle with a little soy sauce.

Second, I made stir fried Chinese broccoli with beef. Just cut into bite sized pieces, separating the stems from the leaves because the stems have to go in first. Heat oil with chopped garlic and ginger, and then add the stems. Season with salt and fairy dust⁴, and then add the leaves. Now, you add a splash of rice wine. (The ginger and the rice wine is what makes this dish.) At the very end, add the sliced beef, preferably marinated lightly with salt, pepper, and soy sauce. After plating, add some white pepper⁵ on the top. You're done!

I supplemented with the soup from the night before and this time the rice came out great. A complete meal!

¹When I was growing up, my chores were food prep and clean up. I never was assigned with cooking, so, unlike my older sisters, I never really developed the cooking skill. This is why I'm way better at sprucing up stuff than I am at from scratch cooking.

²White carrot is also called daikon.

³I Mei is the best brand for sesame and peanut tong yuen. You'll be sorry if you get another brand. You'll end up with an "old pastry" taste in your mouth and the sesame is course.
Note: Mr. Nonny Nu will likely have a comment about the phrase, "[t]he rice balls come frozen."

⁴MSG

⁵Ground white pepper is not the same as black pepper. It's finer and therefore is better at melding with the food. While black pepper tends to give off its flavor, white pepper tends to melt into the food itself. I like white pepper better because I never "bite into" a piece of pepper and get an unbidden explosion of spiciness in my mouth. I got the Chinese white pepper with the wooden lid this time.

Happy Thanksgivingby MonkeyPig, guest blogger

2010-11-25T06:09:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

T for time to be together, turkey, talk, and tangy weather.

H for harvest stored away, home, and hearth, and holiday.

A for autumn's frosty art, and abundance in the heart.

N for neighbors, and novemeber, nice things, new things to remember.

K for kitchen, kettles' croon, kith and kin expected soon.

S for sizzles, sights, and sounds, and somthing special that abounds.

Thanks for joy in living and jolly good Thanksgiving.
Thanks for being friends and sharing your lives with MP, Woo, and Baysee.

Udon Noodle Dinner

2010-11-12T10:02:00.000-08:00

Here's my dinner from last night. It is made from instant udon noodle package with seasoning, but you can really dress this up into an actual meal! I included green beans, Annie Chun's chicken cilantro wontons (frozen), and scallions in the noodles, but also added a side of butter lettuce. Yummy! The important part is to cook the udon through until it is chewy and no longer has the kinks that were given to it by the packaging. Also, when you cook it, cook it with the seasoning packet the whole time so that the taste seeps into the noodles. I also added some really good garlic chili sauce.

Dunkin Herds Chickens

2010-10-15T14:14:00.000-07:00

Wow! Look at this talented doggie! This is Dunkin herding Wah Toh's chickens back into their coop. Just like Babe the Pig.

Missing Kitty

2010-10-14T14:42:00.000-07:00

This week, I've been very down. It's the Darkest Week of the Year. I hope that my little Sushi cat is happy playing in Pet Paradise. It's just not the same without her.

I remember meeting her for the first time. It was love at first sight. I loved to bury my face in her striped coat. She always smelled dusty. Sushi wasn't into cleaning. What a stinky cat! But, she would smile all the time. Her face was two eyes, a pink nose, and two white puffs to the left and right with whiskers sticking out. She loved us and we loved her.

Sushi was with me through some really dark times. She was always by my side. Always loving me and encouraging me. I was never alone. I feel horrible for working so much during her last days. I wish I had more time with her. I hope to see her in Heaven. Maybe we can share a cloud. That would make me extremely happy.

Sushi's the first person I truly, deeply cared about whom I've lost. I'd never really experienced loss before. I'm a naturally sanguine person, but in my relationships now, there's always a melancholy shadow reminding me that things never last.

Here's Sushi's tribute video again, to the music of The Beatles. I still can't listen to Here Comes the Sun when it comes on on the radio.

Okay, I must go back into denial.

The Mr. Nonny Nu Experience

2010-10-12T16:28:00.000-07:00

One day, I came home to discover three very comfy house shoes. Out of the three, I chose one (pictured at right). This is the story of how that pair of house shoes came to be my pair of house shoes.

I'd been wearing flip flops around the house but they were too noisy with the flipping and the flopping. I thought, "Soon, it will be fall and then winter, and then what are my rabbit feet going to do but feel cold, being exposed and everything?"

