The Sin Above All Sins

Friday.. I committed the sin of all sins.  The unforgiveable sin.  The one sin that shall conquer them all.  On Friday...  I missed my daughter's musical performance.

That morning as I was walking out... Joyce told me the performance will be at 4.  I even said I'll bring the camcorder.  I forgot one... I forgot both.

Work was tough.  Been out on travel all week... first day back and all the deadlines were past due.  The boss was out... and the boss's boss was hot on everyone's tail.  A 1PM meeting quickly got rescheduled to a 4:30PM meeting. 

At around 415, as we were feverishly trying to gather our data and input.... "THE PHONE CALL" comes.  I pick up and the voice I hear was, "Are you coming?" 

It was a rhetorical question. I couldn't have answered. I couldn't have made it.  I couldn't have done anything except say, "Ai-yah.... I forgot." 

How do you just forget? Do you forget to eat? Do you forget to pee? Do you forget your own flesh and blood's daycare performance?

I quickly shared my misery with all my buddies at work.  Those with children all let out a similar... "Ohhh...." 

Here I was, thinking back on all the times I vow to choose family over work.  To not miss a recital, a performance, a soccer game, a birthday.  And there I stood...committing the sin above all sins. 

It shouldn't have ended that way... but I'll never really know

It's over.... it's finally over.  The 49ers miracle run at a 6th Superbowl can be officially closed.

Been avoiding all types of media the past two days... in hopes of not having to hear, see or think about what might have happened.  I rather skip out on World News than to accidentally see headlines like "Oh So Close" or "The Fumble 2."  But that's inevitable. 

And you know what the funniest part is....?  I didn't even watch the game.  That's right.... the first NFC Championship game in 15 years and I didn't watch it.  Why, you say??

Well..... let's just say as part of my confession, reconciliation, penance.... I agreed to spend time with my family and not watch this game.  And if you've ever had nicotine or caffeine withdrawal.... multiply that by 100 and you'll be in the ball park of where I was.

For 5 whole hours, I didn't get near my phone, in case someone texted me.  I surfed on websites that I needed to get some work done - avoiding any score highlights.  I had the TV/radio shut off. 

But as destiny would have it.... I was still getting the game's status fed to me by a co-worker in Philadelphia who kept IM-ing me!!  I was logged into work's network, not knowing some other poor soul would be logged on a Sunday evening.  HA!!

In any case.... it's over.  Tears welled up, but didn't run down.  The heaviness of the heart... that ol' so familiar feeling was back.  And it's another year of saying the old adage, "There's always next year...."

有緣人

數月前, 把傑作 "梁生嘗試煮薑醋" 放上youtube.
數月後, 竟然有位有緣人留下comment...

"無意中發現你們兩夫妻合作影片"梁生嘗試煮薑醋 / Mr. Leung's Ginegar (Part 1-4) "對於我學作這道薑醋是很有幫助，多年前已從我家失傳~所以今天對我是如獲至寶，結果發現你們太可愛了，謝謝你們啦~hahahahahaha"

實在太開心了, 一個小小的玩意能幫到人! 

The Girl that cried wolf....

So Nui-nui figured out...all on her very own... that telling a lie can get her out of trouble.  And more interestingly... she can shed blame on someone else, including blaming her 8 month old brother or one of her parents.  Smart kid? Devious kid?

Tonight.... I sat her down and told her the story of "The Little Girl Who Cried Wolf."  She was all excited about a new bedtime story.  She ran onto bed and got underneath her covers as opposed to the regular begging.

As the story unfolded.... you can see her eyes...or the look on her face, the anticipation for the cute or funny part.  When I got to the climax... where the wolf eats all the sheep (I didn't say the wolf ate the girl, of course).  Her eyes were as big as tennis balls.

I asked her if she liked the story... and she said "No."

Sugar high - misunderstood

Did some research recently to substantiate a thought occurrence and found out that sugar high - is actually a misnomer. 

In Chinese... there's a term called 飯氣攻心.  Translated to "The Rice Energy Attacks the Heart."  When you're done with a meal... you're usually tired, sleepy, lethargic.  That's cuz your digestive system is busy working.  The other reason is because you ate a lot of carbs.  Carbs are merely sugar, saccaride, glucose.  With a surge in glucose in your blood, you get an insulin rush which then makes one tired. 

So why do people think sugar gives them a high? Well... there is such a thing as a sugar rush.  Or...if a body is efficent, it breaks down the sugar really fast and provides a lot of energy.  Children usually get a "sugar-high" not from candy... but from the fact the have access to a forbidden fruit.  C'mon.... 9 out of 10 parents use candy as a reward and only give them out on occasion.  So it's from the excitement the kids are jumping around.  Chocolate houses a lot of caffeine - which will give you a momentary boost. 

