Getting ready for Summer 2014

I believe that parents should get the month of September and June off.  September because it takes a lot of work to prepare for the start of a new school year.  There are summer reading, writing and math requirements to finalize, bigger shoes and clothes to buy and summer routines to transition into fall.  June because there are so many end-of-school year events and celebrations - not to mention getting the girls ready for camp (t-shirts, tanks, shorts, pool shoes, bathing suits, sunscreen, camp forms, etc!).  The past two weeks have been inundated with Lauren and Elizabeth's school events and I just have to hang on for another week and a half when the school year will come to an end on Tuesday, June 10.

Here are all the events our family has been participating in!

1. Pre-K Spring Sing, Tuesday, May 20, 2014 - the Pre-K worked so hard to learn several songs!  Ebi was shy when she walked into the Reception room but started rocking it shortly after.  She has such a personality.  I love her so much!

Our Ebs at the annual Pre-K Spring Sing performance.

Hugs with dad afterwards.

2. Field Day, Friday, May 30, 2014- our first Field Day. Go Team Red! Lauren did great!  She won the 50-yard-dash and 1st grade tug-of-war. My little one is FAST!  She was known as the fastest runner in Pre-K after all...

Ebs with her BFF Gabrielle Silvia (Pre-K cheering on!)

Lauren still looks so little here in a sea of grades 1-8.

Lauren's signature smile.

Ebs and Gab with their teacher Ms. Heidi Weintraub.

Lauren winning the 50-yard dash!

Look at that game face.

3. Elizabeth's 5th birthday celebration with her Pre-K class, Monday, June 2, 2014.  We had a post-lunch ice cream sundae party.  Yummy!  Elizabeth had so much fun!  Lauren read a book to the class and everyone in Pre-K loved it when Tae did his silly dance.

Decorated and ready for the Pre-K to return from lunch.

Lauren joined us for the festivities!

4. Lauren's 7th birthday celebration with her 1st grade class Tuesday, June 3, 2014.  Chef Tony made delicious cupcakes, and we brought Pirate's Booty and mini pretzels.  Lauren was so excited to celebrate with her friends and her smile was ear to ear the entire time!

Thank you Chef Tony!

Our birthday girl.

Who knew? Birthday child gets to pick two friends to deliver leftover treats to faculty and staff!

Looking ahead, end of year party for 1st grade is Friday, June 6, end of year party for Pre-K is Monday, June 9.  Of course Tae and I are prioritizing these and will be attending.  Back to my original thought...parents should get the month of June off!

A better way to say sorry

I often get asked the question, "Do your children get along?"  And my response has consistently been, "It's love/hate at the moment.  One minute they are laughing, hugging and playing nicely with each other and the next, they are fighting or annoying each other."
 
I have one very specific childhood memory.  My dad would never get mad at me or my brother for anything (throwing water balloons off our 3rd floor balcony onto unsuspecting people?  No problem!) except for when my brother and I fought.  We were taking one of our famous road trips somewhere and I remember my dad pulling off the road to discipline us.  It worked...for that moment.  My brother and I fought like cats and dogs until we left the house for college.  Even now, we have disagreements of course, but they are quite tame.
 
Lauren for the most part doesn't bother Elizabeth.  She's not the type to intentionally try to get under someones skin like my Ebs.  Lauren finds joy in reading a Rainbow Fairy book, coloring, writing or playing with her ipad.  Elizabeth likes to copy, tease and get a reaction from her big sister, which of course is all very annoying to Lauren.  I have dealt with these types of altercations in primarily two ways.  Number 1: I send both to their room or give one a time out so she can calm down, realize her actions and finally say sorry.  Number 2: I tell them to deal with it on their own (typically when I don't have the energy or patience to execute Number 1).  In any event, the discipline ends when one says "sorry" and the other one says "it's okay."

