Looking back at 2022

2022.  An even year.  The year of the Tiger.  A midterm election year - which means it's 2 years after/before the presidential election and Olympics.  Which also means it's the World Cup.  The world mourned as Neymar lost to scrappy Croatia and the whole world cheered (except for Brazil), as Messi was finally coronated as the Great of All Time (more on that later).  Along the way... we also mourned for giants and titans such as Queen Elizabeth, Sidney Portier, Jiang Zemin, Angela Lansbury, Pope Benedict... and to bookend these two sentences, Pele - THE Great of All Time. The year started with the world coming out from a pandemic only to slapped in the face by Omicron like Monday slaps Garfield or Will Smith at the Oscars. We witnessed the invasion of Ukraine nearly kickstarting World War III, just as we were inundated by headline after headline of mass shootings, eclipsed by the "never would I imagine" overturning of Roe v Wade, followed by the inevitable implosion of cryptocurrency, to a preview of the 2024 election with down to the wire... many days after... election-fraud drama.  The world predicted a record breaking number of COVID babies due to SIP... and two of our closest family friends helped bolster that metric. It's almost cliche to say... but it should be said...  Looking forward to a better and brighter year.  Before we do... let's have a look back at 2022....

I think I need to launch a separate mini section for NN and SW.  They're both in middle school now.  Young Adult's.  Beings of their own.  If I included them in my Top 10.... it'll be more like a Top 5 cuz they occupy so much real estate.  Kinda like when Beauty of the Beast got a Best Picture nomination only for the Academy to spin off a Best Animated Picture category.  "And the winner is..."

NN:

1. Being selected to Basketball Team A only to be demoted to Team B and end up winning the PHD.  Not to mention scoring that one basket against Team A during a scrimmage. 
2. Being selected Team Captain of the Volleyball Team B and earning PHD again.
3. Auditioning for and winning the lead role in Music Man Jr... only to be stricken by a voice cancelling cold the week before going live.
4. Hawaii
5. All Church Retreat

SW:

1. Making into King's and transitioning middle school
2. Winning MIP and MVP for flag football and basketball
3. Hawaii
4. Driving a golf cart
5. All Church Retreat

Without further ado.... here is my top 10 of 2022. 

1. Affordable Housing - on some random summer day, Siu Han calls and asks me to help her find housing cuz she's afraid of being evicted.  Huda known that that would've launched me into months of research, learning, scaling, and finally... overcoming the situation by placing her into Affordable Housing.  I've documented this too many times in the actual blog... but to see first hand how helpless non-English speakers are in this land of opportunity... is propelling me into my next phase of ministry. 
2. Warriors Championship Parade - Not one, not two, not three... but four chips in the last 7 years.  If you don't call that a dynasty... then what??? To cap off a season of improbables... the impossible happened.  NN accompanied me to the Warriors Championship Parade with dad.  In the end... it was a horrible day.  But a day... that eeked into the top 10. 
3. He's gone - I preach to the kids.. we will never get a pet outside of a fish.  Picking up poop.  Walking them in the early mornings or late at night in the rain. Socials and schools. Begging for dog sitters during vacations. Doggie hotels which lead to depression. Dental, salon, and vet bills. All that.... just to cover up the fear of inevitable separation. Never have I thought that I'll be so attached to one that wasn't even my own.  Is there such thing as doggie heaven? Based on Christian dogma... they didn't "believe and confess."  Then again... based on Christian drama... they will be judged by their hearts.  I choose to believe... we shall meet again. 
4. Coach Henry - what started as an innocent email asking for parental help turned into a legacy in the Leung household. Initially... I signed up to shag balls and find an excuse to hang out with my tweenage daughter.  Huda thunk that it'll evolve to being an intricate part of NN's 7th grade year... and led to being invited to coach the Boy's team with an [un]forgettable season for SW's 6th grade season.  Yes... I am 0-12.  Winless.  The biggest loser.  But to be able to spend such quality time with my children.... I'm the biggest winner. 
5. First Victories - NN started her athletic career 0-12.  Never would I have thought that I would be on hand to deliver NN's first organized team sport victory.  After leaving the courts for 10+ years, my first venture back equated to a Dubya.  1-12.  Can't wait for #2 to roll around.
6. Hanging up the badge - 5 years as CS MA, it was time.  To wrap up a lame duck year... there was CNY, CS Picnic, WOG End of Year Carnival, translating at Mission Conference, All Church Retreat - planning, budgeting, performing w/ NN on stage, MC-ing, Rally of Church.  And what did NN say? "I don't think you can stop being MA.  You love doing things too much.  You're going to be listless." She's not wrong.  
7. Fantasy Baseball Champ - Most everything is detailed in the blog post... but the side comment I heard from the kids when we hung out at Jeff's house was, "Daddy... you were so tense during those final weeks.  Always on your phone."  I poured my life into those final weeks.  Can't wait to do it again. 
8. Remodeling - I barely blogged about this topic...  What started in January of 2022 of commissioning a foundation contractor to lift our house... turned into 3 months of design... followed by 3 more months of obtaining a permit.  Only for me to get an AC and concrete guy to start the demo and I find out I have to wait another 3-4 months (at best) for he actual approval.  I got so antsy... my contractor stopped returning my calls and grew snarky with me.  I got so impatient... I nearly marched up a City Council meeting and blasted the city during open mic time.  Cool heads prevailed and I ended up emailing my City Council rep (no response). Hurdle after hurdle... and 12 months after the process started, the foundation was fixed.  The concrete was poured.  The AC reinstalled.  And the handy man patched up the walls and fixed my doors.  12 months of paying mortgage for an empty house while renting a townhouse in Sunnyvale.  Don't ask me how we did it.  Now let's get this sucker rented so I get some money flowing back in!!!
9. Hawaii  - 8 day vacation in paradise with a group of 15...  and the one thing that sticks out as my top moment...was nearly drowning, while being unable to help my kids.  That feeling of inadequacy and utter helplessness will haunt me forever. 
10. COVID - After 2 years of dodging bullets... I became a metric.  I get what I deserve.  Of all the people in my family.. I'm the least observant of masking and sanitizing hands. If not for my love for my wife... and SW's respritory sensitivity... I could careless about any of these guidelines and suggestions.  I'm not an anti-vaxer or anti-masker... I'm just lazy.  Somewhere along the line... I must've let my guard down and BOOM!!! Shawshank for 11 days. But at the end of the day... it wasn't the physical sickness I feared.  But the emotional loneliness I dreaded. Locked up in a room.  Eating by myself (or Facetime, during dinner).  Sneaking a walk when no one was home.  Couldn't touch my wife. Couldn't hug my kids.  Thankfully... I had a couple of close friends to text to keep me sane (Heart U Nita and MC!!!) Oddly. it was also the NBA playoffs and finals, so evenings were entertaining.  If there was ever anything that would make me keep my mask on... it's that emotional separation.  Never.  Ever. Again.  I love my family too much.

