Father Daughter Time in Japan

 1 of 2 posts dedicated specifically for my daughter after our Japan trip

In recent times… whenever we go on family vacation or tornaments, I no longer make the mistake of waking up and sit in the dark to wait for the fam.  I get up… shower… and leave.  Walk and go find a coffee bar to just chillax.  To think.  To plan.  To journal.  To read?  There’s something magical or spiritual about that personal me time.  Add on the hustle bustle of a family vacation and it’s almost a vacation on top of a vacation.  The ala mode to the apple pie.  The extra innings to a 1-1 tied baseball game.

But amazingly… during this trip… virtually every morning… NN would wake up early.  And as she’s done with the restroom…and I go shower… she’s almost always ready to go.  So every morning… for almost the entire trip.. we get to explore and walk the streets of Japan together. 

 

The first day to Noem coffee… and it wasn’t even opened yet.

The next day to that mom and pop shop that offered a hardboiled egg and dry toast.

The Starbucks that was 20 minutes away…

Followed by the next day… Joyce wanting to join us.

And then in Tokyo… the two local pastierries…. And eventually… on the last day… to Tully’s. 

The one day she slept in after a long day of journeying… turned out to be the exact alone time I wanted and needed… so I can research on Beyhunting.  Yes… I love father daughter time.  But I didn’t mind that morning I went by myself TBH.

The first couple of days… it was an ask.  Then it became a rhythm and habit.

 We get back on Thursday.  Friday… Saturday… I make coffee at home and unapologetically drank the entire French press by myself.

On Sunday…  I went out to grab a donut for her before she left for Sunday Morining Breakfast and she texted, “hi” “wru”  “Bahbee got coffee without me? 💔“

 And like I told NN… one of the best moments of Japan.  Getting coffee with my NNJ every morning.  Exclusively just us.  Those… very, very cherished moments in time.

Highest Highs to Highest-er Highs!!!

 At POLI this week… our team bonding event was attending the Angels’ AA affiliates, the Trash Panda.  And we get to have 1 member our team throw out the first pitch. 

I normally wouldn’t make a scene or rock the boat… but I quickly shot my hand up and was gonna duke it out with others.  But when I made my plea… and honestly, others didn’t care… that it was on my bucket list, every one yield.   I was voted by my peers to toss out the first pitch!!!! 

Ran back to the hotel.  Texted the fam.  Texted my buds.  This was THE MOMENT!!!  Then I started tossing the a sock in my hotel room to warm up.  Wouldn’t wanna embarrass myself and miss the plate or skip the ball.  That would be the worst!!!

I hurried to the ballpark.. .got to guest service, who told me I was 15 minutes late.  And there’s nothing they can do.  In my mind… I’m thinking… you’ve got 30 minutes.  How hard would it be to get a person to the field.  Seriously????  But they wouldn’t budge.  I played the “I’m from out of town.  And I drafted Zach Neto for my fantasy team card (It was Zach Neto jersey giveaway night).”  And by happenstance… the security guard supervisor walks by.  They explain to her what’s happening… and they take me down.  I’m on the field.  Standing with 11 other people.. LOL. 

I’m in line… and everything was sped up by 15 minutes.  None of my friends were at the ballpark yet.  No one will see it or record it!!! (Shucks).  But right when I get marched to the mound… a lady walks by and asks if I wanted her to record me, and I said, “That’ll be great!!”  I stood at the mound (not on the mound, mind you) next to the mascot… and then it was go time!!  “Our catcher isn’t wearing any gear… no heaters.”

Within seconds… “#1… XYZ from blah blah blah….”

Then “#2… Hank Leung from…….”  I got so nervous.  Didn’t know where my friends were.  Saw the catcher crouch down.  I waved.  Winded up.  Pointed.  Tossed…. And the rest is history.

I went from my highest high…. To even higher-est high!!!!!!!!!!   I friggin sailed the ball over the catcher’s head!!! OMG!!!!!!!!!  I covered my face in shame!!!! That was horrible!!!!! 

All my life I’ve been waiting for this moment… to be like George Bush post-911.  To be like that nun.  To be like Russell Wilson or Kaep.  Or like Dave (Kevin Klein).  I was robbed of that moment.  More-so… I robbed myself. 

Spent the rest of the night enduring condolensences and ribbin’ from my buds.  Rightfully deserved.

 But you know what… bucket list-  CHECK!!!!!!!!!!!!! …. At that moment in time.

