Happy 19th to Mark!

Dinner to celebrate Mark's 19th Googleversary!  Grateful for all that Google has provided for Mark and our family since before Ethan was born.  

Fresh fish caught by the Chings, so tasty. 3 of us + popo devoured it.  

Team lost 1-2 but was fun watching Mari play and not give up. 

"May the 4th be with you" treats from work. I don't usually like cookies but these were so good. Instead of fondant (which I don't like) the black was made from dark chocolate and Chewy was made of gingerbread cookie, so yummy as it was not too sweet! 

Teddy likes my new pillow 

We were all excited to use our washing machine again after laundry room was completed but it died on us. Will be more expensive to repair than replace so new one should be coming this week. Final 2-week stretch for our upstairs renovation!  

 

Soupy meals on cold days

Monthly dinner with my US-based siblings. Always fun chatting away and miss Tracy.  Can't wait to see Tracy next month in Sydney for lots of yummy meals together! 

Trying a new local restaurant for FFF dinner. Was yummy, looking forward to going back.  

Had the honor of taking cousin Alisa to the hospital to deliver baby girl Rae Lynn who was born on April 23. 

Mari giving Teddy a much-needed bath.  

I'm currently helping out Google's financial benefits team. This past week, I gave a talk about the FIRE movement (financially independent, retire early).  Google offers so many amazing financial benefits, I want to help my co-workers take advantage of them. 

 

Hardwood floors have been installed upstairs. Few more weeks and we should be done with our upstairs remodel.  This weekend is also our 20th anniversary in our home. So many fond memories and looking forward to many more for F&Fs.  

Donated our cabinets to Habitat for Humanity... glad they can be put to good use.  

Star Wars Celebration in Japan

Father - son trip to Tokyo for Star Wars Convention. Ethan and Mark had so much in London 2 years ago, Tyler also skipped school and joined.  They are already looking forward to 2027 in LA. 

Apparently, so much excitement with 100K fans from 125 countries! 

Yaku niku dinner while Ethan's networking and partying with his new friends from a faraway galaxy. 

Authentic Ramen 

French brunch to kick off Spring break

Dinner with my life group 

Louie-Ching Easter dinner @ Kai Palace 

Easter Service and brunch with dear neighbors. 

 

Lots of dates

Belated bday hang out with my dear college buddy. Always so good to catch up with Nina who inspires me in so many ways. 

Korean lunch after church 

Evening family stroll around our neighborhood. A treat when this teen will join us for a stroll. 

USA vs. Brazil soccer game 

Dinner date at Valley Goat, new south bay restaurant. Always so fun chatting and connecting.  

 

More yummy food with dear family and friends

Yummy dim sum in San Mateo with my mom and 2 out of 4 siblings. Glad we live close and get to see each other pretty often.  

Yaku niku dinner at Googler friend's home. So fun! 

Celebration dinner with Alisa and Chris before they become parents in about 2 weeks. 

Followed by homemade churros in East San Jose. 

Baby girl is looking good. 

Visisting my maternal grandparents. It's been 20+ years but I still have many fond memories.  I miss my Gma's cooking. Like her, I like to gather people over food. 

Boys enjoying some 1:1 time and a new pho place by campus. 

 

Mark doing laundry at Google (3 min away) bc we'll be without washer/dryer for a few weeks due to renovation. Our first time using this perk, apparently it's a popular one. 

Triple date in Pleasanton

Went to Pleasanton to see Uncle Jim give a talk on famous artists with arthritis then we had Thai together. So special to hang out with our elders. 

FFF this week - Italian at Eataly @ Valley Fair Mall followed by some shopping. 

Girls' night at my neighbor's house. Love these gals.  So fun to eat, drink and laugh together! 

Soccer girls' fuel - Cane's fried chicken

 

Cincy, Ohio

I spent the last few days in Cincinnati, Ohio for a personal finance conference. So fun to meet some of my fav podcast hosts and folks around the world who share the same nerdy passion.  Here we are on an urban hike around town. I learned a lot and met some cool folks. 

Father-daughter dinner date at Eataly. 

Sushi dinner. 

Mari's soccer game in Pacifica, lost 0-1 but girls had a good time. 

Mari finally moved back into her room ... hardwood floor, squared the round corner and fresh coat of white paint.  She's excited to decorate now. 

Ethan had a great trip to Dubai with his Marshall Business School classmates. He visited lots of businesses and cultural spots. Grateful he had an amazing experience and got back home safely.