So, I said to Mr. Nonny Nu, "Bobees, can you find me a pair of house shoes?"

A week later, the three pairs of shoes arrived for my selection and I chose this pair. That is the Mr. Nonny Nu Experience. Ask and you shall receive (three pairs for your selection).

My favorite thing about my house shoes is that there's a picture of Mr. Nonny Nu on them.

Well-Travelled Carbs

2010-10-06T11:43:00.000-07:00

Drones 'R Us is an international firm. One day, we will become an inter-galactic firm but don't be too surprised if we become an inter-dimensional firm first. (Like when we roll back the pay scale to 1980s level.) Anywhooooo...

One of the nice things about DRU is that we get to send packages to our other offices via pouches for free. It's not really free because the firm pays for it, but it's free in the sense that, if I need to send something to someone in our Mars office, I just stick it in a pouch, write their name on it, and off it goes to Mars. We also have pouches that go between the different desks within a single office. For example, I have been known to send highly confidential, attorneys' eyes only documents (e.g., US Weekly magazines) to Green Thumbs McGillicutty, who sits two floors above me.

Every Monday morning, DRU feeds us bagels, donuts, yogurt, and other breakfasty items. Even though our office has shrunk drastically since we first merged, we are still regaled with a mountain of food on Monday mornings. The leftovers are stuffed into the refrigerator and people are free to have them throughout the week. (Some people like cold donuts, but I won't say who.)

A couple weeks ago, I found out that our London DRU office does not get fed breakfast on Mondays. We have always known that the offices are treated differently. The Mothership always gets the best stuff.* But one thing I did like about the London DRU office is that they get monthly birthday cake to celebrate each month's birthday girls and boys. We used to have that at Nu, Nu, & Nu LLP before we merged. Those were the days.

Oh, one thing I forgot to say is that we also get some nifty (but rare) training opportunities. Back in January, we had a mock trial workshop in DC where associates from all over the DRUniverse went to learn about opening/closing statements and direct and cross examining witnesses. It was a great training, but we also got a chance to meet associates from other offices. We made friends with one associate from the London office, which is how we now know that London DRU doesn't get fed on Monday mornings.

So. What to do, what to do?? The only thing to do, OF COURSE, is to pouch a bagel and donut to Our Friend in London! And, that's exactly what we did this Monday. The mailroom guy was grilled as to inter-Milky Way pouching procedures. The following was discovered:

1) there's no refrigeration on the plane;

2) the pouches are declared in one fell swoop as "legal documents" to customs; and

3) it would probably take two days to get to London from here.

Not wanting to cause an inter-solar system incident, the donut was put in its own small ziplock, and then put along with the bagel into a larger ziplock. This larger ziplock was placed into yet another larger ziplock, and this United Nation of Ziplocks (along with a note) was put into a pouch labeled "LONDON."

We waited on pins and needles for "the package" to clear customs. We didn't hear from it for TWO DAYS!! Finally, today, we heard from Our Friend in London--the package had arrived safely. The donut was eaten with coffee. [OFL: "It was good. A little stale but I've eaten worse. :)"] The bagel was saved for tomorrow's breakfast.

Goodbye, donut!! Don't do anything I wouldn't do!

*I'm sure one of my sisters will pipe up and tell you how I used to get all sorts of stuff and they didn't. And, they'd be telling the truth!

Wah Toh's Egg Harvest

2010-09-19T11:09:00.000-07:00

Message from Wah Toh: Finally all my feathered friends have joined the work force and are being productive. :-)

Congratulations to Coop No. 2 for fulfilling their destiny! The road to egg production hasn't been an easy one. At least one of their colleagues sacrificed her life for the cause. Let's remember those chicks who have come before and paved the path with a moment of silence.

...

Now then, who wants omelets?? I do!

Bird Segregationists?

2010-09-17T11:05:00.000-07:00

Who would've thought that the Civil Rights Movement completely bypassed the animal kingdom?

Last week, L. Woods and I took a little walk along a bayside trail. We call this "birdwalking" because there are many birds along the trail. There are pelicans, geese, and many other birds that I can't name. Suffice it to say, this is a bird haven.

On the way back to the parking lot, we noticed a bunch of birds sitting along the shallow part of the bay. Upon closer inspection, all the white birds were sitting on one side of an imaginary line, and all the brown birds were sitting on the other side. Now, isn't that weird? I guess birds of a feather do flock together!

(The second photo is the one with the birds.)

