Watermark April 16h Kids and Young Adults Dinner

Dear Watermark Parents,

As you might know from my previous email, this school year's final potluck and workshop will be on 5/21.  However, Patrick wishes to still have a dinner gathering with the Watermark kids on April 16th after the WM leaders meeting, so we will order Costco pizzas for them.  Thank you very much, Xiuli Chu and Junfen Wang for volunteering to order, pickup, deliver the pizzas, and the setup and cleanup for this event.  In addition, Xiuli and Amy will prepare some salad, fruits, drinks, and desserts for the kids, thank you both for your generosity.

We estimate 35 kids and young adults will attend, so we will order 8 Costco pizzas (Patrick suggests 4 combos, 2 cheese, and 2 pepperoni) that will total to about $90.  I am inviting Watermark parents to help share the cost by donating money to endorse this event.  Please email to me the amount you can support, and I will be at Watermark this Saturday (4/2, 7:30PM) and at church this Sunday (4/3) to collect your donation.  Thank you very much in advance for your generosity and your support for Watermark.  (Please note, this is not an April Fools' joke. )

Blessings,
Wendar

Fwd: Free Parents Seminar on Healthy Relationship, Love and Sexuality

Hi Watermark Parents,

Please see below the information from Stan Tsai (Luke and Bethany's dad) about a seminar that can be beneficial to parents of teenagers.  Since we will not have a WM parents group activity in April, it would be great if you can take advantage of the opportunity to attend this event.

Blessings,
Wendar

On 3/17/2011 10:07 AM, Stan Tsai wrote:

From: Melanie Lin

Here is the event that we talked about when we all met last time.  A seminar on how to talk to your teens about healthy relationship, love and sexuality.

 

Attached please find the flier for this event.  This seminar will be held at St. Joseph church on Saturday, Apr. 16th from 8 - 9:15 pm with light refreshments following the talk.

 

Please note that this seminar is not just about "sex".  It is about the complete and beautiful divine design that God puts in each and everyone of us which enables us to become a complete human being that is capable of having relationships and intimacy.

 

Please mark your calendar and if both parents can attend, that is always best.  If only one can come, please be prepared to take note because Amy provides lots of wonderful information.

 

I know you all have a busy life.  However, I believe this is one of the best gift you can give to your teens and your family by coming to hear Amy.  Amy will enlighten and entertain with her sense of humor and her professional expertise and show us ways to talk to our kids about these very sensitive and tough topics.

 

Please invite your friends, colleagues, families and neighbors who have high school age children.  It's always better to spread blessings to more people.

 

Feel free to contact Melanie if you have any suggestions or questions.

 

Blessings to all,

Melanie

_

Results From 3/12 WM Parents Meeting

Dear WM Parents,

Here are the results from WM parents meeting on 3/12:

• There will not be a potluck nor workshop in April due to Lent and Spring break schedule of many high schoolers.
  
• Our next potluck will be 5/21.  It will be the last potluck for this school year.  3 parents volunteered to coordinate the potluck and plan a menu, and I will mail out the menu/sign-up email for that potluck around 5/8. 
  
• There will also be a parents workshop on 5/21.  The subject and guest speaker will be announced in early May.

Blessings,
Wendar

Re: March Watermark Parents Activity

Dear All,

FYI, WM kids are welcomed to the 6PM dinner even if they don't attend leaders meeting, but it would help make the volunteer parents' lives much easier if you could RSVP to me by this Thursday.  It is difficult for them to know whether to order food for 40 people or for 10 people without an idea.  Since it's not a potluck, everything purchased are more costly than homemade, and we don't want to order too much extra food when few are coming.  Although some parents offered to cover the extra expense, but I think it's always good to not be wasteful.

WM parents can RSVP to me as well.  WM parents are also encouraged to attend the parents meeting at 7:30PM so we know your input for the remaining 2 months (April and May). We would still like to hear from you even if you your input is that you don't plan to participate in any activities, just drop me a note, so we can determine if the effort is worthwhile.  Thanks.

Blessings,
Wendar

Dear WM Parents,

After much thoughts and discussions, we have decided to take a break from potluck this month.  We will provide ordered food (Pizzas from Costco, pastas and bread sticks from Pizza Hut, and Subway sandwiches) at 6PM for the kids and young adults attending the 5PM leaders meeting on 3/12, Sat.  I will need help from Patrick to provide a head count for me by 3/10, Thursday, thank you.

For WM parents and other WM kids who wish to participate, please RSVP to me no later than 3/10, Thursday, so I can order enough food for everyone.  The parents will meet after dinner to discuss the April and May activities.  The cost will be $5/child, $6/adult, and will be collected at time of dinner.   Please remind your kids to prepare their own water.