Top 10's are just a list I make when I browse through my blog.  I know there are more events that would make this list.  God continues to do amazing things in my life every day... like, keeping me safe from that careless driver on 680 the other day.  Those "moments" will never make this list because it's something that didn't happen.  Those special, countless, moments of anointing.... can only be summed up in one word, or one number, rather..... 2023.  

Thank you, Jesus!! I love you!! 

Loneliness

Had a nice long talk with NN tonight.  "I don't like going to church."  

This was inevitable.  We saw it coming.  And if we don't do something about it... SW will have the same talk with me.  NN and SW, simply do not have friends at church.  They don't have a community.  They don't have body life.  

In a way.. it's self serving.  We never stay after church to chat or hang out.  During COVID, we pretty much stayed at home the entire time (and then some). And we give the kids every excuse to miss Youth.

In some ways... it's digging our own graves.  We do not belong in CS.  We don't really have friends. Our friends are kinda forced.  In reality... we don't hang out.  I might have 1-2 "texting" friends that I enjoy exchanging mindless batter with.  Friends...?? My friends are Nita and Jeff.  Even Anderson is a wild card these days... who knows what his agenda is anymore. 

Church can be lonely.  I don't care how many sermons or sharings there are that church isn't a social club.  It darn well is a social club.  If you truly go there for just choir practice and bible study... then you're kidding yourself.  I've gotten a lot of heat over the years for saying and sticking to this truth... only to be met by the sanctimonious faction that church is "all-accepting" and "class-less."

The sooner you embrace reality, the sooner you can move forward.

I don't fault NN for saying "I don't like going to church."  

Natural Weather Forecaster

Two months ago... I jammed my finger pretty bad while playing basketball.  I've jammed fingers before, but this was the worst I've ever experienced.  I thought I fractured it. The swelling never fully died down.  Till this day... I still can't bend my finger like before.  And then today...  it started screaming in pain without me doing anything.  Which can only mean one thing... I now possess the ability to predict the future. 

Evolution of Card Games

It started with Uno in the 80's.... then things went dormant except for your collector cards like Magic the Gathering and Pokemon.  I think it was in the early 2000's when Monopoly Go revolutionized and resurrected the card game industry and since then it's been a booming steady source of Christmas Gifts.  Gotta hand it to them.. .they do a great job packaging and marketing the game.