Mutant Onions Attack

2010-09-08T11:42:00.000-07:00

(Nu Warren, Sept. 7, 2010)

In April of this year, an invasive strain of sugar snap peas appeared in The Nu Warren, triggering meth-like addiction throughout the land. This Saturday, a pair of mutant onions were captured at the local SaveMart.

Nonny Nu, long-time resident of The Nu Warren, discovered the two militant onions during a grocery run. "They were mixed in with the rest of the red onions. I was wading through the pile, as is the rabbit custom for selecting produce."

It is believed that the mutant onions' anger stems from Friends' showering of support and praise for non-onion vegetables. Under interrogation, one terrorist said, "It's just not fair! You all talk loud and draw a crowd about how you just LOVE veggies, but you never give us any airtime! What did you expect us to do? We're gonna be in your face, like it or not!"

Seconds the second onion, "F_ck, yeah!"

Nonny Nu described the fear and indignation she felt upon discovering the onions: "You know, I wasn't expecting this. I didn't come to SaveMart to be assaulted. I was THIS CLOSE to being battered if not for my keen rabbit eyesight. I was just rummaging through the pile to select the nicest, juiciest red onion. Lo and behold, that one on the right just snapped at me! If I didn't see him in time, he would've bit my paw clear off. Then, who would be writing this post?"

Nonny immediately and gingerly scooped up the two onions, who have begun to refer to themselves a "freedom fighters," and brought them in for questioning. They will be transported in a secure container to Dr. Green Thumbs McGillicutty for examination, etc. (You can guess what the "etc." refers to.)

Happy Polar Bear BD

2010-09-05T06:51:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday!!! I am sure you had more than letuce on your cake.

Happy Birthday, Mr. Nonny Nu!

2010-09-01T00:01:00.000-07:00

Forty-one years ago, a very special bear was born. No one knew at the time that this bear would go on to become the best bartender/interior designer/cartoon voice actor/BBQer that the Silicon Valley had ever seen. We all know him as Mr. Nonny Nu, but to his rabbit, he will always be "Bobo."

Bobs, here's a very nice seal cake for your bearmach. I hope that you will like it and enjoy it as though it were a pre-pounced seal. Look at the hopelessness in its eyes! It truly understands that resistance is futile.

Many many happy bear years ahead for you!

Your ding,
nn

Tomato Bountycl. panic, lycopene wrangler and guest blogger

2010-08-22T23:50:00.000-07:00

High tomato season is upon us at the Panic household. Just this weekend, a bounty of Iraqi and Turkish tomatoes graduated from the school of ripe. (And I remember when they were just seedlings, mere overage from GTMcG's exotic tomato sprouting endeavors).

The ones with the stripes are called Turkish Striped Monastery, and supposedly there

are some "Pinks" hidden in that bowl. The plants that sprouted these fine specimens now stand over six feet tall! We are happy to report that the Iraqi Al Kufa plants have also borne fruit, though they did end up requiring cages in spite of GTMcG's emphatic pleading to let them roam free.

The days of the seedlings are now the distant past. Ms. Panic is now faced with a bowl full of red tomatoes and vines still covered with more green juveniles. Greek salads and bruschetta await!

(We have been hit with some blossom end rot this season; not sure if the water softener is to blame. Next year, we'll supplement with calcium just in case.)

Happy Birthday to Wah Toh!

2010-08-22T11:54:00.000-07:00

Dear Wah Toh,

Normally, for birthdays, I find a nice cake and post it on the blog. However, I feel that fish ball noodle soup is the best thing for you. You (and I) would love it much more than a piece of cake. The problem is, I haven't been able to find a picture of the kind of fish ball noodle soup that Uncle Ball used to make. You know, the kind where the soup is clear and fresh, there are pits of cilantro floating on the top. The noodles lurking under the surface whispered, "Eat me, eat me!" The best part was the fish balls. Uncle Ball's fish ball noodle soup had sliced fish balls, and each slice was lightly fried. That is the key, people, but nobody seems to take the time to make it like that anymore.

So here's my birthday wish for you: I wish that you will have a wonderful time at the next reunion where you can make Uncle Ball-style fish ball noodle soup! Here, instead of a cake, I've assembled the main ingredients for you.

Chicken (for broth)
Fish balls
Cilantro
"River" rice noodles
My hands (I'll help!)

nn

Radio Classics

2010-08-19T15:30:00.000-07:00

Okay, here's a quiz. Guess what I was listening to on the radio:

(Winner gets nothing.)