Blessings,
Wendar

March Watermark Parents Activity

Dear WM Parents,

After much thoughts and discussions, we have decided to take a break from potluck this month.  We will provide ordered food (Pizzas from Costco, pastas and bread sticks from Pizza Hut, and Subway sandwiches) at 6PM for the kids and young adults attending the 5PM leaders meeting on 3/12, Sat.  I will need help from Patrick to provide a head count for me by 3/10, Thursday, thank you.

For WM parents and other WM kids who wish to participate, please RSVP to me no later than 3/10, Thursday, so I can order enough food for everyone.  The parents will meet after dinner to discuss the April and May activities.  The cost will be $5/child, $6/adult, and will be collected at time of dinner.   Please remind your kids to prepare their own water.

Blessings,
Wendar

Re: WM Parents Feb Potluck Announcement (Update #6)

Dear WM Parents,

Thanks to the 15 families' potluck sign up, we are expecting about 40 people (WM YAGs, WM teens and families, and Fr. O) at the party, it will be a 溫馨熱鬧的 family gathering.  Special thanks to Xiuli and Maria Tsai for designing this month's potluck menu, and for signing up multiple items.

This Chinese New Year Watermark Potluck will be on 2/12 (Saturday) at lower church, 6 PM - 7:30 PM.   Although we are not going to have a workshop, please stay after the potluck, so the parents can have a chance to fellowship and enjoy the CNY snacks together while our kids Bible study at WM.

A couple of reminder notes:

• Please make sure the food are made or cut into serving size for the potluck; large food pieces are difficult for serving.
• Please bring serving utensils suitable for the dish you bring (chopsticks, fork, or spoon).
• Please bring some Chinese new year snacks such as 瓜子, 橘子, 糖果, 花生, 蓮子, etc. to share while we fellowship after dinner.
  

兩隻腳: Chicken or duck (12人份) - Anita (Curry 雞 and 白飯)
兩隻腳: Chicken or duck (12人份) - Maria Tsai (醉雞)
兩隻腳: Chicken or duck (12人份) - Rebecca Lei (Duck)
沒有腳: Vegetables, tofu or eggs (18人份) - Maria Chen (菜甫蛋)
沒有腳: Vegetables, tofu or eggs (18人份) - Wendar Chen (豆腐)
沒有腳: Vegetables, tofu or eggs (18人份) - ChiaoLi Wang (Broccoli)
四隻腳: Pork, beef, or lamb (12人份) - Amy Bau (香腸 and 叉燒肉)
四隻腳: Pork, beef, or lamb (12人份) - Feiwen Deng (鴛鴦拼盤 - 牛肉，半辣，半不辣)
四隻腳: Pork, beef, or lamb (12人份) - Xiuli (豬 肉餡炀白菜 - 40 pieces)
水裡游: Fish, shrimp, or seafood (8人份) - Jenny Lin (去殼鹽水蝦)
水裡游: Fish, shrimp, or seafood (8人份) - Wenching Juan
麵飯類: Rice or noodle dish (18人份) - Rosa Tsai ( Fried Rice)
麵飯類: Rice or noodle dish (18人份) - Catherine Wong (臘腸香菇糯米飯)
餃子 (元寶) (about 40粒, please also provide dipping sauce) - Xiuli (三鮮水餃)
餃子 (元寶) (about 40粒, please also provide dipping sauce) - Junfen
糖年糕 (18人份) - Sandra Hung (紅豆年糕)
糖年糕 (18人份) - Maria Tsai (紅豆年糕)

Happy Year of Rabbit,
Wendar

WM Parents February Potluck Announcement

Dear WM Parents,

There will be a Chinese New Year Watermark Potluck on 2/12 (Saturday) at lower church, 6 PM - 7:30 PM.  There will NOT be a workshop on that day due to complications, so we will try to plan a different workshop in March. 

Xiuli and Maria Tsai are our potluck menu designers this month. Each family can select an item blow to prepare 一道有地方特色的主菜 depending on the region they came from, for example, Taiwan, Shanghai, Shandong, Guangzhou, etc.  But for those who don't really cook, like myself ;-) , some Chinese style 家常菜也很好.  Please make sure the food are cut into serving size by time of potluck; large food pieces are usually difficult for serving.  Thanks.

In addition, every family can bring a package of Chinese new year snacks such as 瓜子, 橘子, 糖果, 花生, 蓮子, etc. to share while we chat after dinner.

Please reply to me via email the category you choose, and the 菜名 if you have it but not required, by 2/8 (Tuesday), thank you.

