It goes both ways

 Few posts ago... I posted that there's a wall between me and Nn now.  Don't know when that wall started appearing.. and not entirely sure how big, how thick, how wide that wall is. But it's there.

Tonight... as I was putting her to bed... and we were doing our usual Crossword Mini, Wordle and Quordle... she started to doze off.  I asked if she wanted to skip Quordle.  She promptly said no... saying this is the few moments we actually spend time together now. 

I was taken aback by that comment.  Then she started going off on how I'm always moody.. .so she leaves me alone. And she mentions that I spend a lot more time with SW instead of her.  Heart breaking and gut wrenching.  I guess she feels it too.

Now... what to do to remedy this?

Spring Break

Days after NN comes back from her 9 day East Coast trip and we decided to capture the opportunity and enjoy our Spring Break by taking a quick trip down the coast to San Luis Obispo.  We love coming down here.  The kids even call it their 2nd home cuz we come down so often.   We know the food spots and there's just so much to do down here.  There was... the kids are getting older and so are we.  Our interests have vastly changed and it's not so easy finding things of interests anymore.  

This time... I really wanted to take the kids ATV-ing on the Pismo Beach Sand Dunes... which was aptly vetoed. As a compromise... we found our way to the infamous Grover Beach Sand Dunes which was adjacent to the Pismo Dunes.  Initially... I thought I got the wrong address when I drove up to an RV park.  But alas... Joyce said, "We're here... why not walk around?" And about 10 minutes from parking... we found ourselves in a scene of a lifetime.  What looked like miles and miles of sand, resembling the Sahara Desert popped up in front of us.  Hills and valleys of sand.  What started out as a brief venture... turned into an adventure... to a point where NN even said, that was the best part of this trip.  I guess... we're not that old afterall.  

But I really question... are we gonna make it here for another trip...? I highly, highly doubt it. 

9 days later...

After being separated for 9 full days... with some occasional texts and pics... two Facetime calls... and a bunch of pics from parent chaperones... NN is finally home.  

So many things I wanted to know...

What was her favorite museum? Or vista point?

What did she eat?

How was her sleeping arrangements?

Did she have enough spending money?

Was she polite to her chaperones?

Any drama between friends?

Didn't really feel like grilling her... so we just let her talk.  And through and through...she could NOT avoid, probably, the most memorable part of her trip - the Boat Dance.

Turns out... that a lot of boys built up enough courage to ask a girl out and be "exclusive partners." And yes... my NN was an object of not 1, not 2, not 3, but 4 guys' pursuits!!! 

Not sure how I feel about this... still processing.

For one... she used the term, "A lot of guys want me."  Ugh... don't say that.  Not in front of me.  But I didn't dare judge.

Then she said...  "This wasn't a date... but going to a dance with a partner means I've been claimed."  Ugh... no NN... you're not an object or a piece of land.  You are not claimed. 

She also said that her teacher saw them sitting down... and immediately pointed fingers to "stay separated."  Good for the teacher!! But how close did NN and the boy get?!?!?

She even shared the boy asking, "So what is this...?" To which NN said, "This is two friends hanging out..."  I think she friend-zoned him.  Which isn't bad.... just do it smoothly.

Sigh... is this my NN's first date?? I kinda think it is. Joyce says it's not.  I think even NN admitted that it is.  In a public setting.  Under the watchful eyes of teachers and parents.  I guess it's a pill that I'm avoiding, but eventually will have to swallow.

On the flip side... NN told us that some of her friends that did not get asked admitted to "never felt so single in my life."  Hate to always have to choose between two sucker's choice.... but I guess if you look at it from that way... you would rather your child not be the one without a date.  Maybe?? I don't know...

My NNJ.... growing up way faster than I want.  13 going on 30.  I've never felt so distant from her.  I'm simply unable to keep pace anymore.  Should just be glad I can be in the audience watching... from the front row.   

John Wick 4

 A movie that lasts longer than an average 2023 baseball game.  Most of the movie was fun and entertaining.  But the nunchuck scene and the card playing scene was underwhelming... especially for us who grew up with Bruce Lee and God of Gamblers. After the movie... when we would've gone for a late night snack in the past... Anderson and I hurried home to sleep.  Heh

JOG

2 day / 1 night retreat up in Sonoma Valley to talk about Generosity.  Am I a generous person? Frugal? Thrifty? Stingy? Greedy?!?!?!?!  Kinda hard to judge... especially if we include our upbringing, our struggles, our own internal rationalizations.  I'd like to think we're generous... but is that according to our own standards?  

永別了

After 12 years of being in the family... we finally bid farewell to our trusty, yet aging Odyssey.  We took her to LA and SD countless times, including infamously pulling over on Highway 5 so NN can go #2.  Went up to Tahoe without chains.  We've gone literally all over the Bay Area more times than we can imagine.  

It has served our family well.  But with the passage of time... came the passage of this family member.  The struts were off balance.  The shocks were miscentered.  The alarm was broken. The seals were worn out. The doors would jam. A lot of little things... and in the end... it just wasn't worth keeping around any longer.  

Another chapter must begin.... and this time.  We didn't even test drive our new car.  We just bought it off a catalog... figuratively and literally.  And it was delivered today.  Go figure.

And off she goes…

 East Coast Trip - red eye flight from SFO to IAD

To be continued...

Ever have an exciting, wonderful, breath-taking dream where you're about to hit the climax of your story... then you wake up?!?!  And you do everything you possibly can to fall back asleep and pick up where you left off? Do dreams ever come to a satisfying conclusion? 

Pain Relief

Dad gave me a bunch of samples a few months ago… it’s coming in handy! Ha!!

Aches and Pains

Kinesio Tape.  Icy Hot. 雲南白藥。 The only thing missing is Tiger Balm and that's cuz I lent it to someone.  My body is aching.  

It started with doing pull-ups.  I may have strained my left shoulder.  Nothing a little massage and rest couldn't correct, right??

Then I did some plumbing work... and really used my left arm.  To a point where if I move my arm to a certain angle... the pain is debilitating and I can hardly breathe.  To a point where... I was afraid I couldn't play volleyball with the kids this weekend.  

Thankfully... it's the left and not the right shoulder.  But still... when has this ever... EVER... happened?!?

How times have changed...

Was killing time... waiting to get lunch with mom.  So I stopped by Sts. Peter and Paul and walked around the church.  It's amazing how time has completely stood still in there.  None of the decor or statues have changed.  Yet... you won't find a speck of dust in the 10,000 square foot church!!  What really surprised me was... 1) they were playing some gregorian chants over loud speakers for the visitors (cool.. get into the ambience) and 2) candles are now $7!!! Back in the days.. small ones were $0.25 and big ones were $1.00.  Not only that... you can Paypal or Venmo the church.  Heh... technology.