But all in all... try eating a bowl of white rice.  Or a baked potato.  And see how you feel in 20-30 minutes.
It'll be like reading this post..... zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz......

When does life start getting complicated?

College.... bachelorhood...  2 out of 3 guys do your own laundry.  After drying your clothes.... you most likely will fold them.  There are the boxers, socks and t-shirt.  Simple!!  Jeans and towels are onesie / twosies.  Not worth it's own category.  Three piles.... they go right back into your dresser.

Then it's married life.  And instantly... the 3 piles become don't just double.... they nearly triple.  You still have your socks/shirts/boxers.  Then there's the added panties.  There are her socks.  And unlike you... who sleep shirtless or in those same t-shirts, she has the pajamas and nightgowns.  She has three different types of blouses. She has her bra... .and she has that shirt that goes over the bra... .but isn't really a shirt.  It's a category on it's own.  She has pants, jeans, skirts and dresses.

Then you start having kids.  Then the 9 piles of stuff doubles yet again.  It starts out simple... but gets complicated fast.  First there are the onesies and sleepers.  Then there are the towels.  Then they start wearing clothes.  Not cuz they want to or even need to...but cuz mommy wants them to.  Instantly, they have pants and shorts.  They also have jammies to go under those sleepers.  They have different types of shirts.  The sweater shirts.  The sleeveless shirts.  The sleeved shirts.  They wear socks too!  Not to mention the dozens of little towels you go through on a weekly basis.

Pretty soon, you have two kids.  And the original 3 piles that was so simple and easy to fold/organize/store exponentially multiples to 20 some odd piles and categories.  A chore that took ~5 minutes to accomplish now takes over half an hour.

Just wait until your daughter grows up to be a teenager.  She'll match or exceed mom's laundry output.  A son on the otherhand will easily create another 3-pack.

Not that I'm complaining.  Merely an observation.

A look back at 2011

2011 - What is 2011? It's a prime number as well as an odd number.  It's a first of the 10's, I guess, or whatever you call this decade.  It marks the end of many eras (Space Shuttle, Steve Jobs, Oprah, War in Iraq) as well as the beginning of many more (Occupy, Middle Eastern Revolutions, Jim Harbaugh). 
But what was 2011 for me? Or.. in reality, what was 2011 like for my family?

Let's go through the bottom 3 of 2011 before we hit the top 10. In no particular order....

1. Sharks lose to Vancouver in Game 7 of Western Conference Final / Buster Posey goes down with season ending injury. -- I know... how can sports matter so much in your life? I don't know either... bite me.
2. Virus and bacteria and germs - oh my! - Croup, Multiple bouts of cold, Hand Foot Mouth, food allergies plagued Nui-nui and Bebe and ultimately our family.
3. Being a father / Being a husband / Being an employee / Being a son- there was a 2 month period where I completely failed at being any one of the four. And when that happened... I had no one to turn to for help or comfort.  No one.

Let's do the easier one... or the happier one... or the one where I actually blogged about.
In reverse order, as it should be, I guess

10. Got jobs??  - In this economy, we can't take anything for granted. Childcare, diapers, data plans, gas... they all cost money.  Not a day goes by where we're not thankful (though we do complain every now and then...tee hee!)
9. United Premier Membership. - >25,000 miles in one calendar year.  What does that mean? In 2012, free upgrades, early boarding, free baggage check, etc...
8.  Mother/Daughter Bond - During the 2 weeks MIL lived with us to during 坐月, Joyce was able to re-establish a mother/daughter relationship that is oh, so precious and priceless.
7. Family reunion in NY - Blogged about it here.  In essence, got to see members of my family I've never met and might never ever see again.
6. Promotion to Manager - Finally made that step from engineer to manager.  In a way, it caused a huge strain in our marriage and family... (see bottom #3 above) but it also helped me earn #9.  A new chapter being written.... and thus far, the first few pages have been respectable.
5.Wedding Bells - Two of my closest friend and my best friend got engaged and/or married this year. One word.... FINALLY!!!!
4. Fruits of the Loin - Two of our closest family friends were blessed with their little ones 1 week apart!  Eden Fellowship's population increased by almost 40% within two months!! 
3. Nui-stones - Simply too many to summarize in a couple of sentences.  But looking back at my 2011 blog, over 70% of the entries were dedicated to Nui-nui and her daily/weekly/monthly milestones.
2. WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!!! - And to you who thinks I'm crazy for putting this #2, NEW YORK CAB DRIVER SALUTE TO YOU!!!!   56 years of futility and we finally get to raise the World Series Banner at AT&T.


and the #1 event of 2011 for me.............. it's actually quite easy when you think about it.  It's already been foreshadowed twice in the list above.  