兩隻腳: Chicken or duck (12人份) - Anita (Curry 雞 and 白飯)
兩隻腳: Chicken or duck (12人份) - Maria Tsai (醉雞)
兩隻腳: Chicken or duck (12人份) - 1 family
沒有腳: Vegetables, tofu or eggs (18人份) - Maria Chen (菜甫蛋)
沒有腳: Vegetables, tofu or eggs (18人份) - Wendar Chen (豆腐)
沒有腳: Vegetables, tofu or eggs (18人份) - 1 family
四隻腳: Pork, beef, or lamb (12人份) - Amy Bau (香腸 and 叉燒肉)
四隻腳: Pork, beef, or lamb (12人份) - 1 family
四隻腳: Pork, beef, or lamb (12人份) - 1 family
水裡游: Fish, shrimp, or seafood (8人份) - 1 family
水裡游: Fish, shrimp, or seafood (8人份) - 1 family
麵飯類: Rice or noodle dish (18人份) - 1 family
麵飯類: Rice or noodle dish (18人份) - 1 family
餃子 (元寶) (about 40粒, please provide dipping sauce) - Xiuli (八 寶三鮮水餃)
餃子 (元寶) (about 40粒, please provide dipping sauce) - 1 family
糖年糕 (18人份) - Maria Tsai
糖年糕 (18人份) - 1 family

Happy Chinese New Year!
Wendar

Photos From 1/15 WM Potluck and Workshop

Dear WM Parents and Guests,

Hope you enjoyed a fun potluck and an informative workshop tonight ... okay, last night.  Here are some photos from the events to share with you:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=320333&id=521775578&l=e0a9176fab
Hope to see you all again at our next WM event on 2/12.

99,
Wendar

Re: WM January Potluck and Workshop (Update #5)

Thank you all for the quick and generous responses!  The list is completely signed up.  If you and your child(ren) wish to join us and still have not yet sign up, I have added a few more items below for your choice.  It will be a great new year's potluck gathering (between Western New Year and Chinese New Year), I look forward to seeing all of you.

Cheers,
Wendar

------------------------------
Dear Watermark Parents,

Happy New Year!  Please join us at the next Watermark potluck (6 PM, lower church) and workshop (7:30 PM, Room #2) on January 15th (Saturday).  Thanks to 曉雯, Anita and 雅慧's coordination, they have designed our January potluck menu, looks very yummy.  Please sign up by replying to this email no later than 1/11 (Tuesday), Thank you.

炒米粉            36人份 ---  雅慧(Vivian's mom)

蘿蔔糕             36人份 ---  雅慧(Vivian's mom)

咖哩角             36人份 ---  Anita (Jasen Lei's mom)

魯肉飯(w/白飯) 36人份 ---  俊芬

紫米八寶甜粥   36人份 ---  曉雯

熱水+茶包        36人份 ---  曉雯

炒飯  12人份 --- Amy Bau

炒飯  12人份 --- Xiuli Chu     

滷蛋  24粒切半 --- Rebecca Lei

滷肉  12人份 --- 王巧利 (Chicken)
滷肉  12人份 --- Vincent Lau (Pork)

滷肉  12人份 --- Lisa Lee(Beef)

滷豆腐干  12塊切片 --- Wendar

滷豆腐干  12塊切片 --- Maria Tsai

炒青菜      18人份 --- Maria Chen (Anthony Lee's mom)
炒青菜      18人份 --- Rosa Tsai
水果         12人份 --- June Chen (Austin Chen's mom)
水果         12人份 --- Feiwen
年糕           30人份 --- ???

The subject for this month's workshop will be "Preparing Our Teens for College".  Some of the sharing topics on this subject are:

• Finance - When to set up bank account?  When to let them have debit card or credit card?  Debit card vs. credit card?
• What amount of allowance (零用錢) and expense is sufficient but not too much?
• 注意事項 with college application, dormitories, transportation, safety, etc.
  
• How to cope with difficult roommate and privacy issues in the dorm?
• What kind of change will our teenager face when they enter college?

I have invited several past WM parents to the panel to share their experience, they are:

• James Hua 華正朔 - 1 son and 1 daughter
  
• Simon and Cecilia Liao (廖煥中, 郭武湄) - 2 daughters and 1 son
  
• Kaimin Yang (楊開敏) - 1 son
  
• Rosemary Hua will also join us if she's available.

They will also be our guests to the potluck.  Tony Fu will be the workshop facilitator.  If you have any specific questions relating to this subject, feel free to let me know before1/13, thank you.  I look forward to seeing all of you then.