Jet-laggin (still)

 It's been a full week since landing... and still jet laggin!! 

Day 1... napped upon landing and slept fairly early.  

Day 2... napped again and woke up uber early.  

Day 3.... we tried to power through with 2 shifts at Second Harvest.  Then work started and it got confusing.  Was I jet-lagging or was it normal work lethargy?

4AM, 5AM, 3AM.... those are times I'm waking up.  

Thursday night... I collapsed on the couch at 9PM and woke up at 1AM... to crawl back into bed and woke up at 6AM (with an alarm!!!).  I thought I was back!  

Then today... 4AM... BOOM!! Wide awake.  

Oh well... maybe this will keep up for my Alabama trip.

Sucks... but it is what it is...

DLC

 I have to say... one of the most stressful experience drumming today at DLC!!  I've never had so many demands and requests... haha... and leading up to it.. the songs were soooo tricky.  But in the end... it worked out.  And now... another church bucket list.  CHECKED!!!  Most importantly... all glory and honor to HIM!!!!

In transition

 Had the opportunity to serve dinner at a homeless shelter.  Originally, I thought were were setting up, scooping food, cleaning up.  Boy was I wrong... 

Turns out it was part of "Hope Week", something a local church organized.  And we actually walked over to the homeless shelter.... and little piece of land that can only be described as a "community" like a mobile home village, perhaps? And the homes are bungalows for the residents.  How they got here... how long will they be here... where they're going... everyone has a story.  

Joyce ended up serving dinner.  Both kids were in charge of the drinks station.  And I was given the task of "Connector" which is to sit down, talk, mingle, and given the opportunity... pray for our guests. 

There was a lady that was originally from Hong Kong... and we connected through language and culture. 

There was a mother with a junior higher and a high schooler who wants to major in Criminal Justice. They escaped from Ukraine a few years ago due to geopolitical issues.

There are a smathering of other stories and personalities.  

Everyone has a story.  Some are just down in the dumps.  Some are possibly one paycheck short for making ends meet.  And some needs a second chance to get them through this transitory period.

Very humbling... and we're very blessed. 

Back to DC

Had the opportunity to travel to headquarters... and took a trip down to the National Mall.  It was snowing that day.. which made the Scavenger Hunt so much more memorable.  I got into Survivor and Amazing Race mode right away by forming an alliance.  Then at every stop... I didn't hesitate to ask for help instead of falling for the trap of trusting your gut.   

In front of the National Archives

Washington Monument from a distance

Lunar Module during the Apollo Missions

The Cornerstone of Democracy - Declaration, Constitution and Bill of Rights

 

Another proud parent moment

 Huda thunk... that one of the proudest moment for SW... will be for athletics and not academic.  HA!! 

I am blessed

Last night... I got [another] text from a church family complimenting our kids and how well a job we did raising them.  I don't think we did anything special... just reaping the benefits of being blessed.

Then I visited mom last night... and she said the after care that went to her house were surprised how independent and healthy she is.  She walks.  Bathes.  Cooks.  Unlike many of their clients around the same age. Same with dad.  The way they've both taken care of themselves.... makes it so easy for us.  Again... reaping the benefits of being blessed.

Aromatic Coffee

 Got some King Cake PB from New Orleans... something I missed out on last year cuz it was sold out.  And it's definitely something I will never try again.  Aroma infused coffee.... no thanks.  Ruins the coffee experience.  

Slipping Through My Fingers

Had a wonderful dream last night... we were in some home and Joyce tells me there's a spider in the bedroom.  I grab a slipper about to fulfill my husband and fatherly duty... when a 4 year old NN comes out and a 2 year old SW comes out and gives me a hug.  NN then repeats Momma and calls me 老公。 Then SW mimics NN and says the same thing... then gives off his signature SW chuckle.  I give the two of them a giant hug.   One of the best dreams I've had... in recent memory.

[Chorus]

Slipping through my fingers all the time

I try to capture every minute

The feeling in it

Slipping through my fingers all the time

Do I really see what's in her mind?

Each time I think I'm close to knowing

She keeps on growing

Slipping through my fingers all the time

Raising your kids right

There are moments when you know you've raised your kids right...

• like the time some random strangers came up to applaud us over the kids' dinner table manners and how well they eat.
• or the time NN went on her service trip and spelling out her Bon Jovi knowledge.
• today... she kept up with all the boys and was able to sing Linken Park on karaoke.  

"And in the end... it doesn't really matter....."