Spent the entire weekend working on the house. Haven't been in "house-working" mode for about 2 months now. Our buddies who bought their house the same day we bought ours is almost done!! So Saturday, we primed and prepped our den and Saturday we glazened another shade of beige - bleached almond. We've had several guests over but never had that proverbial Housewarming party.
It was first suppose to be Housewarming + Joycie's Bday...
then it became Housewarming + July 4th...
then it becamse Housewarming + my Bday...
then it became Housewarming + Bridal Shower...
then it became Housewarming + Wedding BBQ...
then it became Housewarming + Niners Opening Weekend (which sorta happened).
We don't think we'll make it in time for Housewarming + Thanksgiving.
So naturally, we'll have to push it back to Housewarming + Christmas.
Pretty soon, it'll be Housewarming + Baby Shower!
....Housewarming + retirement maybe??
Just four more days till I head back to Hong Kong. SO EXCITED!! Glee is just oozing out of me!!!
Monday, October 31, 2005
Friday, October 28, 2005
Thursday, October 27, 2005
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
WORLD CHAMPIONS!!
88 years later, the White Sox are once again champions. Going wire to wire and a 11-1 postseason record, Shoeless Joe's infamous Chicago Black Sox can finally retire into memory lane. They won it the same way they've won games all year long, by inches, because baseball is a game of inches. Sunday night we saw an old White Sox fan on TV bearing the sign, "I've waited 92 years for this."
The obvious question is, will I be like that old lady? Will I be bearing that sign when I'm in my 70's, 80's or even 90's??
Congratulations Chicago.
The obvious question is, will I be like that old lady? Will I be bearing that sign when I'm in my 70's, 80's or even 90's??
When will my Giants finally win the World Series!?!?!?!??!
Congratulations Chicago.
Monday, October 24, 2005
Course 101 - Art of Hearing God
自古, 軍以民為貴, 民以食為天.
The five of us did not challenge this saying at all. As we headed up to San Francisco Thursday evening, we decided to grab a “quick dinner” before going to class. Needless to say, we were late. Friday wasn’t any better. Our thirst for a cup of java and my horrible directions made us 30 minutes late. Friday night, we had some salivating Macau food – but were once again late for class. How embarrassing. Not only were we late, we infested our friends from English Congregation and made them late also. If the previous group were famous for falling asleep, this time we must be famous for being late. So much for integrity…
What was so cool about this class? Well, let’s just say I know of some parents who look forward to nothing more than for their sons or daughters to call home – especially those who have gone off to college overseas. Parents love to talk to their children. In the same way, God loves to talk to us. He’s talking to each and everyone of us all the time...but do we have the right equipment set up to listen? Are we in tuned with His frequency? Do we have the necessary character-istics to actually hear God? That’s what we learned this weekend... two and a half days of drinking from a fire hydrant and we come away, not with a silver bullet but with the blue prints on designing this silver bullet. Course 101 is what it says it is...it’s just the first of many courses.
Then there was the impartation. Oh so mysterious and wonderful...
A rather interesting fact:
In many of our group exercises, the gender ratios were about 4 women to 1 man. Where did all the father’s go? If all the women there can bring her husband, boyfriend, brother, son…the population would double or even triple!!
The five of us did not challenge this saying at all. As we headed up to San Francisco Thursday evening, we decided to grab a “quick dinner” before going to class. Needless to say, we were late. Friday wasn’t any better. Our thirst for a cup of java and my horrible directions made us 30 minutes late. Friday night, we had some salivating Macau food – but were once again late for class. How embarrassing. Not only were we late, we infested our friends from English Congregation and made them late also. If the previous group were famous for falling asleep, this time we must be famous for being late. So much for integrity…
What was so cool about this class? Well, let’s just say I know of some parents who look forward to nothing more than for their sons or daughters to call home – especially those who have gone off to college overseas. Parents love to talk to their children. In the same way, God loves to talk to us. He’s talking to each and everyone of us all the time...but do we have the right equipment set up to listen? Are we in tuned with His frequency? Do we have the necessary character-istics to actually hear God? That’s what we learned this weekend... two and a half days of drinking from a fire hydrant and we come away, not with a silver bullet but with the blue prints on designing this silver bullet. Course 101 is what it says it is...it’s just the first of many courses.
