My blog
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Kid in us...
Friday, Aug 24, 2007 12:52AM / Standard Entry
On my way to work today, i saw a funny thing that made me smile. as the subway pulled up the station and the doors opened, i hurried in and found a seat. not long so my eyes wandered off. there seated a few feets before me in a corner was an old guy. his hair were all white, well most of what's left of it anyway, and his glasses were perched on his shining head. he was looking down with his eyes darting back and forth. and in his hands was a psp. wow, i've never seen someone his age would be interested in those or even knew what they were. my smile slowly spread from ear to ear. all thru my ride, he never bothered to look up; was only mesmerized by the gadget in his hands. as my stop neared i thought to myself... i hope to be like him one day, still having that inner child w/in us.
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A Solemn Day
Tuesday, Aug 21, 2007 3:27AM / Standard Entry
My friend's dad passed away last monday and the wake was held yesterday at a funeral parlor. as i walked into the front entrace of the building, all i saw was a sea of black. seems like there were 2 ceremonies goin on. as i walked toward the room's entrace with my friend's dad's name on it, i spotted familiar faces who were already seated. As i made my way toward the front center of the room, all i heard were snifflings and low murmurs. i said a little prayer in front of my friend's dad's coffin and walked toward the family. when it was my turn to greet the family, my friend saw me and hugged me for what must have been the longest 30 seconds. her embrace were strong and felt like it was tightening as she was trying to tell me something. and she was trying hard but everytime she opened her mouth, she sobbed and hiccups came out. after a couple of failed trials, all i could say to her was, "it's okay". as i made my way toward an empty seat, all i could think of was the fact that i can do nothing for her. i was frustrated b/c i couldn't make out wat she was saying. i sat there with teary eyes and started to sniffle only to looked up when our rev. leung came up and spoke.
wow, i found out so many things about my friend's dad. for example, he's an expert at chess but he will not win everytime b/c he wants to give ppl a chance; or that he valued relationships and family. finally, my friend gave an eulogy; about the life her dad had endured: from a city kid in shanghai forced to lived in the countryside in fujien, doing harsh labor during the revolution; of how he was not studious and took up smoking; nonetheless his writing was of like calligraphy to her; of how the whole family came to america; of how he didn't speak a word of english or possessed any skills, thus becoming a dishwasher in a restaurant, the lowest job of the low, till finally becoming a cook coming home once a week just to provide for the family.
only 10 yrs ago, that he suffered a heart attack and had an open heart surgery that he was home often since no one would hire him. her father was depressed and frequent hospital visits didnt help. thus, he turned to alcoholism. As i looked into my friend's eyes, i knew she could barely continue. somehow the sobbings didn't stop her. as she continued, i had to look away a couple of times or look at the flower wreaths behind her. she was glad that the lord had given him 10yrs to spend more time with his family and bear witness to 3 grandchildren. she was grateful that her father had accepted christ before the lord took him away and that he died peacefully in his sleep. his favorite passage was psalm 23 and we recited with her:
1The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,3 he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.4 Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.6 Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.As she made her way back to her seat, wiping her tears, rev. leung came up to conclude the ceremony. for the last time, each one of us lined up to our respect to her dad. when i finally reached my friend, we hugged each other and all i could whispered into her ear was that "he is in the lord's home now". through swollen eyes and chattering teeth she murmured back, "i know. i know."
when i exited out the room, i spotted some other friends in the lobby. i found out that someone whom we knew were having the ceremony in the next room for her grandmother. but she seems to be doing fine: chatting with us and being her usual self. i guess it way different when one's ur dad and one's ur grandmother, even though they r close.
After a while lingering in the hall, a bunch of us left together to go home. as we exited the front door of the funeral parlor, it seemed that the lord had felt my friends' pain and were crying with us. we opened our umbrellas and made our way home.
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Surprise Daddy-To-Be Party
Thursday, Aug 16, 2007 4:59AM / Standard Entry
I’m sure everyone heard of a baby shower for the mom-to-be. What about a baby shower for the daddy-to-be? Well, this past Saturday, I had the honor of taking part in the whole surprise party for Wins, the daddy-to-be. I was in charge of the decorations and party supplies (plates, cups, etc.). The wife, KD, organized it well and the plan was well thought. They live in
1) Why am I staying over at the couple:Wins & KD place? (I’m also helping w/ food preps)
2) Why is another friend, Gin, staying over too? (helping w/ food)
3) How are we gonna cook without Wins being suspicious?
4) How do we get Wins out of his home so we can cook? (my bro will be the main guy to get him out the house somehow)
5) How will he end up at Syn’s place for the party?
One week prior to the party:
The plot:
KD has been feeding Wins that my bro and his friend (kind enough to let my bro stay over at her place for more than half a year) are not getting along. She can feel the tension between them and asking Wins if he’d seen my bro online often or not.
3 Days before the party:
KD to Wins: Blue [ME] is coming over Friday nite to prepare for the food. Her friend is having a party and she’s in charge of food. Me and Gin are gonna help her out.
Night before the party:
At Wins & KD’s place.
Wins to ME: So, you’re hosting a party?
ME: Yeah, my friend is having a party and I’m in charge of the food. Your wife and Gin are helping me w/ the food.