However, I came across an article today about a better way to say sorry.  And here is the framework: 

1. I'm sorry for _____.
2. This is wrong because _____.
3. In the future I will _____.
4. Will you forgive me?

Following this framework teaches the children what it means to be sorry and deliver a genuine apology.  As the recipient, it teaches children about forgiveness. 

I'm excited to try this!  I'm sure I'll have plenty of opportunity when I get home from work (I get home usually by 6:30 and they are in bed by 8:00 but you'd be surprised how much arguing can happen in just 1.5 hours!) 
 

My Elizabeth

I am truly blessed to have two daughters who are so different yet extraordinary in their own ways.  I want to focus on just Elizabeth right now.



Elizabeth at 4 & 3/4 years old

Elizabeth is strong, full of pride and mature.  She has amazing imagination, advanced vocabulary and loves to role play.  Elizabeth is independent, strong-willed and yes, short-tempered.  She is funny, fashionable, sweet, sensitive, empathetic, FULL of personality and extremely lovable. In essence, she is exactly half of me and half of Tae. 
As a younger sibling myself, I know what it's like to constantly be compared to your older sibling, especially if your older sibling is seemingly "better" than you in a specific area like academics or athletics.  I also know what it's like to want to "copy" your older sibling yet find your own identity.

Next Tuesday, May 20, 2014, the Pre-K class will perform in their annual Spring Sing.  I know this from Lauren's Pre-K year that one of the songs they will perform is to demonstrate their developing phonemic awareness.  Elizabeth just started singing one of her Pre-K Spring Sing songs this past week in front of my mom, brother and Lauren.  Here is the video I captured.  Elizabeth's body language, disposition, facial expressions and performance all collectively capture all that is Elizabeth.  I get an immense smile on my face every time I watch this video.  As you can clearly see, she brings sheer joy into our families' lives.

We love you so very much Elizabeth!

Always loves to show a little shoulder!

Look at this face (with her lovie Baby Gom)

Lauren's 1st figure skating competition

I don't even know how to start.  As a mom, I get to experience thousands of proud moments.  Elizabeth slowly beginning to read and write in pre-k.  Lauren's score of 100% on every single spelling test in 1st grade to date.  Lauren and Elizabeth being invited by their gymnastics school to try out for their accelerated program because they exhibited interest and skill "beyond their peers." I can go on and on.

Today, Lauren competed in her first figure skating event and last Sunday before her lesson, she did a "dress rehearsal" just before the public session at her home rink, Iceland.  Lauren was a bit nervous leading up to her taking the ice (the anticipation is always tougher than the real thing!) but she did great and gained confidence for sure.  It really helped with today's main event.  Lauren was in the "Basics 3" group and had program requirements of stroking, pumping on circle, slalom, back 1 foot glide and 2-foot spin.  There were about 8 children in this category and just like skating events you see on tv, each group had a warm-up session and then each skater went on.

Lauren did two quick dry-runs of her actual program during the warm-up and she was the first to go on.  I gave her only two marching orders: 1. Try your best and 2. Have so much fun!  Boy, did she ever!  She entered the ice with confidence, nailed each requirement and had a lot of fun.  One of the sweetest moments for me was Priscilla's (Lauren's coach) embrace after her performance.  Her student made her proud. 

Priscilla said Lauren's scores would likely be available in the next 30 minutes so we stuck around and watched the next group go on.  Then Priscilla guided me to the score posting area and learned Lauren earned 1st place!!  She received her first trophy!  We didn't stay for the actual ceremony because we had to meet up with Elizabeth and Tae for dinner.  However we had a celebratory dinner at Umberto's in Lauren's honor.  She was showing off her trophy to the wait staff, NHCC members we just happen to have met there, strangers...it was awesome!

Official results!  Lauren Kyung #1!

Lauren said, "I love competition!" and informed me she would like to do another one "in June."  I thought to myself, "Good!  Because in life you are going to have to compete a lot for a lot of different things!"

Here is Lauren's 1st place performance.  I am so proud of you Champ!  And because my Lauren is my Lauren...as I tucked her in tonight and said goodnight, she said to me, "Tomorrow I am going to write Priscilla a thank you card."  Heart of gold that one.
 