Then there was the impartation. Oh so mysterious and wonderful...
A rather interesting fact:
In many of our group exercises, the gender ratios were about 4 women to 1 man. Where did all the father’s go? If all the women there can bring her husband, boyfriend, brother, son…the population would double or even triple!!
Thursday, October 20, 2005
Bathroom Etiquette
There are some things in every day life that really gets to me... some things that, if I were some monarch in a desolate country off the coast off Timbuktu, I would most certainly ratify as LAW. One of these things is public bathroom etiquettes. What you do in the privacy of your own home is your business. Your wife says, "Put the seat down" but you refuse to budge, that's your business. But in the arena where we share this Mansion of Solitude Confinement, common courtesy must take into effect. And all I can talk about are Men's Room. Ladies' Room is a whole other planet. I've been in a ladies room maybe twice since I've turned 3. Once was cuz the men's room was busted at the Chevron off of Hwy 5 in the middle of nowhere (and oh btw....it IS a lot nicer in there) and the other time was clearly CLEARLY effects of taking Nyquil and waking up too early for an 8AM Midterm. It wasn't even till last month did I realize ladies restrooms have breastmilk pumping stations!! (It wasn't till last month did I realize ladies could pump breastmilk...) Kudos to Women's Rights! Back to the main topic here...
1) You are what you eat. Guys...if you're not going to wash your hands, at least pretend to turn on the faucet. There are people in there with you! We see what you've done (for the most part) and we hear what just happened. Those hands!! Those hands are going to touch the door handle that I'm going to touch. Those hands are going to grab the coffee pot handle I'm going to grab. Those hands are going to be shaking hands with our customers - who may possibly well be a Major or Captain. Those hands are the very same hands that'll be holding your little kid tonight! Those very hands will be caressing that Bacon Cheesburger you're having for lunch.
2) Practice double flush. After you're done...flush once and look back. Make sure you're not leaving a mark. We're not animals, we don't need to mark our territories. I can't count how many times I've walked into a stall to see what resembles a hurriance of chocolate cake and vanilla pudding.
3) The courtesy flush. Every now and then (and for some, every now and now) we get the runs. The unassuming, non-alerting explosion that makes you wonder, where did it all come from?! And how do you know it's really bad...when you can smell your own work-of-art. That's when it's REALLY REALLY bad. You go in there for a quick #2, and you find yourself vomiting from the stench of your own creation. But c'mon...if you smell it, so does the guy next to you!! And the guy coming in after you! Get rid of what's floating and start out with a fresh bowl of water. This isn't an airplane, gas masks don't automatically fall from the ceiling.
4) I read what I want, not what You want. I like reading in the bathroom. Short enriching articles that allow me to escape from my cubicle and conference rooms. Sharing newspapers isn't a bad idea either (especially Fry's ads) if done santitarily. Just don't print out your emails with your name on them and leave the hardcopies behind!! I don't want to know you've been in here before me. I don't want to know what you're reading. And I certainly don't want to get hooked into your personal life of being an Animal Psychologist at the Puppy Pound Grooming Salon!
5) An office is an office except when it's not. Males have a hard time bonding. We hardly ever have afternoon tea where we just talk. We always have to be doing something. Playing golf, throwing darts, watching a baseball game.... If you happen to go in there with a friend, don't feel obligated to bond. A few minutes of silence is NOT awkward. Know that your companion isn't in there to bond with you. Oh...and please don't shout over stalls to one another. Have the decency to respect other people's few moments of solitude. How many times do you need to watch Seinfeld to know that whoever you talk about inside a bathroom, is probably sitting in the stall that's closed.
6) He turns, he shoots and he scores!! We all do it...we all think we're Michael Jordan. Especially with the basket being 20 times bigger than your wad of paper towel. But you're NOT Michael...and you WILL miss. Look when you shoot and don't be like Mike...but for once, be like Rodman. Grab your rebound...pick up your wet towel and make life easier on the dude who's picking up after you.