IKEA Lunch

2010-08-13T00:49:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, Green Thumbs McGillicutty and I went to IKEA for lunch. Below is a picture of our trays. Can you tell which tray is GTM's and which tray is Nonny's?

Happy Birthday to Man From U.N.C.L.E.!

2010-08-05T22:52:00.000-07:00

Man From U.N.C.L.E.! Long time no see! I hope you and your little brother are doing well, and that Shaft is also doing well. We miss you here at the Warren! To help you on your spy path, I have chosen a bomb cake for you! Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to Skillet!

2010-08-04T20:43:00.000-07:00

OH, Skilly!! My little Skilly girl...! Here's a little fish cake for you, little one. I hope you'll like it but I know you won't. You're a little finicky eater and only like dry cat food, and dry fish. I love you, though. I'm glad I bailed you out of jail.

Lobster Safari (and Wedding)

2010-08-03T16:35:00.000-07:00

This weekend, I went on a lobster safari. The lobster's natural habitat is on the East Coast, and one of the best known lobster preserves is located in and around the town of Boston. Green Thumbs and L. Woods accompanied me on this quest, but L. Woods arrived a day early to scope out the place.

GTM and I flew from San Jose to Boston, careful to sit in non-adjacent seats so as not to tip off the lobsters. Lobsters are very sensitive creatures and often detect trouble with their long antennae. This was my first lobster safari but I did my homework in advance, mostly in the form of daydreaming about the moment when I would meet my first lobster face to face, antennae to ears, mano y mano.

The morning of the safari, GTM and I woke up at the crack of dawn (9-ish) and prepared ourselves physically to confront the feisty lobster. I ran on the treadmill, and GTM read a book about a girl who kicked the hornet's nest (presumably in case we encounter any hornets on the way to the lobster lair). L. Woods felt that the best way to prepare for the safari was to go back to sleep for another hour.

During that hour, GTM and I warmed up and each purchased a lobster roll next door at the James Hook Lobster Aquarium. Here's what it looked like:

Look at the chunks of lobster in that baby!

Then, it was time to go on the actual hunt. We took a 30 minute ferry to The Lobster Island, attended Cl. Panic's and A-dog's beautiful wedding ceremony, and were led to a table of lobster torture instruments. When our table was called, I shot up like a rocket and stealthily slithered over to the lobster lair. Upon reaching the lair, I pointed at an unsuspecting lobster and exclaimed, "I'll take that one!" He didn't know what hit him!

I slung the slain lobster over my shoulder and dragged it back to our table. There, I eschewed the instruction sheet and relied purely on my predatory instincts to take apart the beast, limb by limb.

Afterward, we all enjoyed a wonderfully timed sunset.

The Nus wish Cl. Panic and A-dog much happiness and contentment in their life together!

The Transformation is COMPLETE

2010-07-27T23:08:00.000-07:00

It all started with The Green Machine, my iPod Shuffle. I was so happy to get it! I'm still using it to listen to audiobooks when I go running.

Then, I got Paddy, the iPad. Wow. I haven't had my own computer since, well, since college (which is a long time ago).

Tonight, Mr. Nonny Nu surprised me with a brand new MacBook Pro!!

My transformation from PC user to Apple user is finally complete. I love it!

P.S. I just sent my first email to L. Woods from my MacBook! I'm still thinking of what to name her. I know it's a her. I can feel it!

R.I.P. Polka Dot (2010-2010)

2010-07-26T23:49:00.000-07:00

(From left to right: Dunkin'*, Snow White, Polka Dot.)

The above photo was taken by Wah Toh a couple months ago. Polka Dot met an untimely death on July 21. Her mom, Wah Toh, and her family are in mourning. What follows is Wah Toh's account of the incident. We will miss you, Polka Dot.

*The full name of the doggie pictured is "Dunkin' Donuts." We call him "Dunkin'" for short. Many people mistakenly believe that his name is "Duncan."

Dear Family,

We finally located the body of Polka Dot and have retrieved her remains. It was a sorrowful sight (pics available upon request). The suspect mutilated her head and wings. Part of her torso was torn. In the absence of DNA evidence, all circumstantial evidence points to two possible suspects: one suspect wears a mask and the other is believed to possess nine lives. The victim did not have a trespassing habit. She is very mindful of boundaries.

