The Domingos' Journey

Just haven't met you yet

2009-12-26T16:29:00.001-08:00

I love this new song by Michael Buble' titled "Just haven't met you yet" It is on the new CD that I got for Christmas from my mom, but I have been listening to it for a little while now. I love to picture our daughter that we are adopting. We are still on the waiting list, but are feeling hopeful for a referral sometime soon-ish. Pray with us if you are so inclined! More updates when we have some.

Settling In

2009-11-20T21:51:00.000-08:00

Sorry for the extended break in blogging. I can't stand it when others quit blogging and am sorry for the lapse. Doug got home in September and we have been running ever since. Never a dull moment around here, that's for sure. We are still waiting for a referal to adopt from Ethiopia. More to follow soon!

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

2009-08-28T23:41:00.000-07:00

So sorry that I have been so neglectful in my posting. This summer has been so wonderful and before we knew it we were right in the throws of back to school. What a blessing to have been so busy. It has really made the last three months just fly by. We are still on the waiting list for our baby girl. At this point, I don't really think that we'll know more until closer to the holidays. It is in His timing! The kids are doing great and they are enjoying the new school year and being back with their friends and teachers. Well, their friends anyway. As the old saying goes for us moms at back to school time...It's the most wonderful time of the year! That is typically my sentiment, although this year was unusually hard for me when it came to sending the kids back to school. I wasn't ready for the early mornings, homework, lunch money, papers to sign, homework, driving to school, afterschool activites, did I mention homework? But I also think it was the fact that our summer was so great and I just hated to see it end. On the flip side though, I knew that the quicker they went back, the quicker Doug gets home! Doug should be returning home to us very shortly and we are so excited! I will definitely post more next week when he returns. I guess it will be the most wonderful time of the year after all!

Sweet Home ...Alabissippi?!

2009-05-27T09:25:00.000-07:00

While I have always considered Mississippi to be "home", my parents somewhat recent move to the Mobile, Alabama area has caused me to pause when telling people where "home" is. Growing up in the Marine Corp always left me telling people where I was from versus where I was at that time. It was as though people wanted to know if you were one of them, or were you just a visitor in that place. I think that it is just human nature to desire to be a part of something that is bigger than themselves. A history, a past and a future. I know that our daughter may struggle with the concept of "home" even more than this old military brat. Will her home be Ethiopia, will it be wherever we are, or will it also be Mississippi/Alabama? Is home just what you have always known...or is home where the heart is...or is home where you are physically from...or is it so much more than any of those things. Although Mississippi will always hold a special place in my heart, I am so thankful that whatever earthly coordinates I most closely relate to, I know that my true home is with my Heavenly Father.

BFF

2009-05-10T23:33:00.001-07:00

What a blessed two weeks we had together. As many of you know, Doug has been gone on a deployment since September of last year. He was able to come home for two precious weeks for rest and relaxation. I was concerned that with everything on our to-do list, that it would be anything but. Our prayer from the beginning was that God would multiply our time together, light our path and order our footsteps. We had SO much to do for our adoption while Doug was home and we didn't want it to be all-consuming. Our time to reconnect and for the kids to get filled up with Daddy lovin' was on the top of our list. We knew that God would have to move mountains in order for it to all happen. He is so faithful! For those of you in the adoption world, you will understand the compexity of what we had to accomplish in two weeks...home study, USCIS (which happens to be 7 hours each way south of us in Anchorage), ALL of the dossier and passports for Doug and for the kids! You can see where we had to place all of our trust in the Lord!!! But, would we really want it any other way? I just kept thinking what affirmation God was giving us by allowing it to all get done in such a brief window. Amazingly, we did complete everything that was necessary while Doug was home and as the pictures show, still had plenty of time for one another. When Doug left, we felt peace about his visit and about our time together. I know for those not in the military, you can not fathom a year apart from your husband. But, He is always with me, He never departs from me. Hear the song again with new understanding of who our best friend is.