7) Can't really help it. This isn't something we can do on our own...but have you ever wondered what's the grungiest, dirtiest, most sickening place is in the bathroom?? It's the COLD water faucet handle on every sink. Anyone who's just been done with their deed comes out and first thing they do, turn on the faucet. With which hand?? (That really depends on you) Everyone gets a turn on that handle and when you're done soaping up and sanitizing, what do you do?? You recontaminate yourself by turning it off. Then you reach over to the paper towel dispenser and pull on the knob that's equally contaminated. Hrm..... maybe the guys who don't wash their hands are 1-Up on us. Impore your companies to install Sensor Operated Sinks and Towel Dispensers.
8) Lastly....and this is probably the most sensitive of all, Keep yours eyes looking straight ahead. Enough said.
1) You are what you eat. Guys...if you're not going to wash your hands, at least pretend to turn on the faucet. There are people in there with you! We see what you've done (for the most part) and we hear what just happened. Those hands!! Those hands are going to touch the door handle that I'm going to touch. Those hands are going to grab the coffee pot handle I'm going to grab. Those hands are going to be shaking hands with our customers - who may possibly well be a Major or Captain. Those hands are the very same hands that'll be holding your little kid tonight! Those very hands will be caressing that Bacon Cheesburger you're having for lunch.
2) Practice double flush. After you're done...flush once and look back. Make sure you're not leaving a mark. We're not animals, we don't need to mark our territories. I can't count how many times I've walked into a stall to see what resembles a hurriance of chocolate cake and vanilla pudding.
3) The courtesy flush. Every now and then (and for some, every now and now) we get the runs. The unassuming, non-alerting explosion that makes you wonder, where did it all come from?! And how do you know it's really bad...when you can smell your own work-of-art. That's when it's REALLY REALLY bad. You go in there for a quick #2, and you find yourself vomiting from the stench of your own creation. But c'mon...if you smell it, so does the guy next to you!! And the guy coming in after you! Get rid of what's floating and start out with a fresh bowl of water. This isn't an airplane, gas masks don't automatically fall from the ceiling.
4) I read what I want, not what You want. I like reading in the bathroom. Short enriching articles that allow me to escape from my cubicle and conference rooms. Sharing newspapers isn't a bad idea either (especially Fry's ads) if done santitarily. Just don't print out your emails with your name on them and leave the hardcopies behind!! I don't want to know you've been in here before me. I don't want to know what you're reading. And I certainly don't want to get hooked into your personal life of being an Animal Psychologist at the Puppy Pound Grooming Salon!
5) An office is an office except when it's not. Males have a hard time bonding. We hardly ever have afternoon tea where we just talk. We always have to be doing something. Playing golf, throwing darts, watching a baseball game.... If you happen to go in there with a friend, don't feel obligated to bond. A few minutes of silence is NOT awkward. Know that your companion isn't in there to bond with you. Oh...and please don't shout over stalls to one another. Have the decency to respect other people's few moments of solitude. How many times do you need to watch Seinfeld to know that whoever you talk about inside a bathroom, is probably sitting in the stall that's closed.
6) He turns, he shoots and he scores!! We all do it...we all think we're Michael Jordan. Especially with the basket being 20 times bigger than your wad of paper towel. But you're NOT Michael...and you WILL miss. Look when you shoot and don't be like Mike...but for once, be like Rodman. Grab your rebound...pick up your wet towel and make life easier on the dude who's picking up after you.
7) Can't really help it. This isn't something we can do on our own...but have you ever wondered what's the grungiest, dirtiest, most sickening place is in the bathroom?? It's the COLD water faucet handle on every sink. Anyone who's just been done with their deed comes out and first thing they do, turn on the faucet. With which hand?? (That really depends on you) Everyone gets a turn on that handle and when you're done soaping up and sanitizing, what do you do?? You recontaminate yourself by turning it off. Then you reach over to the paper towel dispenser and pull on the knob that's equally contaminated. Hrm..... maybe the guys who don't wash their hands are 1-Up on us. Impore your companies to install Sensor Operated Sinks and Towel Dispensers.
8) Lastly....and this is probably the most sensitive of all, Keep yours eyes looking straight ahead. Enough said.
Monday, October 17, 2005
Disturbing...to say the least.
I've always been dubbed - mature. I act (for the most part) ahead of my age. Tears of joy streamed down my face when one of the kids in the tutoring program said I looked 18. Okay, maybe a little too melodramatic - but kids don't lie, right? The events this past week though have transcribed into a very disturbing revelation!!
