Had dinner with one our dearest, closest friend tonight. We have dinner with her, maybe, once a year. But each time... she never ceases to amaze me how much she loves God.
Being a parent with kids... all our dinner conversations surround kids, school, remodeling, vacation plans. I don't remember the last time having a meal and hearing someone's testimony!! How God is challenging her - stretching her - stressing her. How her submission 8 years ago - is finally bearing fruit!
Last time it happened....? Probably the last time we had dinner with her. Sigh.... Old Oil Stick.....
Sunday, April 27, 2014
Thursday, April 24, 2014
Monday, April 21, 2014
Knowing... but still hoping
Sat at the end of the table, surrounded by 2 Directors, 1 Senior Manager and HR.
I was interviewing for a Level 6 - Sr. Manager position. I knew I wasn't going to get it. Managers, especially Sr. Managers, are almost always pre-selected. I was there... just so it can satisfy "HR Rules." Or as they have it in the NFL... the Rooney Rule, where teams MUST interview at least 1 minority coach for any vacant positions.
I already knew the type of questions that were coming. I had prepared amazing stories to tell. I knew I impressed all of them with my achievements to date... my leadership capacity... and the energy I bring to the table.
But as I walked out of that interview room.... I knew I wasn't getting the job.
"To even be selected is an achievement!" my current boss told me. True. They must've seen something on my resume to consider me a valid contestant on this interview.
Deep down, I knew I wasn't going to get it. But deeper down... I was hoping I can get it.
"I more than qualify" - I think.
"Who wouldn't want to hire me?" - I imagine.
"They'll regret the day they turn me away" - I console myself.
Sigh.....
I was interviewing for a Level 6 - Sr. Manager position. I knew I wasn't going to get it. Managers, especially Sr. Managers, are almost always pre-selected. I was there... just so it can satisfy "HR Rules." Or as they have it in the NFL... the Rooney Rule, where teams MUST interview at least 1 minority coach for any vacant positions.
I already knew the type of questions that were coming. I had prepared amazing stories to tell. I knew I impressed all of them with my achievements to date... my leadership capacity... and the energy I bring to the table.
But as I walked out of that interview room.... I knew I wasn't getting the job.
"To even be selected is an achievement!" my current boss told me. True. They must've seen something on my resume to consider me a valid contestant on this interview.
Deep down, I knew I wasn't going to get it. But deeper down... I was hoping I can get it.
"I more than qualify" - I think.
"Who wouldn't want to hire me?" - I imagine.
"They'll regret the day they turn me away" - I console myself.
Sigh.....
Friday, April 18, 2014
Art of Listening
While praying with Nui-nui the other night... I suddenly had an urge to listen instead of saying the same ol' same ol'.
And when I suddenly fell silent, halfway through our normal prayer, Nui-nui asked, "Bah-BEE.... why are you quiet?"
I said, "Shhhh.... I'm listening to Jesus."
After a brief moment of silence, I told Nui-nui, "Jesus wants me to thank Him for blessing us with wonderful and healthy children."
So I started praying.... but Nui-nui said, "Shhhh... I'm listening to Jesus."
I respectfully stayed silent.
Moments later, she says, "I heard Jesus say He really loves me!"
(Hmm...... test of faith. Do I believe a 4 year old? OF COURSE I DO!!!!)
And when I suddenly fell silent, halfway through our normal prayer, Nui-nui asked, "Bah-BEE.... why are you quiet?"
I said, "Shhhh.... I'm listening to Jesus."
After a brief moment of silence, I told Nui-nui, "Jesus wants me to thank Him for blessing us with wonderful and healthy children."
So I started praying.... but Nui-nui said, "Shhhh... I'm listening to Jesus."
I respectfully stayed silent.
Moments later, she says, "I heard Jesus say He really loves me!"
(Hmm...... test of faith. Do I believe a 4 year old? OF COURSE I DO!!!!)
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Free stuff...
There was a time when I indulged in "free" stuff available online. I would spend hours scouring the internet for free magazine subscriptions... free samples... free mugs... free shirts, etc...
Then I got over it. (Phew...)
Too much work. Too much effort. Too little return.
Well today... Cheesecake Factory offered me a $10 Coupon for filling out a survey. And it wasn't so much the $10 that attracted me. But I really wanted to offer up a nice suggestion. When we order from the kids menu.... have the decency to ask, "Would you like to serve the kids first?" That should be Waiting Tables 101.
After filling out the survey and getting the eCoupon for $10.... that bug inside me is woken. Now I wanna fill out a million surveys and get a million coupons! HAHAHAHHA.... FREE FREE FREE!!! Nothing in life that's better than..........FREE!!!
Then I got over it. (Phew...)
Too much work. Too much effort. Too little return.
Well today... Cheesecake Factory offered me a $10 Coupon for filling out a survey. And it wasn't so much the $10 that attracted me. But I really wanted to offer up a nice suggestion. When we order from the kids menu.... have the decency to ask, "Would you like to serve the kids first?" That should be Waiting Tables 101.
After filling out the survey and getting the eCoupon for $10.... that bug inside me is woken. Now I wanna fill out a million surveys and get a million coupons! HAHAHAHHA.... FREE FREE FREE!!! Nothing in life that's better than..........FREE!!!
Saturday, April 12, 2014
Odd man out...
Was at a random yogurt place, sitting and enjoying our yogurt and I couldn't take my eyes off of another family of four sitting next to us.
Sitting along the window on a counter were a family of four. An older gentlemen... maybe in his 50's. His two teenage daughters. 18 and perhaps 16. And at the end of the counter... his wife.