John 15:15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

Ooh you make me live
Whatever this world can give to me
It's you you're all I see
Ooo you make me live now honey
Ooo you make me live

Ooh you're the best friend that I ever had
I've been with you such a long time
You're my sunshine and I want you to know
That my feelings are true
I really love you
Oh you're my best friend

Ooo you make me live

Ooh I've been wandering round
But I still come back to you
In rain or shine
You've stood by me, girl
I'm happy, happy at home
You're my best friend

Ooo you make me live
Whenever this world is cruel to me
I got you to help me forgive
Ooo you make me live now honey
Ooo you make me live

You're the first one
When things turn out bad
You know I'll never be lonely
You're my only one
And I love the things
I really love the things that you do
You're my best friend

Ooo you make me live

I'm happy at home
You're my best friend
Oh ya
Oh you're my best friend
Ooo you make me live
You you're my best friend.

R and R

2009-05-10T01:44:00.000-07:00

Many Rivers to Cross

2009-03-10T21:55:00.000-07:00

As the month has gone by and the paperwork is looming, I feel more and more overwhelmed. I know that this is all in the Lord's timing, but I am still a very anxious mama bear wondering where my little one is tonight. I pray that she knows that we are coming for her and that she is warm, fed and clothed tonight. My thoughts are with her often and I find the wait to know who she is and where she is at times unbearable. We ask for extra prayers this month as we work diligently to complete the paperwork that is necessary. I know that there are indeed many rivers to cross and that we are indeed prepared to cross each one.

Hodge Podge

2009-03-10T02:17:00.000-07:00

Surprise!

2009-03-10T01:53:00.001-07:00

Smells like Teen Spirit

2009-03-10T00:31:00.000-07:00

Wow! Forget the fact that Aaron is now 13. Think for a moment that I am just not possibly old enough to have a teenager. Oh my word...13! I guess this is just a new phase in our lives and that I will just have to adjust my brain a little. Even though there is nothing different than yesterday, it just feels a little different. To celebrate, I threw Aaron a surprise birthday party on Saturday. I had invited a few of his friends from school and we walked over to play laser tag and blow a few dozen quarters on air hockey and such. The boys all ran home and took turns playing Rock Band. We went through 5 pizzas, 6 2-liters of soda, chips, pretzels, candy, cake and two ice creams. You gotta love growing boys!

In the immortal words of Neil Armstrong

2009-02-06T19:29:00.000-08:00

Today we received our "Education Packet" in the mail. That is just code for another step towards finding our girl. In two weeks, we will receive our Dossier Packet and the real fun can begin. I know that these things may not sound like a big deal, but in the adoption world, they are huge. I thank each of you that are keeping us in your prayers. With each prayer, you join us on our journey and I am forever grateful.

It's one small step for man...one giant leap for mankind.

New gig!

2009-01-31T20:56:00.000-08:00

I have taken on a new role here in the Fairbanks community. A local dance studio, Dance Theater Fairbanks, is basing their spring performance around a locally written childrens book. I am going to narrate the story for the performance. It should be a lot of fun and will hopefully help me not obsess about the adoption. (I do openly admit to spending way too much time surfing yahoo groups, blogs and snapfish for photos and stories of others on similar journeys.) The book is about a Vole family and the Northern Lights. It is really precious and I can't wait to start work on the project. I had recently decided not to participate in a larger scale production that would have been too time consuming for us right now, so it feels good to still be involved on some level.

First Trimester

2009-01-15T00:42:00.000-08:00

In many ways, I am finding that adopting is very much like a typical pregnancy. We have already conceived the child in our hearts, but the first trimester can really take a toll physically with all of the exhaustion and nausea. With adopting, the toll is in the form of paperwork...and more paperwork...and more paperwork. Exhaustion comes in the form of making sure that everything has been signed and filled out properly. Sometimes I think, "Oh my word, what were we thinking!?" (Just like I did when we found out we were pregnant with each of our biological children.) And other times, I am so excited I can hardly stand it. I think about every possible detail and scenario imaginable. What will she look like. Will I be the best mom for her that I can be. Will I finally get a child that has my curly hair? (Odds are good!) Our first steps have included completing a "mini" application back in September and recently a "formal" application. It is currently en route via Iraq for some signatures from Doug. The next step closer to getting out of this trimester will be to complete our Dossier. We are anticipating that to be completed and sent off by the end of May at the latest. Then, we wait and rest in God's arms for a few months. I think that will be much like the "feel good" stage of the second trimester. Then the third trimester. Knowing who your child is and having to wait to pass court and travel. The stage when you are so sick of being pregnant and just want to hold your baby and to know that it was all worth while. The time when you get to share your child with the world. The time when you get to show the world what a miracle God has done. I hope that the world will see God's beauty in our story. The beauty in how God can do anything!