Wins: What’s on the menu?
ME: Popcorn shrimp, curry fishball, buffalo wings, and some other stuff.
Wins: Wow, u guys are having popcorn shrimp?
ME: Yeah, u like popcorn shrimp too?
Wins: Yeah.
ME: So, what are you doing tomorrow?
Wins: I’m free all day!
ME: Wanna help?
Wins: heheh… you have my moral support.
Later on while ME and Gin are de-shelling and de-veining the shrimps (4 lbs) for hours, while Wins is troubleshooting his pc the whole nite (he cant get online)..
KD to ME (whispering): You know, Wins was gonna help with the buffalo wings if he didn’t run into computer problem… hahahah… guess he’s destined not to help with his own party. ;0)
Wins get a call from my bro. Quickly got dressed and brushed his teeth. Got his keys and left the house at
KD came out of their bedroom and said…
KD: Your bro called him to say he got kicked out of the house. I just heard Wins says, ‘OK. I’m coming!’ He said your bro sounded either sleepy or really sad… (chuckles).
ME: Wow, I’m surprised he didn’t ask any questions
KD: Yeah.. in his mind.. he just thought, your bro needs help, I’ve have to get to him. He didn’t even wake you up to see if u wanna go w/ him. Wins almost forgot to brush his teeth…hhehee… I have to remind him.
Wins called KD while driving into
KD: There’s a bomb scare in
We turned the tv on and we saw nothing much to be scared of otherwise every channel on tv would be covering the story. Only one checkpoint on
While cooking all the food, We got another call from Wins saying they’re gonna go to IHOP in
Wins called again to say that they’re gonna go watch a movie. Meanwhile, KD was heard on the phone saying, “Yeah, try to cheer him up and console him. Ok… bye.”
Our friend, Joe who lives nearby came to pick us up to go to
We finally left Wins & KD’s place to stop by church to borrow some big trays and racks to keep the food warm. Got a call from Jay, saying they’re finished w/ the movie and at office depot. Asked us, if we’re there yet. KD was heard on the phone, “Stall him. You guys are in
KD: Guys don’t know how to stall. We can go to a mall and shop for hours.
Joe: Yeah, I guess it’s not manly for guys to go shopping together.
KD: So Joe, do you look/ stare at pretty woman?
Joe: Of course! I thank God everyday that I wasn’t gay. (LAUGHTERS!). I'll stare for a couple of seconds. Maybe do a double take too. (LAUGHS)
We finally got to Syn’s place. We have an hour to decorate the place (streamers, balloons, banner, etc.) and set the table. Great to see everyone is pitching in.
All is set and waiting for the main character to show up. Got a call from my bro. They’re leaving the bubble tea place now. Will call Syn up in 5mins to see “if it’s OK” to stop by and say hello to them. (hahaaaa….)
Syn got a call.
Syn (on the phone): No. You cant come over.. hahaaah… alrite! You guys can come over. Hurry up!
Finally got a call from them. Says will be there in 5 mins. (Guys do really are in a diff. time zone…
Wins and the guys finally shows up. We hid in the corner. As they were taking off their shoes, a balloon burst and my friend screamed in my ear and I screamed. We both fell to the floor. And the banner fell off. We all yelled “SURPRISE!”
Everything that went well did and some things not planned turned out well too. Wins was totally surprised. The look on his face was priceless…
Wins to ME: So, YOUR FRIEND is having a party, huh!
ME: it’s true. My friend, KD, is having a party and I’m helping out.
Wins to my Bro: Here’s an oscar for your acting. So, the stuff we talked about in the car isn’t real? Those were all lies? Man, I don’t know what’s real or not anymore.
Bro: You can’t use me the next time to get Wins again.
ME: No, let’s use the SAME excuse again NEXT time.. . (LAUGHTERS!)
Wins (grinning): Hahaa… how gullible do you think I am? (Pointing to my bro) YOU! You have to wake me up at
Bro: I’m surprised that you came right out to me. You didn’t even need to discuss it with your wife. (OOOHHH…)
KD to Wins: Oh look, Wins, you forgot to shave. (WAAAH!)
Bro: I’m so touched.
KD (Nodding in agreement): See, wat a good friend he is…. So, anyone in the future who wants help… call Wins. He’ll come to you right away with no questions asked. (LAUGHTERS!)
Bro: Yeah, Wins, you didn’t even wonder why I’m calling you? Why you?
KD: hehehe… I’ve been feeding Wins that you and your roomies and not getting along…
Wins: I really thought that you've been kicked out and you have your bags of clothes with you on the street. (LAUGHTERS!) Thanks guys! I’m really genuinely surprised and touched.
[Sometimes you do the things you do, just because.]
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My First Blog (techincally)...
Saturday, Aug 11, 2007 1:17AM / Standard Entry
Well, today is friday... finally. and it feels like a friday with the rain and draggy day. nothing to do at work again....
feels so great and relaxing. wish everyday would be this relaxing. since I've nothing to do, guess i'll post up some of the pics from my recent trip to hk and china (shanghai, beijing, guangzhou/ (enping village), hk, and macau. spent 3 weeks there and still felt like not enough time to see everything. *sigh* but def. going back to hk...
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