"It's the least I can do..."

Was at Barnes and Noble earlier this evening... where we treat a bookstore like a library. (hee hee)

I'm done reading Siu Wah and Nui-nui's first books.  They're off looking for their second books when I return the books back on the shelf.  The teenager who works there happens to walk by and says, "Dude...." 

I stare at him... with a questioning look.

"Thanks.  You don't even know."

(ahh... he's thanking me for returning the books)

And all I can muster was, "It''s the least I can do..."

Sometimes... even if we think folks get paid for what they do, they do appreciate the little things we do to help. 

Barbie

What's more weird? A 30+ year old man playing with Barbie dolls (with his daughter) or that same 30+ year old man feeling a bit "naughty" when taking the clothes off of a supposedly 5' 8" blonde? Hmmm.... fascinatingly weird.

Eating Healthy

SW's eczema has gotten to a point that Joyce hasn't had a good night's sleep for 6 months.  Joyce battles with SW every night to keep him from scratching... breaking his skin and bleeding.  Thus starting the cycle again.  We've tried every type of lotion and ointment that's possibly for sale.  The best option is a $30 jar of ointment the size of a shotglass.  We use it up in a week!!

My mom says - avoid beef.
My aunt says - avoid duck. 
Online... it says avoid processed food.

Processed food?!?! What isn't processed nowadays?  Sugar. Flour. Bread. RICE!! Pasta. 
Do we truly have to make everything from fresh???

We must.  It's the right thing to do... for him and for us.  I need to set an example as his father.  I must....alas.... eat Eggplant... eat Oatmeal...eat Mushrooms. :(

Baby steps.... I'll get there.  And if I can get use to it... maybe he'll start eating healthy too. 

Unfortunately... I've been trying for 30+ years...and I still hate eggplant, oatmeal and mushrooms. 

"Let it go....Let it gooooo...."

Had an opportunity to fly across country from SFO to JFK on United. Those flights generally have free movies (all you can watch within 5 hours).

I took full advantage this time and started watching the moment I found my seat.  I didn't even wait for the doors to engage.  I almost jumped out of my seat when I saw "Frozen" as one of the selection.  WOOHOO!! Finally get to watch the, supposedly, greatest Disney Animated Feature of all time..... for free!

I watched "Wolf of Wall Street" first, knowing there'll be a lot of interruptions while we take off.  I didn't want my movie to be ruined.  Sure enough... there were a lot of announcements and such.  But that's ok.... it's only Leo DiCaprio.

Finally...after 3 hours (3 HOURS!!) of Wolf of Wall Street.... finally got to select Frozen.  I even went to pee ahead of time, just so I don't have to walk away half way through the movie.

Got my snack ready. Got my drink ready.... and "LET IT GO!!"

20 minutes in.... I knew I was in for biggest disappointment of my life.  Oh gawd...
Yea sure...the animation was nice, but it's CGI'ed.

The story line? Lame... too fast.... no story development.
Olaf the Snowman... not funny.  Annoying, actually.
"Let it Go?" that was 30 minutes into the film....and after she "let it go..." she secluded herself???
Ilsa's talking parts... missing
Love story.... not so much.
Sisters love... ok, I give you that.
Big musical scores?Just one.
Final battle? Disastrous.

The best thing out of this movie.... was it's free.
As for the movie itself? Let it blow....Let it blow.....

Pump it Up!!

Went to our first organized, corporate kids birthday party at "Pump it Up."  Man.... so much easier than what we did for Nui-nui's first party.  Everything was taken care of.  Food, entertainment, A/C, cake, party favors.... EVERYTHING!!!!  All for a mere $350. 

What were we doing wrong! Geez!

Rough year...

So I'm a jaded sports fan.  There are folks around the country who beg to be semi-competitive and not be the laffing stock of everyone. And here I am... Complaining about the Niners... Sharks... And now he Warriors being eliminated from the playoffs. THE PLAYOFFS!!!

Sigh.... The playoffs.... :(
what a year...the Giants are gonna kill me. I should stop watching sports now.

英雄本色

衰仔！唔叫衰仔都唔得。

三歲喇， 淨係識果兩三句英文。 今日喺公園， 同個鬼妹仔玩。 瀡完滑梯， 竟然話： "Again?"

人地唔show佢， 話: "No."

小華好自然咁答: "Why?"

衰仔！真係似晒老豆。

Wonderful Dinner

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.....

Pho

I love Pho.

And my wife makes a meaaaaaaaaan Pho. So so good.

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.....

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!!!!)