In order not to have Polka Dot lose her life in vain, we have decided to use her remains as bait to lure the criminal. If caught, we will be sure to use the criminal's body as a sacrifice on Polka Dot's altar.

We inspected the crime scene and found lots of feathers from both Polka Dot and Creamy Espresso (not pictured). After giving Creamy Espresso a physical check up, we noticed that she also suffered head and eye injuries. No other wound was noted.

Please join us in mourning this tragic event. We will update you as the investigation develops.

Wah Toh

Update: Additional photo of Polka Dot, courtesy of Wah Toh:

Happy Birthday to Kashy Boy!

2010-07-13T20:40:00.000-07:00

Dear Kashy,You will forever be my little blonde-haired, blue-eyed baby boy. I know that you like all sorts of crazy foods, including fruits, so here is a watermelon cake for your eating pleasure. I love you! Don't eat too much, you will barf it up and you know who will have to clean the floor...Your mom,nn

Happy Birthday, Cl. Panic! by MonkeyPig, guest blogger

2010-07-13T20:11:00.000-07:00

HappyBirth CI Panic

and Many more tomato

Cl. Panic's Tomato Plants Begin to Panic

2010-07-05T21:33:00.000-07:00

Check out Cl. Panic's tomahtoes!

Happy Birthday to Ca Loc!!

2010-07-02T22:53:00.000-07:00

Happy birthday to Ca Loc! Thank you for all the times you gave me a bath in that yellow vat, and for trying to feed me dinner after Wah Toh took me to eat fishball noodle soup. Here is a pair of jeans to replace the ones that Jean Cutter ruined in Vietnam.

Happy Birthday to Sushi and ogunsgirl !

2010-06-22T11:41:00.000-07:00

Hello Kitty, you are the best kitty in the world. Your smiley face and judgmental eyes are always in my heart. I hope you have found new friends in Kitty Paradise. Momma will be there in several decades and then we can play all day! I love you! In the meantime, feast on this:

To my dear friend ogunsgirl, what a year! Here's to another 7 years of friendship!

Coworker <3

2010-06-12T09:23:00.000-07:00

by Cl. Panic, TWONNCotY

The firm formerly known as Nu Nu & Nu, LLP recently demanded my immediate and substantial attention in Central Desertland, home of a baseball team currently ranked lower than the San Francisco Giants. I packed up and shipped out on short notice, with no time to arrange my own privisions.

Low and behold, FedEx found me, bearing gifts from the homeland. Thanks to my thoughtful coworkers, I was showered with fresh-baked cookies and a smörgåsbord board of snacks and treats. Nothing like treats from home.

My remote feed closet is now stocked and ready for action!

Thanks for the <3

Bread Car

2010-06-05T23:26:00.000-07:00

No, I'm not talking about a lame car that's made of bread, but I know what you guys are all going to say when you finish reading this post--"Yes, I WOULD buy bread from that car!" Okay, check this out...

L. Woods and I go to lunch quite often and we almost always take the 101. There's an access road that runs right next to the freeway. A couple months ago, I noticed that I frequently saw a white car that drove along the access road on the way back to the office. I named it "The Bread Car." When you see it, you'll know why:

Right? I would totally buy bread from that car! Can you imagine a bread service that brings you fresh baguettes every other day? I would pay for that, especially if they delivered the bread in The Bread Car. Anywho, L. Woods has since seen a moldy bread car and, yesterday, I saw a pumpernickel bread car.

I know what you're thinking right now.

"Hm, yes, I WOULD buy bread from that car!"

Hiking

2010-05-31T17:28:00.000-07:00

by MonkeyPig, guest blogger

Hi Fellow Nuers

Happy Memorial Day 210. Remember all those who sacrifice for our Freedom.

On the subject of chicken - remember the millions of Snow White and Daisies supporting our celebrations every holiday. Hooray for steroid, antibiotics, feed lots... the ribs were great.

Went to South of Savannah this weekend. KOA (Kamp of America) is great. It allowed wannabe-outbackers like myself indulge in the "wild" with all the amenities of modernity. Its great to be surfing the net while the mosquitos are feasting on your toes and the birds are using your head as their toilet.

Woo and Bays had a good time. Skidaway island is a great place to spend the day hiking. There are millions of Fiddler crabs on the damp marshes. They are small crabs with one large claw and one small claw.

Remember that sci-fi movie about the Army ants that were invading the Texas town. Man, it gave me the goose bumps seeing millions of moving dots across the marsh.

