Tonight was our last Wednesday Night Dinner until 2006.

Each Wednesday night, we have dinner with the same group of friends at a restaurant chosen by a rotating weekly "dictator". Our primary targets are in San Francisco, the east bay, and the peninsula. Founded and made official by our good friend Emmet Sun (little Emmett's namesake) in 2003, we have been going regularly since 2004. Sadly, we're going to miss quite a few WND's while we're away.

(Big) Emmet, this week's dictator, chose a favorite: Island Cafe, a Malaysian restaurant in San Mateo, thoughtfully close to us in Foster City.

15 adults sampled 7 entrees: lamb rendang; chicken curry; coconut prawns ("rock star!"); fried tofu with seafood; "open heart vegetable" with shrimp paste; Malaysian-style chow fun; Malaysian-style pork chop; and 5 appetizers: lumpia; fried chicken wings; chicken satay; beef satay; and roti. 2 babies (Zoe and Emmett) were passed around and adored by all.


Emmett, who has been a regular at WND since the tender age of 3 1/2 weeks, was tossed around like a pizza by his Uncle Jim. Best of all, he managed to keep his dinner of turnip, broccoli, brown rice cereal, pear, and Oatios inside and not all over his uncle or his Auntie Lisette.

Uncle Stew fashioned Emmett his very own iceberg lettuce yarmulke, much to Joyce Bernas-Yung's dismay.

For old time's sake, here we are at Baby Emmett's very first Wednesday Night Dinner on December 15, 2004 at Mi Lindo Peru in the Mission. (Emmet is holding 3 1/2 week-old Emmett at the far end...Emmet(t) squared.)

The three of us are staying at my parents' house in Foster City for the rest of the week (my parents are in San Diego until Friday). Emmett and I spent a very relaxing Monday at David's sister Shirley's house, although it was hard for me to get much accomplished because Emmett wouldn't let me out of his sight. He seems particularly sensitive with all the changes that have taken place in a short amount of time, coupled with the onset of a bit of separation anxiety.

Today (Tuesday) was quite busy with Emmett's 9-month check-up and more good-byes: Elizabeth and Susanna; Kathy, Molly, & Alice (pictured); Bernadette; and dinner at Tina, Laurence, Andrew, & Abigail's house (pictured).

Meanwhile, David is working at a fast pace trying to tie up loose ends with work, and I need to find time sort out my thoughts regarding my dissertation. Can't decide how much data to pack with me....

We did it! We're out of the house!

There was a bit of a mad rush at the end (unloading our fridge, dropping off random bags and suitcases next door, packing up our last few miscellaneous belongings), but we managed to leave the house in move-in condition before our renters showed up. (Emmett agreed to serve as a model in these photos showing how empty our house has become.)


We're spending the night tonight at David's sister Shirley and brother-in-law Dave's house next door. They have two boys, Kevin (age 4) and Owen (age 2). They adore Emmett, and Emmett wishes he could keep up with his cousins. Shirley made us an elaborate Thai feast tonight which was a total treat since we haven't had Thai food in ages.





It's going to be hard to say good-bye....

We're trying to carefully plan our last few meals here in the U.S. "What will we miss eating most in Paris?" dictates most of our meal decisions. Today, we had lunch at Khana Peena, a new branch of the Indian restaurant that opened down the street from us.


For dinner, Helen had a hankering for Korean food, so along with Jen, we all went to Pyong Chang Soft Tofu House in Oakland near our house. I strayed from my usual seafood soon tofu and had pureed soybean jigae. Everyone else had a variation of soon tofu, and we all shared an order of kalbi and OB beer.


Emmett enjoyed soft tofu with his dinner, too, along with brown rice cereal, pureed sweet potato, peach, and a handful of Oatios. His tofu, however, didn't come in a super boiling hot spicy broth filled with seafood, vegetables, and other goodies.

We're packing up our house and getting it ready for the family that will sublet from us while we're away. Two more days before we move out; 9 more days before we depart for our semester in Paris.



Tonight was our last French lesson with Helene Hertz, our very rigorous teacher in North Berkeley. We were only able to squeeze in 12 lessons, but she always managed to leave our heads spinning after each hour. I can't wait to try out what we've learned in Paris, and I'm fully prepared to not be understood at first...but I vow to have no fear and just dive in!

While David and I were struggling to conjugate the verb "avoir" with Madame Hertz, Emmett was having a grand evening with his Auntie Kathy, Uncle Tony, Molly and Alice at their home where he could not have been showered with more love and attention. Afterward, we all got to hang out in their brand new tent.