Cantiague Park Ice Rink, Hicksville, NY

Last-minute strategizing with her coach, Priscilla

 

Final warm-ups

1st place trophy

Lauren's first-ever trophy

Congratulations Lauren!

 

Lauren's first piano recital (and a note about my extraordinary mom, Kyong Hee Woo)

Lauren had her very first piano recital at school on Fri, Feb. 28, 2014.  What was supposed to be a quick performance turned into this significant life-lesson/realization for me.  I shared my thoughts and feelings with my friends and they all strongly suggested that I share them with my mom directly.  I will one day, but for now, here is the mail in its entirety:

Hi ladies,

 

(warning: this will be a lu-mark type mail...)

 

Big life events like going away to college, landing your first job, getting married or having children are clearly defining moments in one's life. However I truly believe that "life" is really about "small moments" and I love celebrating them.

 

Today Lauren had her very first piano recital. I had nothing to do with it. The piano teacher picked the music and my mom was diligent about practicing. I just showed up at 11 a.m. to take the video below. Lauren of course fully expected to play the piano in front of an audience. However she wasn't prepared to "present" the names of the songs in front of the audience as instructed by the head of lower school.

 

As you'll see in the video, Lauren was very nervous and on the verge of tears in the beginning (I know the sickening feeling very well!). She looked at me and I gave her this look only a mother can give a child. This look was enough to hold back the tears, give her the strength to speed through the names and get to the part she prepared for. This small moment was so significant to me in so many ways. First, my little Lauren now has "experience" with performing in front of an audience. Second, she unknowingly learned how to find strength within herself when she needed a boost. And finally in turn she gained confidence. Future performances or public speaking events will be just a tad easier each time.

 

My mom had a similar reaction while watching the video (she couldn't be there in person because she was expecting her sofa delivery) and she watched several times with tears in her eyes. I am sure she experienced a whole other set of emotions being Lauren is her daughter's daughter. She told me that the past 6 years flashed in front of her while watching the video. She recollected meeting Lauren for the first time. Taking her to infant classes. Making her first solid meals. Basically realizing the love that has grown between them over the past 6 years. And she genuinely wondered how time passed so quickly. 

 

What does this say about my mom?? She just loves us to death. Just that simple and pure love. She is so freaking amazing and I thought a thought I never articulated before...how lucky I am for so many things but mainly for being born into the family I was born into and having a mom like mine. She inspires me to be great and I am so grateful for her.

 

 Okay enough! I'll get back to my dvr'ed shows now. Enjoy the video!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awhr2vlOpBk&sns=em

Recital program

 

 

Family traditions - February ski trip

Me and the girls at the Waffle Cabin (Okemo Mountain).

For the 3rd year in a row, the Kwon-Cho, Pak-Kim and Woo-Kyung families rented a house in VT to enjoy a few days of skiing and fun.  When Ebi was just 2.5 years old the first time we took the girls skiing, I didn't ski.  Lauren did her private lessons while I stayed with E and basically played with her in the snow.  She had her full gear - boots, skis, helmet, etc. but I felt it was too early for lessons.  That year, I pushed her up a teeny tiny hill myself and she slid down cautiously. 

Last year, Elizabeth received her first set of lessons and did pretty well.  Still, she struggled to make it through the full hour of instruction, magic carpets and pizzas.  This ski season was completely different.  When we took Elizabeth out on the mountain in December at Mountain Creek, she willingly went with her instructor and easily made it through the hour lesson time.  My goodness...she even looked like she was having fun!  Though she took the lift with her instructor, she didn't have the confidence to take it with us.  Fast forward two months, and again, it was a totally different experience than the last.  This year, we tried Okemo for the first time.  Elizabeth had two days of excellent instruction and on both days, she took the lift with us!  I had a moment on the lift where I looked at both my big girls and thought to myself how much they have grown.  Our family of four was on the same lift skiing together.  It brought me so much joy.  Here are three videos of Elizabeth skiing - lesson, lift with Tae and cruising.