Bays was busy going into the swamp. I was surprise to see him swim. I thought that wimp would not know how to swim. (Didn't have pic of that...next time).

Woo enjoyed some walking. But she spent the majority of the hike on her thrown.

You peasant, kneel!!!!

"Good boy..Now, bring me my bone and then off with her head after she feeds us dinner."

Evening at the camp.

On saturday night, it was dark and I was ready to watch my DVD on the lawn chair. I heard some skuffle. Lo and behold, the Queen claimed the throne. I almost died laughing. I ended up sitting on the floor to watch my movie.

Fowl Play

2010-05-25T09:19:00.001-07:00

by Cl. Panic, TWONNCOTY

For a while now, we've entertained an occasional visitor from down the street. I think I first spotted our friend crossing the road about a year ago. I initially took her sighting as a sign that I should just get back in bed and not go to work. After all, what's with an urban chicken crossing the road? She disappeared for a while (we suspected the local restaurant), but turned up again. And lately she's taken to lounging in our bushes and driveways. A-dog is convinced that she's just being fattened up for her slaughter, but I like to think she's an egg layer and soil tiller.

Anyhow, this morning on the way to work we found two ducks roaming down our alley. Ducks? Really? We've yet to determine where they came from. They are definitely new since they're still a bit skittish (and did not agree to a photograph like our friendly chicken).

I think that GTMcG may be onto something with her new business plan.

Oh, we are accepting submissions for names for our new friends. I have been informed that Tikkamasala is "inappropriate."

Tomatoes

2010-05-19T01:41:00.000-07:00

Cl. Panic has started a trend. I am also imprisoning tomato plants! Courtesy of Green Thumbs McGillicutty, these plants were arrested and jailed at her home. After conviction, they were transferred to the world's most tranquil, welcoming, and comfy prison, located at The Nu Warren. Sure, the Nus tell the plants that the beehive shaped cages handcrafted from chicken wire are to protect them from the vicious squirrels, but we all know that these killer tomato plants have a very high recidivism rate for tomato production. Hopefully, they will put their time in prison to good use (the Nus offer workshops to teach prisoners a trade, like cream whipping or flower eating).

Homemade Whipped Cream

2010-05-19T01:21:00.000-07:00

Check out these strawberries that I bought at a local fruit stand! They are humungous, as big as a rabbit's paw.

We couldn't bear to put Redi-Whip on these babies, even though I normally love Redi-Whip. So I got some heavy whipping cream, sugar, and vanilla and Mr. Nonny Nu whipped it into a bowl of delicious, mouth watering homemade whipped cream. Here's a close up.

Remnants

2010-05-19T01:04:00.000-07:00

We have developed the new practice at the Warren--having fresh flowers each week! It really livens up the place. This is our third week. The first week was an assortment. The second week it was cream and purple roses. This week it's starfighter lilies. See, aren't they nice? Yesterday morning, Mr. Nonny Nu discovered that something was amiss. The victim was interviewed. Further investigation led to the apprehension of the thief (note that the mug shots clearly show remnants of the orange pollen along the thief's lip and neck).

What's growing in Cl. Panic's Garden?Cl. Panic, guest blogger, TWONCOTY

2010-05-17T09:23:00.000-07:00

Spring brings a lot to the table. While there is a growing air of discontent at the office (not Spring's fault), other thing are growing too! Local Nu Warren friends had a chance to experience the invasion of the Sugar Snap Peas. The Panics spent a little time tending to the garden a few weeks ago (I tilled the soil; A-Dog brought me a cold beer).

Anyhow, the new crop has been planted. Thanks to GTMcG, we have 4 refugee tomato plants. We're growing two Al Kufas (an organic heirloom breed from Iraq), 1 labeled as Pink (though I believe there's no relation), and 1 Turkish Striped Monastery (only recently introduced to the States). We've caged the Pink and Turks since they seem to be troublemakers, but have left the Al Kufas free since they (according to my sources) are supposed to be smaller and less likely to need cages to feel at home.

We've also planted creeping rosemary and strawberries! I'm pretty excited that they've already started to put out. Look how embarrassed the first one is...

The lime and lemon trees are in full flower, with some baby fruits just beginning to form. With any luck, they will soon find themselves in mojitos, margaritas and assorted summer drinks.