Our Adoption Journey

2009-01-14T23:18:00.000-08:00

Eight years ago when we had our youngest son Matthew, if you had told us that we would have one more child, we would have very maniacally laughed in your face. The thought of ever having more children would have never crossed our minds. We were so positive about our choice that we even made it permanent. We felt that our family was totally complete. We spent so many tired years with three little ones that we were very happy to move past those days. Don't get me wrong, we loved each of our precious years with them when they were little. But, there were no tears shed to see the last of the diapers if you know what I mean! We celebrated many lasts with Matthew. But, about 4 years ago, I had a quiet voice speak to me that there would be one more. Another girl! The thought that we would add to our family at that time was so impossible in so many ways. For one, Doug thought that I was insane and I think was secretly hoping that I would forget all about it. For another, we were broke financially just trying to take care of the three babies we already had. How could we ever even think about another child to take care of! I never said no to God's call to adopt, but I knew that He would have to move mountains. Well, He has! We are now in the early stages of our adoption process. Our hearts have been completely changed to the idea of adoption and our circumstances have changed dramatically. I can't wait to one day, in the presence of my Lord, see how our desire to be obedient to His call in our lives fit into His master plan.

Lori's Big Day!

2008-12-13T16:00:00.000-08:00

A Decade!

2008-12-13T15:43:00.000-08:00

Lori turned 10 on Dec. 3 and we had a very sweet family day. Then on the 13th (due to her having a very bad stomach bug on the 7th) we had an American Girl Tea Party. She had 10 friends over to celebrate 10 years. The girls each brought their own American girl doll with them and we had an amazing time. The girls were really impressed by the fancy tea party and Lori said that it was the best party ever. You can't really do much better than that! It was a very special party for a very special girl. I can't believe that she is 10 already. Where do the years go? I don't know, but I do know that they disappear all too quickly. Doug, Aaron, Lori and Matthew...Jim Croce seems to say it best.

If I could save time in a bottle
the first thing that I'd like to do
Is to save everyday
'Til Eternity passes away
Just to spend them with you

If I could make days last forever
If words could make wishes come true
I'd save every day like a treasure and then
Again, I would spend then with you

Fall 2008

2008-12-13T15:32:00.000-08:00

Happy Steaksgiving!

2008-12-13T14:35:00.000-08:00

I decided to brush the snow off of the grill a few days before Thanksgiving and grill some flank steak. We made it a big deal just in case we didn't get around to cooking on Thanksgiving day. Well, we did decide to cook for Thanksgiving. (I mean really, what kind of mom would I be if we didn't!) The children really pitched in and helped a lot and it was really nice-just the four of us. A few days before Thanksgiving, we shopped for and assembled Christmas stockings to send to Iraq. We had a good old fashioned assembly line of goodies to put in each stocking. I think that the guys will really love them. In all, we made about sixteen. The kids really love to give and bless others. That's what I am thankful for this year!

Here Piggy, Piggy, Piggy

2008-11-08T23:00:00.000-08:00

Pork Art

2008-11-08T22:28:00.000-08:00

In the Lane-Domingos family, Sausage Balls are a fall/holiday staple. A tradition if you will. Many years ago that tradition also began to include the sculpture of the sausage ball dough into the likeness of a pig face. At times the resemblances are hard to see and other times we question if it should be dissected into balls or put into the Louver for all to marvel at. Our latest batch proved to be very special indeed and both Matthew and Lori were inducted into the Lane brotherhood of pig face artist. I am so proud to pass on this beloved family tradition. I guess that's just what us mama's do!

Who must know the way to make a proper home,

A quiet home, a kosher home?

Who must raise the family and run the home,

So Papa's free to read the holy books?

The Mama, the Mama! Tradition!

London 2012. Here We Come!

2008-11-08T14:49:00.000-08:00

Well, the kiddos are in the early stages of new sport development. A new sport that will take the world by storm at the next Olympic Games in London 2012. The Laundry Luge! This sport is done by riding in a basket/"sled" and luging down the stairs on mounds of dirty laundry.