Speaking of how much they have grown...on the last night, both Lauren and Elizabeth even slept in the bunk room with Katie, Matthew and Gavin.  Lauren wanted to sleep in the top bunk so badly that she was working really hard the first two nights to prove to me that she was ready.  Elizabeth of course wanted to stay with Lauren.  About an hour after tucking them in, I went downstairs to check up on them.  Lauren was in deep sleep snoring softly :-) and my Elizabeth was also in deep sleep with her lovies.  They were such good girls on this trip.  I was very proud of them.

One more point of reflection...Lucie, Chris and I - as mothers - are the heart of our families.  We, like every mother, want the best for our children.  We make sure they are warm, have full bellies and smiles on their faces.  For me, I know and truly appreciate the fact that life is made up of small moments here and there.  This annual ski trip has become one of those cherished moments.  I am so grateful for my family and friends always, but especially coming off this trip to Okemo, I wanted to recall specifically how much Lu and Chris are such an important part of this journey that is life. 

Excited to ski!

Ebi coming down the mountain with her dad.

Skiing with my Lauren.

A little bit of heaven in VT.

My girls.

This is what 5 hours of skiing did to Ebi...she passed out on an ottoman!

Kwon-Cho, Pak-Kim and Woo-Kyung children in the house...

Going home.

Sleeping with her mouth open just like mom.  :-)

The stakes are getting higher

Just wanted to document (though I'm sure I'll never forget the experience) the journey of putting together my first AMG Client Council meeting on January 22, 2014 in Seattle.  It was a meeting with 7 marketing executives centered around innovation, out-of-the-box partnership ideas and relationship building.  I owned the meeting end to end - aligning internally, setting the agenda, working w/ partner teams to produce content and following up afterwards.  I got a lot of positive feedback from both clients and internal stakeholders.  I worked so hard (put in hundreds of hours, revised, reiterated and changed things up until the last second, lost sleep...!) and it feels so amazing to receive this acknowledgement.  I learned a lot and truly believe I grew tremendously with this experience.  Here is some verbatim feedback I received.  Names withheld to maintain anonymity...but I'll always remember who took the time to send me these amazing words.

• “…you did such a great job today!!!”
• “Thanks again for doing such a fantastic job.  You nailed it.”
• “you've done a great job pulling this together. I know that there have been a lot of moving pieces and org changes that complicated this, and just wanted to let you know I've noticed how on top of it you've been. Just a quick shout out. :)”
• “great job this week.  I can’t wait to see your notes and I am being serious!!!”
• “Hi Jeong, were you happy with the Council?  Heard great things!”
• “Really nice work on this.”

For me, a high-stake meeting like this is like a planning a wedding.  You plan and plan and plan, stress, coordinate, rely on others and do everything you can to plan your idea of a perfect day.  But when it's showtime, it's showtime.  You have to stop, step away and let the show go on.  Yes, people will comment about what a beautiful wedding it was, how much fun people had and how the food was delicious.  But the true measure of a successful wedding is the success of the marriage that follows.  So though this meeting was considered a success, I am maintaining my high bar for success and ensuring this has my mark for as long as I own this.

 

News of success travel fast.  All of a sudden, I am being invited to more meetings with more senior people and more opportunity.  It is becoming crystal clear that the stakes are getting higher.  More visibility.  More expectation.  It is very stressful at the moment and some days are harder than others.  I often dread the journey but when it's over I am on this incredible high.  I know one of these days, I will retire from corporate America and these moments will be a distant memory.  For now, I'm trying to remember to have fun, do my best and let the show go on.  At the end of the day, I am so proud of myself and so grateful for my mother, husband and daughters for allowing and enabling me to live this extraordinary life where I can focus on both my career and my family.  Thank you!

 

And how lucky am I to be working for such an extraordinary company like Amazon.com?  4th quarter results were announced last week and the stock price jumped to over $400 a share!