Safe and Sound

 Got a text from NN... "Tornado and flood warnings."

Then another text... "We're stuck!"

Followed by... "We got Dutch Bros."

I sorta kinda made light of the situation.  When I caught up with the news... little did I know how dangerous the situation actually was.  Flash flooding all over southern Texas with the heart of the storm being about 40 minutes away from where they stayed.

Her description, upon returning, was much more doom and gloom than, "We got Dutch Bros."  which at the time... made us think everything was fine and dandy.  Fish-tailing. Hydro-planing. Going 10 mph.  Sheet of white on the windshield. Seeking cover at a Canes. Finally.. taking sanctuary at a Costco. 

When you send your kids out to the real world... let alone the Mission field... you gotta be prepared be for anything and trust in the Lord for everything. 

God bless our brothers and sisters that were at Mynamar this past week. 

"Why not?"

Teenagers are hard to talk to.  You try to engage in decent conversation by not asking Yes / No questions.  And even if you try and ask questions like “How was school?” It’ll be quick answers like, “Good.” Or “Fine.” Or “It was Ok.”

Then you get into the Why? And there comes the all powerful, “Why not?” 

It’s a seemingly simple answer that pretends to be engaging.  But in fact… it’s a rude, slap in the face remark where all it does is throw the question back at the initiator with zero response other than a tsunami of, let’s change the subject. It’s a sure sign of shutting off any desire to continue a conversation.  A proverbial slamming of the door.  And taken the wrong way… but really the only way… stop bothering me.

 

向世界出發

 Two years later... it's SW's turn.  See you in 10 days!!  East Coast Trip 2025.

Day of Reckoning

It's finally come to pass - my day of reckoning, day of awakening, day of.... fill in the blank. 

Topsey Turvey

 Last week was a topsey turvey week... what do I mean by that??

On Monday... I had a presentation to the VP and his direct reports.  I crushed it.  To the point where the VP said, "that's the best XYZ presentation I've ever heard."  And multiple Directors complimenting me on a job well done.  I just did my job.

Then on Thursday... things got heated in a meeting where I slammed the table with a Director. "WTF are you talking about?!?!?"  I laid it all on the table.  The entire mood in the meeting was shook. That became the most lively and most participated meeting in my 3 years in this job.  The Director pseudo apologized afterwards and I was like... "the heck with you!!!"  Everyone was clamoring to talk to me aftewards to which I said... "I've got your back, through thick and thin."

From the highest of highs to the lowest of lows... I have to realize... I am a steward of my Lord.  I represent my faith.  And I may be... the only bible that anyone reads.  God bless me. 

重出江湖

 After a 10 month hiatus… I’m back drumming on a worship team. But to make it so much more special… serving alongside me as a vocalist is my Nui Nui Ju.

There were some kinks… NGL… we had 40 minutes of practice and I was so raw… especially the third 6/8 song where during practice, I was completely lost. But thankfully… it all came together in time for a wonderful, spiritful worship session. 

Thank you Jesus!!!

瀟瀟灑灑的·給我瀟灑的上機

Took mom to the airport today.  It had never occurred to me that I can go through security with her and walk with her to the actual boarding gate with an airport pass.  It makes things so much easier... for her... for TSA... and frankly for me too.  I mean... SFO is an international airport and they deal with non-English speakers as much as natives.  But it's always helpful to have someone translate. 

We got to the gate... had some time to kill so we ate an expensive Filipino meal there... which, I have to say, wasn't that bad.  Other than the price.

Then it came time for boarding.  Mom's boarding pass had her at Group F.... but the friend that bought the ticket for her signed her up for pre-boarding.  It wasn't explicit on the pass... so it was good that I went up to ask.  It was a full flight... so she may not have had room for her carry on and that woulda been a debaucle if they forced her to check it in last minute.  OMG..... 

Then it was time to board.  She grabbed her luggage... scanned her pass... and disappeared.  Without even a wave or a goodbye.  She was gone.

And I.... was genuinely emotional.  She's back in 6 days... but still... Don't know what it is about airports... separation... departures.  For a brief moment in time... I started to well up.  I'll be darned.... 

The Year of the Rat...!?! Part Quince

We'd set this appointment long before we finally caught Mickey.  And they contractors finally showed up.  The came one time to scope the scene of the crime and give a quote.  Then they came back performed major containment.  Stuffing and blocking pipes, crevices.  Created fencing for the little gaps under the garage door, even going into the crawl space to block off any possible entrance or exits to the outside world.  They went far and deep.  

In the crawl space... they said there was rat droppings everywhere.  Who knows how long Mickey has been living down there.  We had food.  And they found a leaky pipe.  So he had water.  Let's hope this is the last time I post about this topic.

Bar Experience - Part 3

I'm a big boy now. I went to the infamous Emeri's restaurant in the heart of New Orleans and sat the bar. A gentleman ended up sitting next to me.... and we both had our time to ease in... order food, play with our phones. Then I started with the same opening line the older gentleman said to me the other night, "You from outta town?" And we hit it off from there.... had a wonderful evening of sharing, eating, breaking bread... literally. I gave him a piece of my Fried Oyster Bao Bun!! Heh... bar hopping, eh??

Gumbo at Emeri's - 3 star - maybe?? 

Shrimp and Lobster dumpling with Chili Oil

Fried Oyster Bao Bun

A "Walk Home Drink" for me to sober up

Bar Experience - Part 2

 Went to eat at the bar again at another local cafe.  This time... no one spoke to me.  The guy to my left was rude and loud to the bartender/waitress.  The guy to my right ordered a plate of shrimp and bowl of gumbo and tended to himself.  I actually felt kinda sad.

Phil's Marina Cafe - Crab Cake

Softshell Crab and Gouda Grits

Bar Experience

When I'm traveling for work... I often eat at the bar.  I'll get a menu, maybe order a drink, watch some TV if there's a game on.  Get in.  Get out.

Tonight... down in NOLA... I went into a little local cafe I guess.  I've been here before so I wasn't completely a stranger.  Like last time, I was on the only Asian and at the bar, strangely enough... were all old men well into retirement age.  Did I just walk into some sorta "special" bar I wasn't aware of? Were they having a monthly gathering or meeting of the local chapter?

I was famished and just wanted to eat.  But amazingly... one of the older gentleman started striking up a conversation and he was just the friendliest guy you can encounter.  He was obviously a local... flirting with the bartender... making wise cracks with his buds.  Then another guy comes in... and he introduces me to his friend. 

It felt uncomfortable... but after awhile... I started to like it.  They weren't too intruding... giving me time to eat.  And before you knew it... he paid and left.  

A fun bar experience.  Is that what going to a bar is suppose to be like?

Fried Seafood Platter (oyster, shrimp, fish)

loaded potatoes

Chicken and sausage gumbo - 5 Star quality