Caution: This should not be tried by the faint of heart. Only serious athletes and competitors should attempt. Please note that the adrenaline rush is contagious and you will want to repeat this activity often. Please also take note that only when your laundry has been seriously neglected for long periods of time will the conditions be right for optimum luging. On a serious note, please be warned that the photos that you are about to see are graphic in nature and may be frightening to small children and to mothers who would be apalled to ever admit that this could happen to them.

No laundry, delicates or linens were harmed in the making of this event.

LONDON 2012

2008-11-07T15:29:00.000-08:00

AMAZING!

2008-10-26T21:11:00.000-07:00

Well, what a wild ride to say the least! The chapter in our lives called 'Omelet' is now over and we are ready to move on. I have been so totally blessed by this season in our lives. I think that one of the aspects of this that made it especially sweet was that it was all in the Lords will and perfect timing. I could have done many things like this in the past, but it was not the right choice for my family and therefor not the right choice for me. It has been so long since I had allowed myself this precious time that I had forgotten many things.

1. I am AMAZING!!
2. I LOVE being on stage
3. This is how GOD designed me
4. Did I say that I was AMAZING?

Modesty has never been my gift. Obviously!

I hope that you have loved sharing this part of our journey with us, because I have loved sharing it with you.

Reviews are in!

2008-10-17T23:47:00.000-07:00

Shakespeare spoof offers no culture but plenty of laughs
Robert Hannon

Originally published Friday, October 17, 2008 at 12:00 a.m.
Updated Friday, October 17, 2008 at 12:00 a.m.

FAIRBANKS — A cultural fix: That is what a professor of mine called Shakespeare. My teacher thought most people go to see the Bard’s plays not because they like them, but because they want their periodic shot of sophistication.

Well folks, don’t worry about Fairbanks Shakespeare Theatre’s latest production, “Omelet, Prince of Danish.” There’s not a sophisticated bone in its body. The play, written by local stage veterans Claudia Lively and Holly Olsen, has one aim: To poke spirited fun at highfalutin language, soliloquies and contrived plot developments. However, even as it deflates Shakespearean pretension, “Omelet” makes the playwright accessible for a new generation of performers and audience members.

As a play, “Omelet” follows the plot of “Hamlet:” The ghost of a murdered father incites his son to revenge. The son dithers, causing all sorts of complications.

If the storyline is familiar, the setting and time have shifted. The action takes place in contemporary America. The kingdom of Denmark has been replaced by a donut shop called “The King of Danish.” Royalty have been downsized to small town merchants waging a turf war over an adjacent parking lot.

One of the spoof’s conceits is renaming all of “Hamlet’s” characters after food, thus the Omelet/Hamlet connection. The puns don’t always work, but the effort underscores the good-natured silliness at the heart of this production.

The goofiness spills over into the performances. Jennifer Lane Domingos turns in a fun performance as Grapefruit, Omelet’s mother. Domingos plays her like a glitzy gangster moll, while Chris Lease portrays her husband, Candius, like a bearded Godfather, ala Marlon Brando.

Sarah Olsen has a charming wistful otherworldliness as Yolkphelia, Omelet’s sometimes girlfriend, especially when she drowns her sorrows in wine after being jilted.

Thomas Edwards displays versatility and comic inventiveness as Omelet. As he feigns madness he is called upon to engage in all sorts of outlandish behavior that younger audience members will love.

The cast is large and spans many generations. Other standout performers for me include Chris Mertes as Layercake, Mike Mertes as Balognius and Mike Downing who does double duty as both Omelet’s ghostly father and as his school chum Goldencorn.

The set serves up a functional donut shop interior, complete with a counter tops laden with pastries. Lively and Olsen have gleefully lavished a good deal of attention on details; audiences should especially take note of the menu items written on the signboards.

Renata Lively’s costumes display the same eccentric wackiness as the rest of the production. Omelet is dressed like a high-school jock in jeans and lettered jacket, while Layercake heads off to college in short pants, suspenders and a propeller topped beanie.