Dear Nonny Vol. I

2010-05-12T14:04:00.000-07:00

From time to time, I will post the answers to some reader questions. Today, I received an urgent inquiry:

Dear Nonny,

Last week, I was hired at the law firm of Drones 'R Us, the firm that Nu, Nu, & Nu, LLP merged with last year. I like it here well enough but I know that my days are numbered. Employees like me only last a week or so, but that is to be expected--I am brought in to do a very specific job and once my contract expires, I am literally removed from the office with a quickness.

One of the things I have gotten used to is the twice- or thrice-daily visits I get from you and another permanent employee named L. Woods. I heard from my predecessors that you two ladies also visited often while they worked there. But, lately, I haven't heard or seen L. Woods at all. She hasn't called or emailed or sent any form of a message to me (I am always at my desk). Do you know what happened? Was it something I said?

The Temp

Dear The Temp,

No, it wasn't anything you said. L. Woods is just out of the office taking and defending a couple of depositions. She'll be back next week, but your contract expires tomorrow. I'll let her know that you said hello and goodbye, though. See you in a few...

nn

Final Harvest

2010-05-07T11:01:00.000-07:00

This is Cl. Panic's final harvest of peas. They were so scrumptious!

So long, little sugar snap peas! xoxoxo

Rabbit Salt and Pepper Mills

2010-05-04T00:29:00.000-07:00

About a week ago, I got a very neat surprise in the mail. MonkeyPig sent me these rabbit-shaped salt and pepper mills. Super, super cute! You grab the rabbits by their ears* and you squeeze the ears together to grind the pepper and salt. They work really well! As you can see, the pepper is almost gone. Since getting the salt and pepper rabbits (ha! Sounds just like salt and pepper shrimp except it's salt and pepper rabbit in this case--"tsieu yeem toh"), we've cooked more than normal. We've used the rabbits in preparing steaks, spaghetti, burgers, and eggs.

Thanks, MonkeyPig!

*note: You should never grab a real bunny by its ears.

Look what I can do now!!

2010-05-02T11:39:00.000-07:00

My last attempt at posting was a bit of a failure. I was trying to post a picture like I normally would. But the problem was the link that I posted was to my entire album instead of just the picture. Not that I mind you all looking at my albums but that's just not the look and feel that I like. Cl. Panic suggested last night that I email the photos into the blog and then draft the posts after that. It worked!!

I have to do the old style blogging (being mindful of the actual coding) but it works!

Look what I can do!!

2010-05-01T12:51:00.001-07:00

I got an iPad because I don't have my own computer at home. I'm blogging from it right now!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Kashy's Traumatic Childhood Event

2010-04-21T14:05:00.000-07:00

A couple nights ago, something traumatic happened to Kashy Boy. I was sleeping. I mean, really sleeping. I was sleeping so hard that I apparently didn't hear a water glass crash to the floor downstairs. Anyway, around 4:00 a.m., I woke up to find Kashy Boy laying on my chest like he normally does. But, when I reached up to pet him, I sensed that he was unusually still. That immediately snapped me out of my semi-dream state. I felt around him and I didn't feel him purring. I could just barely feel him breathing.

I woke up Mr. Nonny Nu and we turned on the light. Kashy had this around his neck and over one shoulder! Mr. Nonny Nu quickly got Kashy untangled. After we petted him and reassured him, we went downstairs to investigate.

It turns out that Kashy got into my lunch bag. Before going to sleep that night, I put the lunch bag, with a piece of bread saran-wrapped in the bag, next to my purse so that I would remember to take it to work the next day. In the middle of the night, Kashy got into it (he LOVES bags), got tangled in the handle, freaked out, and struggled through the double-sink, across the length of the counter, and fell off the edge while dragging a water glass with him.

I'm just glad that he didn't get cut from the broken glass. It must have been a struggle for him to get up the stairs and onto the bed. Poor little boy. He wasn't himself for a day. He still isn't completely back to his usual self, but he's getting there.

Happy Birthday TWONN

2010-04-15T09:32:00.000-07:00

by Cl. Panic, Guest Blogger

Because visiting TWONN was so much better than paying taxes.

Pea Epidemic

2010-04-11T01:24:00.000-07:00

(Pea City, Apr. 11, 2010)
Three months ago, an invasive strain of the sugar snap pea appeared in and around The Nu Warren. The peas were initially believed to be benign, but recent events have proved otherwise. Likened to the recent epidemic of crystal meth addiction, the effect of the sugar snap peas are being felt far and wide. Several Friends of the Warren have fallen victim to this pea epidemic. Symptoms include increased heart rate, blurry vision, and a heightened level of enthusiasm for sugar snap peas.