Like the game "Dos", the second coming of "Uno".  Great packaging but it was a dud.

We then bought games like Sushi Go, Ramen Fury, A Little Wordy.  

This Christmas... I was gifted with Exploding Kittens "Taco, Cat, Goat, Cheese, Pizza" which is simply Slap Jack with a bit of a twist. 

The one common theme.... all these games last for about 20 minutes before it really needs to become a drinking game. 

Fake it till you make it

 Was invited to take part in church choir on Christmas.  Had rehearsals today where we attempted to sing "Joy to the World" as a four-ranged choir.  I was put into bass.  Sam sent out a notes beforehand and I listened and studied the night before. But when joined with the other three ranges and the lead melody... I was lost.  I tried to fake it... but it was obvious I was lost.  In a sea of noobs... no one would know.  But in a room of professionals... it stuck out like a sore thumb. HA!  Gonna fake it... till I make it. 

Tahoe

Never thought it'll happen.. but our family finally hit the slopes.  I last went in he mid 2000's before getting married.  Since then... the economics have driven me away... and when I tried to make it back, there was every reason not to go.  

The Tat's made a fine recommendation, site wise and economics wise where it was fairly attractive but within dollar reasons.  The Leung's finally kept up with the Jone's and we took our kids to Tahoe; really, Reno, but Tahoe sounds sexier. 

First day... the place was packed!! The lines were so long and the equipment rental rooms has the heat turned way up... and it was filled with so many people, SW got nauseous from altitude sickness.  Not since his allergic reaction to nut where we hit the emergency room did I feel so helpless and cranked up my fatherly skills.  (Don't worry.  Everything will be fine.  Keep him calm.  Stay calm yourself.  Look for help). I ripped his jacket off... took him outside for some fresh air... and he slowly recovered.  Meanwhile.. NN, the teenager, was on her own with the equipment guys.  She didn't need an overbearing parent. 

After about an hour of getting set up... they were finally able to join their lesson, which was also packed.  And here's where I could no longer join them, as they were fenced off.  Lessons aren't fun, but they're needed.  How to get in and out of your skis.  How to get up from a fall.  How to turn around.  How to stay safe.  The lessons lasted two hours... and they were exhausted.  From afar... in the cold... we were watching as they fell.  Tried to get up.  Just to fall again.  Heh... then came time for lunch and they were done.  Spent. No mas.  Once again...the altitude was getting to them.  Along with the fact... skiing is a tough sport!!!  

During lunch... which SW barely had an appetite... they just wanted to sit down and watch Youtube/Netflix.  I'm looking at my watch... "Dude!!! I paid $160 for each person!! Get your butts out there!!"  I held my tongue for as long as I can and I finally slipped.  The kids obliged begrudgingly.  

SW was skeptical...cuz he was sick.  NN was determined.. cuz that's how she's wired.  They went back to the bunny slopes just to get their bearings straight.  And off the chute... SW lost control and bowling- balled into a bunch of kids.  NN did a little better... she veered left and made a gymnastic landing into the fences where her she got stuck and needed help untangling herself.  Joyce thought they were gonna be done when they removed their gear and walked back towards the lodge.  Turns out... they were done with the bunny slopes and wanted to hit the mountains.

It was only uphill from there, figuratively. They lined up for the Green Circle and it was no turning back.  Without any instructions... they approached their first lift.  And of course... they didn't know what to do and caused a stoppage.  Heh... after that, they were off.  I have no idea where they were going... as they ascended to the heavens. Just nervously paced at the bottom of the hill hoping and praying that they arrive safely... and not on the back of a snowmobile.  The next 10 minutes... I spent staring at a million people wearing black jackets and pants.  (Mental note, wear orange or yellow next time!) 

Out of nowhere, NN slid down one trail and SW glided another.  Both in one piece.  Barely any damages.  They admitted, one of them wiped out.  But that was it.  They were in love and kept going and going.  Lessons were tough... but skiing was actually fun. We quickly retreated back to the warm confides of the lodge where we brought snacks and libations.  Ahhh......life is good.  Life would've been great... had I been able to join them.  I so wanted to... so so wanted to.  The fear of falling and not getting up outweighed my need for speed... or more so... the wife giving me a look of not ditching her outweighed that jonesing feeling.  Sigh... 

But alas... we can finally make claim... "We went to Tahoe." 

Is there a wrong way?

Interesting topic came up during dinner... for Chinese veggies... which direction do you eat it? Do you start with the stalk and end with the leaf? Or vice versa?