Throughout the entire time.... the two daughters spoke solely to the mom. They laffed, giggled... shared their yogurts with one another. Even their bodies were obviously turned towards mom, leaving out poor dad. The entire time, dad longingly looked the three women... trying, wanting, begging to be let into the conversation. But when they didn't give him a whim of time, he went back digging into his yogurt. After a few spoonfuls, he'll look up again at the three loves of his life... listen attentively at what they're chatting about... waiting to jump in with a comment or two... only to give up and continue with this frozen dessert. For a good 5 minutes.... this entire scene completely mesmerized me.
Finally, after an eternity of waiting... the dad lets out the first words of the entire night, "Let's go." The family dutifully got up and left.
Joyce turned to me and smile... aren't you glad you have a son? And I thought to myself... "No, aren't you glad you have a daughter." Cuz I will NEVER be that dad....
Sitting along the window on a counter were a family of four. An older gentlemen... maybe in his 50's. His two teenage daughters. 18 and perhaps 16. And at the end of the counter... his wife.
Throughout the entire time.... the two daughters spoke solely to the mom. They laffed, giggled... shared their yogurts with one another. Even their bodies were obviously turned towards mom, leaving out poor dad. The entire time, dad longingly looked the three women... trying, wanting, begging to be let into the conversation. But when they didn't give him a whim of time, he went back digging into his yogurt. After a few spoonfuls, he'll look up again at the three loves of his life... listen attentively at what they're chatting about... waiting to jump in with a comment or two... only to give up and continue with this frozen dessert. For a good 5 minutes.... this entire scene completely mesmerized me.
Finally, after an eternity of waiting... the dad lets out the first words of the entire night, "Let's go." The family dutifully got up and left.
Joyce turned to me and smile... aren't you glad you have a son? And I thought to myself... "No, aren't you glad you have a daughter." Cuz I will NEVER be that dad....
Thursday, April 10, 2014
Annual Vacation - Happiest Place on Earth
Siu Wah turns three pretty soon...so we made our final trip to Disneyland before we have to pay for 4 people. It's amazing how much detail Nn remembers from our last trip two years ago. Down to the name of the rides... the snack she ate... and some of the corners we took!
This year, we went very cheap. Brought our rice cooker and made dinner twice in our room, on top of making the typical macaroni/Spam breakfast. One night it was Ranch99 Roast Duck... and another night it was Costco $4.99 chicken. The chicken became breakfast the next day... and also became chicken sandwiches for lunch. A well lived chicken..... for $5.
We're slowly moving into the phase of parenthood where meeting the characters matter. I'm sure next trip... we'll be those parents with autograph books and pins and what-not. Sigh... hopefully we can skip that phase. Or we can talk some sense into them!!
Highlight/lowlight of the trip has gotta be the night we promised Nn we'll let her stay up for fireworks... the same night I was running a fever. Who gets sick during vacation?! I could've thrown in the towel...could've disappointed my daughter... could've curled up in bed while she pouted or let out one of her heartbreaking "Awwwwwwwww...." So I sucked it up. Pulled a Michael Jordan in Game 5 against Jazz.... and took her to fireworks anyways. Shivering, sweating, tired, miserable.... I warned her, I wasn't going to be able to hold her. But when the lights shut off... music blared... and the first sparkle hit the flawless night.... I found this inner strength to carry Nn in my arms for the entire 15 minute show.
SW.... he was already snoring away in our hotel room.
This year, we went very cheap. Brought our rice cooker and made dinner twice in our room, on top of making the typical macaroni/Spam breakfast. One night it was Ranch99 Roast Duck... and another night it was Costco $4.99 chicken. The chicken became breakfast the next day... and also became chicken sandwiches for lunch. A well lived chicken..... for $5.
We're slowly moving into the phase of parenthood where meeting the characters matter. I'm sure next trip... we'll be those parents with autograph books and pins and what-not. Sigh... hopefully we can skip that phase. Or we can talk some sense into them!!
Highlight/lowlight of the trip has gotta be the night we promised Nn we'll let her stay up for fireworks... the same night I was running a fever. Who gets sick during vacation?! I could've thrown in the towel...could've disappointed my daughter... could've curled up in bed while she pouted or let out one of her heartbreaking "Awwwwwwwww...." So I sucked it up. Pulled a Michael Jordan in Game 5 against Jazz.... and took her to fireworks anyways. Shivering, sweating, tired, miserable.... I warned her, I wasn't going to be able to hold her. But when the lights shut off... music blared... and the first sparkle hit the flawless night.... I found this inner strength to carry Nn in my arms for the entire 15 minute show.
SW.... he was already snoring away in our hotel room.
Wednesday, April 09, 2014
Disney does it right...
During one of the parades... we stood next to a young man with Down Syndrome. He was connected to an Oxygen Tank and could only grunt - not talk.
But for each and every float that came out.... all the main characters all made a point to make eye contact with that young man. Minnie pointed...then mimiced the young man's dance moves. The princesses each showered him with kisses or made "heart" signs. A bunch of other characters walked up and gave him high-5's. One of the drummers... he stopped, gave the man his two drum sticks and the kid beat on his drums for a good 10 seconds.
It was a great opportunity to give Nn a lesson on life.... This young man, born and stricken with an incurable disease... he may only find one glimpse of happiness in life. And Disney made sure he got that glimpse of happiness.
For all the things we criticize about Disney (evil... capitalistic pigs... moneymaking scoundrels....) or praise about Disney (clean... wholesome... great marketing... amazing crowd control)... this is something Disney definitely does right. Now...$8 for a stinken Mickey Mouse balloon... EVIL!!!!
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