1. Birth of My Son - 為梁家繼後香燈.  I know... it's old fashion.  I know... it's old society.  I know...!  But there still was that infinitesimal pressure of needing to have a male in our blood line.  No idea where that idea came from.  And not even saying it's right, proper or justified.  In any case, that day was best summarized in my Running Diary. Though, that's not why it's #1.  Any children is a true blessing from God.  I can only be thankful that I even have the honor of being a parent twice.



For all the good times and bad times... I still give praise and thanks to Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior!

My Creed

This is My Creed.  I will add to it. I will stand by it.  But I'm not stubborn enough to refuse to change it. 

I believe...

...in one true God.
...in Jesus Christ, my Savior, the only begotten Son of God the Father.
...in the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, who still empowers us today.
...in love at first sight
...democrats and republicans are both right
 ...good coffee could be had with sugar/cream, but great coffee should be enjoyed black
...in the education system
...ten hugs and kisses can not ever repair the damage caused by yelling at your child once
...in public displays of affection
...that people can change
...the biggest short coming of any economic system (capitalism, socialism, etc...) is GREED
...3DTV will not sell
...in taking risks
...golf is a sport
...6" of extra leg space should not come with a price even though it's priceless
...the 2002 Giants would've won Game 6 had Dusty kept Ortiz in the game
...we are the only living beings in this universe
...you can't prove everything empirically
...we spend too much time and money arguing and debating instead of doing
...complacency and comfort is just as deadly to a soul as drugs and alcohol to a body
...marriage is ordained for a man and a woman
...ghosts and demons, as much as I believe in angels and spirits
...I have lot to add to this list...

And the torture subsides...

Was finally able to sleep last night.... went to bed at 11:30PM and woke up around 4:30AM to the voice of Nui-nui crying for Bah-bee. 

Long time no sleep.... how I miss thee.  But my throat, tongue and mouth still ohhhhh sooooo sore I can't eat too much before the pain is too overbearing. 

At the very least though... sleep means rest... means I'm less anxious and on edge.... means less screaming and yelling and angry looks at poor Nui-nui.

If I had one wish....

If I had one wish....what would it be???

Some might say "World Peace."  Prior to 2010, some may have said "let the Giants win the World Series."
Some of the more clever folks will say, "I wish for infinite amount of wishes."  Course...there are over a million movies who've done that premise where the person says something like "I wish this never happened....only to realize it wasn't REALLY a wish, just a figure of speech." 

One of my friend taught me an even more clever trick..."An infinite amount of wishes provided a snap my fingers every time."  That way.... I won't slip and say something like, "I wish you were dead!!!"

Well.... be careful what you wish for, cuz it must might come true.

After the holidays feastings... the huge amount of travel... the generous amount of portions I feed myself, I told Joyce that I wish I could go on a fast.  Of course.... fasting shouldn't be for personal gain.  Rather, it should be God ordained and for His purpose.  But He works in weird ways.

With this stinken (no pun intended) HFM disease, I've lost my appetite for 4 days now.  And when I'm hungry, the sores in my mouth, tongue and throat prevent me from wanting to eat.  Not only that... I've been wanting to reduce the amount I speak, cuz.... I know more than anyone, I talk waaaaaaaaay too much when not invited to speak.  With these canker sores, I'm limited to how much I can talk around the house!! 

Sigh.... such it is.

Apex'ed yet?

Gosh... and I thought the fever was bad.  Last night was...literally....to die for.

After a warm shower and some oatmeal body wash to reduce the itching, I applied some Calamine to my rashes.  Only....the warm shower apparently made the itch 100x worse!!  I tried everything to get rid of the itch.  I took a shot of benadryl.  No avail.  I doused myself with layers and layers of hydrocortisone.  Minutes of relief.  The pain wasn't close to subsiding.  I finally grabbed a couple of ice packs.... one to step on with both feet and one to grab with both hands.  That...finally...provided some relief.

And I hung onto that thing for dear life for the rest of the night. Had four ice packs going...switching it up every time they melted.  Then I took a shot of nyquil, hoping I can fall sleep.  Didn't work one bit.

Stayed up the entire night ITCHING.  Like the soles of my hand and feet have these ants and bugs crawling on it, gnawing and chewing on my tissue.  Again, the only form of relief was to hold onto an ice pack for dear life. 

Finally, at 4AM, I was able to close my eyes for an hour.  And when I woke up.... the itch went away.  But instead of itch....each and every spot that itched, is replaced with a soaring pain!!