All this underscores the fact that reviewing a production like “Omelet, Prince of Danish” is beside the point. Like many forms of madcap humor, either you get it or you don’t. If some of the jokes and shtick seem labored or performances over the top that is part of the point. Don’t take this guy Shakespeare so seriously. This is in keeping with one of Fairbanks Shakespeare Theatre’s goals, which is to expand the audience for the Bard, especially among young people.

So snobs, be warned: You won’t find culture here. But those of you who have shied away from the Elizabethan master because of archaic language or confusing plots may just find there is something zany in the state of Danish.

Robert Hannon is Public Affairs director at KUAC. He’s been involved in local theater for 20 years.

Omelet-Prince of Danish

2008-10-08T10:38:00.001-07:00

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun! And maybe Aaron and Matthew, too.

2008-10-08T09:50:00.000-07:00

What a blast we are having with this play. I am so thankful that we are staying busy with something so fun. Lori, Matthew and I are loving being on stage and my non-spotlight loving Aaron is having fun helping out with the props and backstage stuff. It has truly become a family affair. The cast has been so great with the kids. I can't imagine a better scenario for our situation. I am so thankful for His perfect timing.

I'm the one in the Gold Lame' Hot Pants. I never thought I'd say that!

2008-10-08T00:23:00.000-07:00

Making Headlines Again!

2008-10-08T00:08:00.000-07:00

You just can't keep us Domingos Girls out of the news! I was so tickled to see these pictures of me and the cast from the play that we're doing (see past blog for more details). We open Thursday night and will perform four nights a week for three weeks. Whew!

The kids have been such troopers through all of this. They've been on set so much that when we lost a couple of actors near the very end, they asked Lori and Matthew to both be in it, too. Lori actually has a pretty good role and Matthew is just on stage for a few minutes. As you can all imagine, Lori is really holding her own. I'm afraid she's going to steal the whole show!! If only Doug were her to see his girls sharing the stage. He really is my biggest fan. This whole experience is truly bittersweet without him here. Babe, if you get to read this, I hope you know how much we wish you were here. We love you and miss you.

Photos from Deployment Ceremony and Sad Goodbyes

2008-09-19T18:04:00.001-07:00

September Morn (or should it be Mourn)

2008-09-19T17:10:00.000-07:00

Domingos Deployment Day! Well, there are many teary eyes in the Domingos house tonight. Doug left for you-know-where today. We all got to say our goodbyes and get extra hugs to last us for a while. The last few weeks have been quite an emotional roller coaster between the big deployment ceremony (with Sarah Palin) last week and all of the emotional "lasts". Other military families will understand the "lasts". Last day at church together, last tuck in with the kids, last day to play Frisbee outside, last dinner together as a family, etc., etc. The list could go on and on. I know that in a lot of ways we were ready to say goodbye. Now we can start counting down to the biggest welcome home ever!

It's hard to feel too sorry for ourselves when we know that our quality time together in the last year is more than most families have in ten years. We feel at peace about where we are (including this deployment) and about where we are headed. We know that God never gives us more than we can handle and that His grace is sufficient. Yes! Even enough for this year apart from the daddy my children adore, my biggest fan, my best friend, my husband and my one true love.

Come home soon, Babe!!

Lori makes local newspaper

2008-09-12T17:14:00.000-07:00

Lori Domingos, 9, looks over the back of the decorated bleachers during the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Arctic Wolves deployment ceremony Thursday afternoon, Sept. 11, 2008 at Fort Wainwright. Domingos' father, Lt. Doug Domingos, is being ...

Whoo! Whoo! All aboard!

2008-09-11T00:06:00.000-07:00

Last fall I won two tickets for the train in a raffle. We were within about a week of losing them if we didn't use them, so Doug and I packed a backpack with some goodies and hopped on the train. Our tickets were good for a round trip ride to Denali National Park from Fairbanks. We chose to upgrade our tickets to first class on the trip there to really get the full experience. The first class cars have glass tops so that you can see everything while you're riding. What a blast! We were like two kids at Christmas. The trees were beginning to change colors and the views were breath taking. We got to Denali around noon and took a bus to "town". Denali is really small to say the least. We grabbed some lunch at the Salmon Bake Restaurant and strolled through the shops filled with all things Alaskan. The train departed at four in the afternoon and we got back into Fairbanks at eight in the evening. The Alaska train is such an important piece of Alaskan history and has really become a popular symbol of the rugged Last Frontier.