Peace and Joy,
Wendar

Re: Reminder - WM January Potluck and Workshop

Dear WM Parents,

All the items on the potluck menu list are completely signed up by 18 families, thank you so much for your generosity.  We are expecting 50+ people coming to the potluck (18+ families, 6 YAGs, 6 guests), it will be a fun and joyful gathering.  If you wish to join us but have yet to sign up, please pick any one of the  items with the stars (***) to bring (please let me know what you pick as well).

Please remember to bring serving utensils with the dishes you bring!  Also, only tea will be served with the meal, so please prepare your own drinks if you and/or your children wish to have something different.

The potluck will be 6PM at lower church, and the workshop "Preparing Our Teens for College" will be 7:30PM -10PM at room #2.  Look forward to seeing all of you then.

Blessings,
Wendar

------------------------------

*** 炒米粉            36人份 ---  雅慧(Vivian's mom)

蘿蔔糕             36人份 ---  雅慧(Vivian's mom)

咖哩角             36人份 ---  Anita (Jasen Lei's mom)

魯肉飯(w/白飯) 36人份 ---  俊芬

紫米八寶甜粥   36人份 ---  曉雯

熱水+茶包        36人份 ---  曉雯

*** 炒飯  12人份 --- Amy Bau

炒飯  12人份 --- Xiuli Chu     

滷蛋  24粒切半 --- Rebecca Lei
滷蛋  24粒切半 --- Hongfei Xu

*** 滷肉  12人份 --- 王巧利 (Chicken)
滷肉  12人份 --- Vincent Lau (Pork)

*** 滷肉  12人份 --- Lisa Lee(Beef)

滷豆腐干  12塊切片 --- Wendar

滷豆腐干  12塊切片 --- Maria Tsai

炒青菜      18人份 --- Maria Chen (Anthony Lee's mom)
炒青菜      18人份 --- Rosa Tsai
水果         12人份 --- June Chen (Austin Chen's mom)
水果         12人份 --- Feiwen
年糕           30人份 --- Annie 立玫Chen

Watermark January Potluck and Workshop

Dear Watermark Parents,

Happy New Year!  Please join us at the next Watermark potluck (6 PM, lower church) and workshop (7:30 PM, Room #2) on January 15th (Saturday).  Thanks to 曉雯, Anita and 雅慧's coordination, they have designed our January potluck menu, looks very yummy.  Please sign up by replying to this email no later than 1/11 (Tuesday), Thank you.

炒米粉            36人份 ---  雅慧(Vivian's mom)

蘿蔔糕             36人份 ---  雅慧(Vivian's mom)

咖哩角             36人份 ---  Anita (Jasen Lei's mom)

魯肉飯(w/白飯) 36人份 ---  俊芬

紫米八寶甜粥   36人份 ---  曉雯

熱水+茶包        36人份 ---  曉雯

炒飯  12人份 --- Amy Bau

炒飯  12人份 ---          

滷蛋  24粒切半 ---

滷肉(beef/pork/chicken)  12人份 ---          

滷肉(beef/pork/chicken)  12人份 ---          

滷豆腐干  12塊切片 --- Wendar

滷豆腐干  12塊切片 ---

炒青菜      18人份 ---
炒青菜      18人份 ---

The subject for this month's workshop will be "Preparing Our Teens for College".  Some of the sharing topics on this subject are:

• Finance - When to set up bank account?  When to let them have debit card or credit card?  Debit card vs. credit card?
• What amount of allowance (零用錢) and expense is sufficient but not too much?
• 注意事項 with college application, dormitories, transportation, safety, etc.
  
• How to cope with difficult roommate and privacy issues in the dorm?
• What kind of change will our teenager face when they enter college?

I have invited several past WM parents to the panel to share their experience, they are:

• James Hua 華正朔 - 1 son and 1 daughter
  
• Simon and Cecilia Liao (廖煥中, 郭武湄) - 2 daughters and 1 son
  
• Kaimin Yang (楊開敏) - 1 son
  
• Rosemary Hua will also join us if she's available.

They will also be our guests to the potluck.  Tony Fu will be the workshop facilitator.  If you have any specific questions relating to this subject, feel free to let me know before1/13, thank you.  I look forward to seeing all of you then.

Peace and Joy,
Wendar

Drinks for WM Potluck

Dear WM Parents,

Please don't forget to pack drinks for yourself and for your teens when coming to the potluck.  We've been trying to encourage everyone to prepare their own water/drinks, and hopefully we can produce less trash by using less paper cups and water bottles in the process.

Please also feel free to bring your own reusable plates/forks too, but we will continue to provide disposable ones in the mean time for everyone's convenience.

Thank you very much and God bless.

Wendar