I'm one that starts from the stalk cuz I'm a leaf guy.  Save the best for last.  And by nature's direction... the leaf points "up" so as you're chomping from the end... it'll naturally flow into your mouth.  

That and toilet paper goes over.  Rules in life you mustn't break. 

MVP

 "The 2022 Most Valuable Player for Jr High Basketball Team 6B goes to...."

Freeze time....

Flash back to October 20th... after Basketball Tryouts and Coach Jacob separated the boys to Team A and Team B.  SW did not make Team A.  And he and I sat on a bench outside of school.  He was clearly unhappy and I forced him to open up.  "SW... are you sad you didn't make Team A?"  "Yeah..."  And to pour salt on his wound... a bunch of friends that made Team A were hootin and hollerin right in front of us.  It was a heart breaking moment for me.

Unfreeze time... 

Flash forward to today at the Team Celebration... "goes to.... Joshua!!!"  And there it was.  Big fish, little pond. SW is named Most Valuable Player. 

It came down to SW and Alex.  Legitimately... the two of them carried the team. The point guard...and the shooting guard.  Trying to be unbiased... Alex shoulda won Most Skilled Player. He has better handles. He had a softer shot.  But SW was truly the Most Valuable Player.  Maybe not the best player... but he can fit into multiple positions.  He was a silent leader.  During scrimmages... his teammates would shout out, "Watch out for SW!!".  During knock-out... he had a target on this back.  Some credit goes to his dad... for taking him out to the courts during the summer and on weekends to sharpen his skills.

In reality... the players votes came down to a tie.  The Athletic Director asked what I wanted to do.  And due to a conflict of interest... I told her, "Let Coach Noah decide."  And he did.  We could've had co-MVP's... but in the end... Coach Noah picked the more deserving player. 

Onto our next disappointment... which will lead to the next triumph. 

Winless

There is a certain lore of being undefeated.  There is an equal amount of unicornism or bigfootity for the exact opposite.  Winless.  That's what I became today.  In 2022... I was winless as a basketball coach.

0-6 for Jr. High Girls.

0-6 for Jr. High Boys.

I'm a bit downtrodden... but I am truly playing with house money.  To coach my son... to see him in his natural environment with his friends... to become a "cool, fun dad (with a bit of a temper)" is priceless.  What capped it off... was at the end of our final game... after the final speeches... as everyone was headed home, one of the mom's came up to be and handed me a thank you card.  It was 'one of those moments.'  

Never expected... but always appreciated.  Hopefully... we made an indelible mark in these youngster's lives. 

Raisinets

You hate someone... give them Raisins.

Someone hates you... expect Raisins. 

But that's not even that bad.  What's perpetually worse than raisins... is the ultimate passive-aggressive, bait-n-switch, snake-oil sales man of clothing raisin underneath sweet, creamy chocolate. That trap... can only be summed up as.... pure evil.  

有朋自遠方來

Nita and Brandon came to visit... and we scoped out the entire day to spend with them.

It started with driving out to the city on an early, rainy, Saturday morning.  We walked and got some mediocre coffee and overrated pastry.  Then we headed to Koi Palace... which was amazingly not-packed.  Then we headed to Serramonte to relive our childhoods. So many memories... so many moment in times.  This was the place Joyce and I had, arguably, our first date. 

I still remember that Christmas of 1998... when I summoned her to take me shopping for our church Christmas party.  We ended up buying a Winnie the Pooh stuffed animal which... miraculously... was raffled off to a young child. 

We then relived our child hood footsteps and walked through the malls of Serrmamonte and Stonestown.  Jeff spent about 2 hours shopping for shirts and sweaters.  Nita played her role of the overbearing mother... while Brandon and I screwed around and tried on everything and anything to kill time. 

The weather did NOT cooperate.  It was rainy and wet... but inside... we were dry and high.  I had so much freedom to pour out my life... my joys and miseries... which I can only do to someone. After my much needed therapy session.. .we found ourselves at PPQ Dungenous Island feasting on garlic crab and garlic noodles.  Yes... it was too much food.  But we killed it.  Yes... it was too pricey... but how often do you hang out with best friends.  Yes... it was bad for my cholesterol... but there's always tomorrow to start eating oatmeal and exercise. 

We ended up back at Jeff's house where we were flipping through VOD shows.... and it got so late... I had to say, "Ok... I gotta go." Only for Nita to say, "Oh good... I was gonna say something soon." In my head... "Why didn't you say something!?!?!?"  Probably exactly what she was thinking.

In a way... we didn't want the night to end.  But at the same time... we're old.  We need to hit the hay.  Which is exactly what I'm gonna do now.