Fall 2008

2008-09-11T00:01:00.000-07:00

These pictures are just a snap shot of the fall. We celebrated Doug's 36th birthday. Oh my goodness! He's getting old!! We got the children ready for another great year at Barnette and we took a day to go play on the train to Denali. And, don't forget we saw a moose. We actually saw five within a two day period! Truly part of the Alaskan experience.

2008-09-11T00:00:00.000-07:00

Here I am

2008-09-10T21:00:00.000-07:00

As most of you (and by you, I mean anyone who would read this blog) know, we have been discussing and praying about adopting a child for many years. We are finally at a place in our lives to be able to move forward with this dream. Our hope is to be able to adopt a little girl between the age of 3-5 from Ethiopia. We submitted our adoption application today and also had our fingerprinting done by the local agency, too. We are assuming that the process will take about a year to complete. This is just the first step of many that we will take this next year on our journey to find the little girl that God has placed in my heart over 4 years ago. Doug and I and the children are very excited about our new addition and we all prayed and laid hands on the application this morning before it was sent out. I am so thankful for the unity we share and for the desire to be obedient to God's call to adopt.

Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.

"Though this be madness, yet there is method in't."

2008-08-23T23:12:00.000-07:00

Well, after close to 15 years, I have returned to the theater. Pause-for dramatic effect. I auditioned for the Fairbanks Shakespeare Theater and won the role of Hamlet's mother. We are not actually doing Hamlet, but a re-made comedy based on Hamlet. It is called, Omelet-the prince of Danish. I read the script through and it is actually pretty funny. I think that it will be a great role to break my 15 year absence from acting. Although, anyone who really knows me, knows I have never stopped acting. Just not on a stage. Ha Ha. Doug is absolutely thrilled for me and so are the children. I know that the timing for this may seem like madness to an outsider looking in. But, I believe that it is God's way of helping me keep the little sanity I still possess. This will be a wonderful way to reconnect with a part of myself that I have chosen to put to the side for a time. I am so thankful that the Lord knows more about me than I do, and that He is in perfect control.

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
Ecclesiastes 3:1

The Endless Summer!

2008-08-23T00:25:00.000-07:00

This summer has been far more fabulous than we had even dreamed it could be. It was one of those magical summers that we will remember forever. We started out here in Alaska and played tourist down in Anchorage for a few days. One word. Amazing! This is the Alaska that people fall in love with. I know we did, too. Next, we were off to my parents in Mobile, Al for a month of summer fun. Towards the end of June we made a short trek up to our beloved Rock Hill, SC and had a special time reuniting with so many friends. We were blessed to spend the 4th of July with my dad's side of the family and as usual there was much food to be had by all. The kids and I headed home for a couple of weeks in July and then were off again to California. We spent 2 weeks with Doug's parents and then began our week journey up Hwy.1 north to Washington. What an awesome-for lack of any other word- drive! We went through San Fran. and had a ball in China Town. Drove through Napa Valley. Played in the Redwood National Forest. Stayed in the adorable Ferndale. We were able to spend a night with my brother and family in Oregon and then a weekend with Doug's brothers and families in Sedro-Woolley. On our way home (space-a flights rock, by the way) we were rerouted to Hickam, Hi from Travis AFB. What a surpise!! God truly had this special detour planned just for us. We spent just 15 hours on Oahu, but we did it up right. We grabbed a rental car and drove around the island. We stopped to snorkel on the north shore, Turtle Bay and again on the windward side. Dinner was at the HardRockCafe Honolulu and we also grabbed a few goodies in Wiakiki. Thank you Lord for the gift of that day!!

Houston, we have lift off!

2008-08-22T23:10:00.000-07:00

Well, we are trying hard to keep up with the times. Everyone is blogging. Friends, family, acquaintances. I doubt anyone will care that we are now blogging, but it will make me feel better about our standing in this tech-y world in which we live. Bear with me as I embark on this new journey of sharing my inner most thoughts with potential strangers. I pray that this would be a space that will chronicle for us our journey through this world and that it would glorify HIM. It is for His glory that I would share my thoughts through this media. Have fun keeping up with me and my gang. I know I sure have fun trying!