Most recently, approximately 25 kilos of the dangerous sugar snap peas was discovered outside of a Friend's house. The street value of this crop is estimated to be downwards of $1.25. This cache of peas, which have grown to almost as tall as a certain neighboring rabbit, have leaves the size of a rabbit paw and are eagerly anticipated by many Friends. The pea-growing Friend (name withheld but pictured here) describes the peas as having a "magical" effect.

Look what I'm wearing to work today!

2010-04-09T00:28:00.000-07:00

I received a wonderful gift this past week--a beautiful turtle shell necklace! My father-in-law (The Scorpion) sent it to me. It belonged to his mom. Back in the early 1960s, The Scorpion's mom and dad went to visit the Grand Canyon. They came back with a beautiful necklace handmade by Native Americans out of silver and turtle shells. I didn't know that turtle shells had so many colors!

The necklace is composed of roadrunners, the New Mexico state bird (but The Scorpion and Mr. Nonny Nu are sons of Arizona). My favorite one is the purple roadrunner, and my second favorite is the white with brown streak (upper right hand corner). But, of course, I love the many other colors, too. Here are some additional pics with a different colored background (here and here and here).

Thanks, Scorpion!

Alfalfa Sprouts

2010-04-05T12:05:00.000-07:00

Does anyone else like alfalfa sprouts? The picture on the left is the sammich that I'm having for lunch today. I bring the ingredients to work and then assemble the sammich at lunchtime. It has wheat bread, romaine lettuce, tomatoes, pastrami, alfalfa sprouts, and mayo and mustard. This sammich could not have been made without the insight and connections of Ca Loc.

First, the mayo and mustard were procured from Noah's bagels. Whenever I get Noah's bagel dogs, I get a couple packets of mayo and mustard and keep them at the office. That way, I always have fresh m&m on hand without having to keep large jars in the refrigerator. Ca Loc taught me this!

Second, I remember distinctly the first time I ever had alfalfa sprouts. I was around 8 (maybe?) and was being babysat by Ca Loc's friend's then husband, Shigero (I was friends with their daughter, Bernice). So, Shigero was making sammiches for Bernice and me, and that was the first time I ate alfalfa sprouts. It was love at first sight.

Thanks for the sammich, Ca Loc!

Birthday Wishes for A-dog

2010-04-02T13:00:00.000-07:00

It's The Nu Warren's first birthday celebration.

Happy birthday to A-dog! Here's to another 18 years.

(to be updated to Apr. 2, A-dog's actual birthdate)

Pea Tasting

2010-04-01T15:38:00.000-07:00

Wow, doesn't the title sound disgusting?? But, it was really such a wonderful experience. Back in January, Cl. Panic gave me two pea plants. Each of them yielded two peas. One of the four peas grew very slowly and the other three peas just could not wait any longer to be eaten, so I invited Cl. Panic, Green Thumbs McGillicutty, and L. Woods for a pea tasting here at work.

As you can see, the pea pods were a pretty good size and the peas themselves were gigantic. The problem was, there were four of us and only three of them. So, Cl. Panic and I shared one.

The peas were delicious! I'm glad that the original plan of bringing them to be cooked and eaten at hot pot was nixed. We tasted these peas in their freshest, just-picked glory. It was spectacular.

As an aside, I anticipated that, even with four pea pods, it would still be a pretty meager food offering for four grown people, let alone the actual situation where people outnumbered pods. So, I brought some baby carrots and ranch dip to accompany the peas. But, it was still slim pickings after that. The whole situation where we had to slice one of the peas in half was totally hilarious because it reminded me of those old WB cartoons where they showed very poor families slicing a loaf of bread so thin that the bread slice would float down to the plate!

Welcome!

2010-03-31T13:27:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Nu Warren!

Just like the rabbits in Watership Down, the Nus, sensing imminent destruction of their old warren*, set out for a new Nu Residence on the edge of a meadow. There were many happy and many sad memories from the old warren, but it's a new day! We must move on!

So, mirroring the Nu's move to the new Nu Residence, Nonny Nu is moving the TWoNN citizenry to The Nu Warren.** This is a new chapter in the Nus' lives and we would love to share it with you. We also encourage you to share your lives with us. Welcome, friends!

*Now foreclosed on the owner from whom the Nus were renting.
**Wow, did I just refer to myself in the third person?