I have an older brother (pictured here) who's a couple of years my elder. But at my wedding and at dinner this past week, both relatives and friends have addressed him as my little brother!
This past Friday's cell group at the Louie's, we welcomed a new friend. I was sitting in the TV room with little Samuel (below). The new friend comes over and asks, "Oh, is he your son?"
Do I look old enough to have a son this big?!?!
Finally...on Saturday, I looked in the mirror and didn't see myself. I saw a reflection of a stressed out, overworked, shadowy-eyed, senile senior citizen with male patterend baldness. I quickly stole some of Joycie's cream and put a mask on myself. Maybe I'll go get some cucumbers for the eyes. So this is what being married will do to ya....
I have an older brother (pictured here) who's a couple of years my elder. But at my wedding and at dinner this past week, both relatives and friends have addressed him as my little brother!
This past Friday's cell group at the Louie's, we welcomed a new friend. I was sitting in the TV room with little Samuel (below). The new friend comes over and asks, "Oh, is he your son?"
Do I look old enough to have a son this big?!?!
Finally...on Saturday, I looked in the mirror and didn't see myself. I saw a reflection of a stressed out, overworked, shadowy-eyed, senile senior citizen with male patterend baldness. I quickly stole some of Joycie's cream and put a mask on myself. Maybe I'll go get some cucumbers for the eyes. So this is what being married will do to ya....
Friday, October 14, 2005
The woes of home ownership...
For the past month, we've noticed a puddle of water in front of our house. It never goes away and we've attributed to over watering the front yard. So we toned down our sprinklers from 5 minutes to 3 minutes to 2 minutes. Then we went from daily to every other day to twice a week. This morning, we noticed the puddle is slowly becoming a pond. Crud... there's gotta be a leak somewhere. As we walk home tonight, in the quiets of the evening, we hear water gushing out from the ground... as if someone left the sink running. Upon further investigation (ie flashlight inside the bushes) we indeed found a leak. CRUD...no what?!? We're not even sure where the sprinkler valve is. After another 5 minutes of poking, we found "a" valve. Not knowing what it is...we shut it off and the leaking stopped!!! PHEW..... Go back in the house. 5 minutes later, Joycie comes out saying, "We have no water." CRUD, again. We turned off the main valve!! So we had to go out and search for another valve. Tomorrow, we'll have to dig up the pipe to see if it's fixable. Honestly, I have no idea what's fixable and what's not. Sigh.....home ownership. Why bother??????????
Friday, October 07, 2005
Walk on water...
My company uses the 9x80 work schedule, where employees get every other Friday off as long as they work 80 hours within the first nine days. So I came into work expecting to have a relaxing day. Catch up with some emails, make some phone calls, work on my tare, blah blah blah.... My manager comes over and says, "You gotta have your self assessment in by COB today."
I dread this time of the year more than any other time (with the exception of Valentine's Day). It's the time of the year where I have to bust out with 6-syllable words that no one ever uses and advertise myself as the best employee ever to have worked here. Why do we even do self assessments? No one's gonna admit to being subpar. And even if you have the best self assessment, who cares?!? It's not like your raise will be any higher or lower!!! I swear...one of these days, I'm gonna put,
..........GREATTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT
I dread this time of the year more than any other time (with the exception of Valentine's Day). It's the time of the year where I have to bust out with 6-syllable words that no one ever uses and advertise myself as the best employee ever to have worked here. Why do we even do self assessments? No one's gonna admit to being subpar. And even if you have the best self assessment, who cares?!? It's not like your raise will be any higher or lower!!! I swear...one of these days, I'm gonna put,
"STRENGTHS: Walk on water and my feet don't even get wet."
things I like..things I hate...
Hate is a strong word. There are only a few things I hate. One of it being bad service in a restaurant.
