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July 31, 2005
Pool Time!
Bert-O and Sam got together for a few laps at the pool. Our prior attempt was some what slow but this time definitely was more interest, even Karen joined them at the pool.
Posted by jachong at 06:24 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
July 29, 2005
Another Graduation Day
Following Charlotte's and Katharina's graduation, Giulia today completed her studies at Towson University. No doubt that the best way to learn a language is to "live" on it. Luciana and I are very proud of her accomplishment.
Posted by jachong at 02:13 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Sex, Lies and Windows
With Microsoft's official launch of their beta version of "Windows Vista" (or a.k.a. Longhorn), I had the chance to review with more detail their features, specially those that Microsoft highlight here.
Funny (or sad, depending of your mood today) to see that these so-called "features" are current features for Macintosh users running OS X 10.4 (or Tiger). Well, my Windows friends, you have to wait to sometime on 2006 to get a glimpse of what Mac users can do on their desktops. Some pics with brief descriptions can also be found here.
The more I know Microsoft, the more I love my Macintosh...
Don't get me wrong, I don't dislike Windows, but aren't you tired of constantly updating the OS and all the software you need to keep your computer "theoretically" safe? Is just a pain on the "arse".
Posted by jachong at 12:30 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 27, 2005
The 103 mark
Today was nasty outside! According to my cars thermometer, we hit 103 degrees (or 39.4 Celsius) but the "Real feel" was about 110 degrees (or 43 Celsius). With those numbers, you can get an idea of how uncomfortable was today.
Tomorrow we should be around mid 80s (or around the 27 Celsius).
Posted by jachong at 08:48 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
July 24, 2005
D (Departure) Day
Today is (was) a sad day. After just one week of staying with us, Charlotte and Katharina packed their bags and returned to Germany...
I (we) hate when time flies!
A complete set of pictures can be found here:
- Through the eyes of Katharina
- Host Parenting 101
- Graduation Day
- Departure Day
Posted by jachong at 01:40 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Host Parenting @ The Rodriguez
Henrike and Claudia shared the same program of Charlotte and Katharina. They where hosted at Sam's house (or Leo and Karen's). We would love to have more time to spent with them. Lovely "kids".
From left to right: Henrike, Luciana and Claudia.
Posted by jachong at 09:21 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Overcoming More Fears
When Katharina arrived, Luciana and I were a little bit concerned because she was afraid of dogs. At the beginning Katharina will not approach Bert-O, but after a week, she was able to overcome her fear towards dogs...well, at least with Bert-O.
Absolute domination:
Posted by jachong at 09:15 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 23, 2005
From Amish-land to Inner Harbor @ Night
You can see some dark and blurry shots here, almost the same link if you want to see an Amish horsey.
Posted by jachong at 06:09 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 22, 2005
Putting Away Those Teen Fears
After several attempts, Giulia finally overcame her fear to camera lenses....
but sometimes her fears still haunt her...
Posted by jachong at 06:38 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Graduation Day
Today Charlotte and Katharina graduated (or completed) her studies at Towson University. I felt very proud. I guess this is how a parent (or in this case a host parent) usually feel in these type of events. Glückwünsche!
Katharina's
Charlotte's
Posted by jachong at 02:27 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
July 20, 2005
Play Nice...Please
- How much do you weight?
- Do you support the war in Iraq?
These are the type of questions that according to Towson University shouldn't be asked by exchange students...
It's sad that this way of thinking is being promoted overseas. Maybe you'll find it right, maybe you'll find it wrong, but if you want to read the whole document, you can download it here. PDF Format
Posted by jachong at 04:48 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
July 19, 2005
Got PSP?
Well, I was heard! Yeah!
See? You can make big things happen. Now you should donate some pennies or better some dollars to a good cause, like the repair of our basement. Don't know how to do it?
No problem!
Just follow this link or click on the button of the right column...is self explanatory and is greatly appreciated. MasterCard, Visa, AMEX are welcome.
Posted by jachong at 10:52 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Yuck!
A few weeks ago I highlighted some of the bugs that roam our house, but this time we discovered this nasty bug crawling in the office. Thanks to Robbi for stumping her number 7 foot on it.
Posted by jachong at 10:30 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
My Birthday
Yup, is today.
C'est la vie, I guess...
Posted by jachong at 12:01 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
July 18, 2005
Simple Math
I got this great watch for my birthday but I have found that several people doesn't understand it...
So here are the instructions:
See? simple math. No more, no less.
Posted by jachong at 12:28 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 17, 2005
Bert-O's Lost Cousin
She was spotted at Annapolis MD.
Posted by jachong at 01:58 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Parenting On Sunday
With almost 100 degrees out there, we toured Annapolis, MD.
From left to right:
Over-heated host parent, Katharina, Charlotte, Laura and Mikaela (sp?)
Posted by jachong at 12:33 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 16, 2005
Free Food!
No doubt that when it comes to free food and drinks, you'll have a great birthday party...guarantee.
We counted over 25 hungry-and-thirsty souls on our house last Saturday. Is always good to see great friends emptying your food and alcohol reserves.
Did I mention free cake and coffee also?
Posted by jachong at 03:28 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 15, 2005
Willkommen!
Katharina and Charlotte finally arrived today to our house!
For our first all-american experience, we decided to take our now "adoptive daughters" to "Cheeburger", a little bit scarier at first but it was well taken (or eaten).
Bert-O hasn't figure out what's going on, though
Posted by jachong at 06:52 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
A New Yorker in Suburbia
Vivian finally made it to Baltimore. After almost 9 years, we shared some caffeine with a few drags of nicotine...finally.
Posted by jachong at 05:32 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 14, 2005
Clarito
Maria Rosa decided to jump into the "pet wagon" and here is the result.
Posted by jachong at 10:03 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 13, 2005
Someone Love Us
At The University of Chicago...
Posted by jachong at 10:31 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 10, 2005
Slow Month
Definitely July has been a slow month for our house...well, I cannot say the same for the sod I put 2 weeks ago. :)
Posted by jachong at 05:06 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 09, 2005
Some Dog Show
Funny to see hundreds (literally) of well-behaved (and skinny) dogs under one roof.
Sorry for the lack of pictures (if you are a dog-lover) but my camera suffered a sudden alergy to dogs. Oh well.
Posted by jachong at 04:14 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Overcoming Those Teen Fears
By the picture you can see that Giulia is becoming less camera-shy. Sooner or later she will overcome the phobia (she claims) to camera lenses.
Posted by jachong at 01:36 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 08, 2005
Damn Hurricane Season!
With tropical storm Cindy passing through Baltimore last night (and this morning), we collected our usual 2 inches of water on our basement...working out in the early morning with the squeegee always lift the morale. **sigh**
Posted by jachong at 09:24 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 03, 2005
Tropical Storms' Names
Funny to find that this year a Tropical Storm will be called "Jose".
I hope that this storm doesn't cause a lot of damage...but on the other hand, my name might hit CNN's headlines. Something like:
"Click here to watch Jose's fury".
If you want to take a look to the already-chosen names for the next 5 hurricane-season storms, take a look here.
Posted by jachong at 09:44 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 01, 2005
If Dogs Could Talk...
What Bert-O would say? Would he be pissed with Luciana for the "look" he has?
Posted by jachong at 01:28 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Things I Hated The Most (When I Was a Teen)
Have my picture taken was one of them. Don't know why?
Giulia is a clear example of that phobia.
Posted by jachong at 01:13 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack