She needs glasses...

It was out of the blue.. I wanted Nn to read a random sign on the streets.  She said she couldn't see it.  I first thought she was kidding.  Then I thought we were blocking her.  Then it got serious. 

She couldn't read the license plate in front of us.  We got to Costco... she couldn't read the prices. 

Then the waterworks started flowing.  She got scared.  "Will I need surgery? Will I need glasses? And most importantly... Will I still be pretty?"

Joyce and I were pissed.  We told her.  We told her to not rub her eyes.  We told her to not read in the dark.  We told her this and we told her that.  But ultimately, we we are pissed at ourselves, but we directed our anger at her. 

True... she doesn't take good care of her eyes.  But she's 7!!!  We need to be accountable.  Maybe it's genetics.  Both Nn's parents have glasses.  All of her grandparents have glasses.  Maybe it was inevitable.  Guess we'll never know.

Today... was clearly a bad bad day. 

Democracy - You get what you deserve

Tuesday night..I was literally frightened and scared.

As we watched on TV, and the states that ought to turn blue - stayed GRAY.  That empty feeling.  The math just didn't add up.

We also saw a few more states voting to legalize recreation marijuana.  Almost 2/3 of the USA now have legalized marijuana. The future... is bleak. 

It was about 9PM.  None of the news outlets called it yet.  But we all knew.  I bet Hillary knew.  It was at that moment... I seized my daughter by her shoulder.  I looked her in the eye in the most serious look I can give her, and said.  "Sweetie.  You must stand firm.  In the future, you will go through rough and challenging times.  But you must believe that God is sovereign and in control." 

The next couple of days... I read about protests.  Mass immigration. People nesting for 4 years. Calling for change of the Electoral College in favor of the Popular Vote (which, btw was closer than a major metropolitan city's population).  Sour grapes? Sore losers? Or true patriots?? 

The White House, the Senate, the House... and pretty soon, the Supreme Court.  What will America become? 


One friend of mine said... we survived 8 years of Dubya.
Another friend said... at least we won't have too many gerrymandering. 
And another friend of mine said... it's democracy, you get what you deserve. 

Another Halloween....come and gone...

Yesterday was Halloween.  Another day where I get so nervous about the neighborhood kids coming to Trick or Treat only to read a sign on our door that says, "Our family does not celebrate Halloween.  Have a safe night. God bless."

I can't deny that Halloween has been made to be a fun holiday.  As anti-Christian as it is.... I can't blame people for wanting to dress up their kids for a night of trick-or-treat.  In my facebook feed... I see so many cute costumes.  And kids with smiles on their faces.

But deep (DEEP) down inside... I know this is not pleasing to God.

Thankfully... both NN and SW understand (for now) that we stand firm in our beliefs.  But when I hear those kids knocking on our door and reading that sign... I get goosebumps and cringes that they'll end up throwing eggs at our door.

Another one bites the dust...

Three family deaths in one week. 

One in China.  One in Vancouver.  And one here, in San Francisco.
Went to the funeral service on Sunday and witnessed dad cry.  Part of me thinks he forced himself to cry to grab attention and he overplayed the situation.  Part of me thinks he really misses the departed.  And part of me thinks.... he's realizing that with all his peers moving on... that his number could be coming up.

Kindergarten - Part II

Had the rare opportunity to see SW "play" with his friends after school today.  A bunch of 3rd, 4th, 5th graders were playing Four Squares.  And like any 3rd, 4th, 5th grader... they play to win.  But SW would line up... literally a head shorter than the rest of them... and act like he's part of their crowd. 

These young adults... they play rough.  They play to win.  The ball is traveling at lightning fast speed.  There's no way SW can keep up with them. No way!!  But when it's finally his turn to play... all the other kids flip a switch. 

The server, purposely serves it really easy for SW so that he can return the ball.  Whoever gets the ball next will fire the ball at light speed at the other guys.  But every 3rd of 4th hit... they know to hit the ball very lightly to SW.  So that he can return the ball back to them.  One kid in particular purposely LOST to SW.... and he played it out like SW really killed the ball. 

There are many other little things they do... like if SW gets hit with the ball... all the boys will crowd around him to see if he's OK.  Or they will whisper to one another and remind one another that, "Hey!! Hit it lightly to him!"  And they all know he doesn't speak English - but they don't make fun of him or pick on him. 

These kids.  These young adults. They were raised correctly.  My heart melts to see that there are people out there who are taking care of my son.... my little peanut.

Joyce told me that one of the mom's said, "My son loves taking care of younger kids... as long as that kid is not his brother!" 

Thank you Jesus.... for letting SW experience this. I pray that he will one day, turn into these young adults, and share this love with future young, ambitious children who don't know any better.

Sibling Rivalry

Yesterday Nn said something quite astounding. She complained the whole school cheers for SW when he plays four squares. And he gets preferential treatment and always gets to serve. She ended her rant by saying, "個個人鍾意小華多過我。" Wow!! Did I hear that right??  Nn is jealous of her brother's popularity??? 

I guess throughout her first few years at school, she's always been the center of attention. Huda think her first rival.... Would be her sibling!

Under all the hilarity, I'm super pleased that Nn is willing to share her deepest feelings with us. Before I pass any judgement, first and foremost she is open and honest. And I pray this won't change - ever.

Kindergarten

I can't help but admire and boast about SW... and his leaps and bounds in going to school. 

The principal called me aside the other day and said, "I had him in my office for a chat and he spoke so well!  I was surprised!"  Should I be surprised that he spoke so well...? Or should I be surprised he was called into the principal's office?

SW is 5.... the ripe age for kindergarten.  But everyone in his class are almost all redshirts.  So they've either gone to kindergarten twice... or they're at least a year older.  But the kids will still play with SW and not pick on him.  Is it because they think he's cute? Or do they really bond???

SW says he has two best friends.  One of this "best friends" gave him some Pokemon cards... to which we started playing with at home.  Does SW really have a best friend??? In reality... sadly to say... these are his first group of friends aside from the Fellowship kids...and Han Yi. 

SW is reciting nursery rhymes and singing a bunch of English songs.  When did he advance so much???

And yet.... at the Pumpkin Festival today... he was still mistaken for a girl (due to his long hair).  And he was still thought of as being 3 or 4 years old (again, he's 5).

My son..... the happy go lucky guy who's now suddenly the biggest Star Wars and Pokemon fan in the world.

買豬骨

琴日去大華買豬骨煲湯。 個賣肉叔叔話：「又係豬頸骨？」

我問佢：「你認得我？」

佢話：「你個個禮拜都離買豬頸骨㗎啦。」

佩服！欽敬！

"Lord, wash away my iniquities..."

"...and cleanse me from my sins."

Just got done watching "Spotlight", the Hollywood version of how the Boston Globe unleashed the first domino that would cause the entire Catholic Church to nearly crumble in 2002. Rampant sexual abuse and a systematic coverup scandal by the Vatican. 

I was watching... And soon... I found myself crying uncontrollably. Those were kids. That could've been me or big bro... Or any one of our friends growing up.  

And to think... Most of my childhood heroes were priests. My favorite saint Don Bosco, was a priest... I wanted to become a priest.  Ironically... Don Bosco was known for his work with Youths, particularly young boys. Goodness gracious...

And prior to the consecration and communion of every mass.... The priest will our holy water on his hands, like the priests did during biblical times and utter those words, "Lord, wash away my iniquities and cleanse me from my sins...."

First week of school...

Siu Wah officially started school last week.  The night before, a dear sister of mine asked, "Do you think he'll cry?"  It never, ever occurred to me that he will.  Is this 2nd child syndrome? Just cuz NN was always so easy... we automatically think SW will be the same? Or do we know our son well enough where crying just isn't part of his nature?

As expected... he didn't cry.  As expected... he was very quiet.  Not that he doesn't understand, but because he's not confident enough to speak yet. 

When we picked him up on the first day... his teacher and the principal made a bee-line to us to say, "He did great! He understood very well!" 

As the week progressed... we find out from NN that all the older girls are "spying" on him.  I guess he's the "cute" kid.  All the girls like the "cute" kid. 

The principal made a point to mention that "He's so small.... we're all looking out for him." Indeed he is.  He's at least a head shorter than the rest of his classmates. 

First week - a scratched elbow and a bump on his forehead.  The teacher said, "I grew a ton more grey hairs this week than I have over the entire year."  Poor kid... probably too goofy to know that his body is destructible.  That's what happens when you live at home the first 5 years of your life. 

How's dad doing?? I'm doing fine.  He's going through exactly what I went through at Sts. Peter and Paul when I didn't know any English and I was the short, chubby, cute kid. 

How's mom doing?? She's a complete wreck. =)

歲月不饒人

最近發現多咗好多白頭髮，連鬍鬚都是白色的。