I flew over to Maryland this Tuesday for a meeting. Tuesday night, I had dinner at a wonderful seafood restaurant called Obrycki's where you use a hammer to break open the crab shells. Food was great, atmosphere was awesome, service was acceptable. LIKE
Then on Wednesday night, we went over to Shula's - the self proclaimed top-5 steakhouse in the nation. Not only was my steak overcooked, it was cold!!! The steak must've sat there for at least 15 minutes!!!HATE
The service was horrible!!! HATE Our dinner lasted us 2 hours when it could've been over in one. HATE
Thursday afternoon, I had my best Calzone EVER!!! at Cantina Mamma Lucia. And it was under $5!!!! LIKE
Then Thursday night, I flew 8 hours to get back to San Jose from Baltimore. HATE
I flew over to Maryland this Tuesday for a meeting. Tuesday night, I had dinner at a wonderful seafood restaurant called Obrycki's where you use a hammer to break open the crab shells. Food was great, atmosphere was awesome, service was acceptable. LIKE
Then on Wednesday night, we went over to Shula's - the self proclaimed top-5 steakhouse in the nation. Not only was my steak overcooked, it was cold!!! The steak must've sat there for at least 15 minutes!!!HATE
The service was horrible!!! HATE Our dinner lasted us 2 hours when it could've been over in one. HATE
Thursday afternoon, I had my best Calzone EVER!!! at Cantina Mamma Lucia. And it was under $5!!!! LIKE
Then Thursday night, I flew 8 hours to get back to San Jose from Baltimore. HATE
Monday, October 03, 2005
EAT MY CAR!!!
So today, Joycie and I took VTA transit for the first time. Hee hee...so romantic. We get to sit at the bus stop, necks extended, looking for the next bus, while cuddling up with each other cuz it's so cold and sucking in the polluted air from all the other suckers who are driving. The bus stops about 2 minutes from our house and is very convenient to both of us! WOOHOO!!! Gas prices are just way too high. Why don't they just "eat my car....?"
Checks and Balances
From the day I learned about Civics and US Government, I've always felt the Judical branch carried the most power of the three branches. Mainly because they didn't have a servitude term, nor did they have to be elected by the people (which is very undemocratic). We are living in a time of political fertility. Fertility in the sense where things are actually getting done (whether I like it or not) and not met with strong opposition.
The man in the White House is a Republican. The Senate and Congress are controlled by the GOP. And the Supreme Court will now be made up of Republican appointed Justices. Just a google away....
John Paul Stevens - Ford
Sandra Day O'Connor - Reagan
Antonin Scalia - Reagan
Anthony M. Kennedy - Reagan
David H. Souter - Bush
Clarence Thomas - Bush
Ruth Bader Ginsburg - Clinton
Stephen G. Breyer - Clinton
John Roberts - - Dubya
Just this morning...I see on the headlines that Bush has nominated Harriet Mirers to replace Sandra Day O'Connor. O'Connor was nominated by Reagan, but amazingly has been the voice of liberals on a lot of the most controversial cases in our recent history: capitol punishment, affirmative action, Roe v Wade.
Historically, you can't relate the political sidings between a Supreme Court justice and their nominator. As a true bipartisan, you're suppose to have no affiliations. But one can't help but notice that 7 out of the 9 justices will be Republican Nominated. What will happen to our country? Even if Mirer isn't nominated...Dubya will just pick another one of his lackeys.
Dubya has another 3 years in office...will he appoint the successor to John Stevens also?? If so...the majority of the Supreme Court will be "Bush" nominated. Sigh....I need a vacation.
The man in the White House is a Republican. The Senate and Congress are controlled by the GOP. And the Supreme Court will now be made up of Republican appointed Justices. Just a google away....
John Paul Stevens - Ford
Sandra Day O'Connor - Reagan
Antonin Scalia - Reagan
Anthony M. Kennedy - Reagan
David H. Souter - Bush
Clarence Thomas - Bush
Ruth Bader Ginsburg - Clinton
Stephen G. Breyer - Clinton
John Roberts - - Dubya
Just this morning...I see on the headlines that Bush has nominated Harriet Mirers to replace Sandra Day O'Connor. O'Connor was nominated by Reagan, but amazingly has been the voice of liberals on a lot of the most controversial cases in our recent history: capitol punishment, affirmative action, Roe v Wade.
Historically, you can't relate the political sidings between a Supreme Court justice and their nominator. As a true bipartisan, you're suppose to have no affiliations. But one can't help but notice that 7 out of the 9 justices will be Republican Nominated. What will happen to our country? Even if Mirer isn't nominated...Dubya will just pick another one of his lackeys.
Dubya has another 3 years in office...will he appoint the successor to John Stevens also?? If so...the majority of the Supreme Court will be "Bush" nominated. Sigh....I need a vacation.
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