A blessing in disguise

Last Saturday, a friend of from the East Coast came to California for an Awards Night Banquet.  He and I aren't really close... but we have gone through some "good times" together.  So we've bonded over the years.  He really wanted to bring his wife with him...and he received his award.  And as such, they wanted to fly their 4 month out with them.  He asked me via email if I knew of any babysitters who can watch their kid for them during the 3 hour dinner/banquet/award presentation.  I promptly said, "Yes... ME!!!!" 

So here I was....with a 4 month old.  She's on east coast time, so supposedly, she should be sleeping through the night.  Right....WRONG!!!!!!!!!!

Oh my goodness..... she did well for the first 2 hours, but around 9PM, for no reason whatsover, she started bellowing and screaming and hollering.  Joyce tried to calm her down.  Didn't work.  All the techniques I used to quiet Nn and Sw down did NOT work.  After about 20 minutes of torture (for the entire family, and the infant), I was going to call my friend to come pick her up.  But his party ended at 10PM.  I needed to come through for my friend. "C'mon!!! I'm a professional parent!!!"

Out of desparation.... I buckled the baby into the car seat and started to swing the car seat - all 30+ pounds.  My arms ached.  My back hurt.  I was dripping in sweat.  But the only thing that mattered was.... she stopped crying!  Then slowly but surely, I laid down the car seat and started rocking her back to sleep.  She wasn't asleep, totally, but she was calm. 

Phew....... 

Around 9:50, I strapped her into my car and drove her to the Hyatt and dropped her off at my friend's hotel.  The only thing I told them was, "She woke up for a bit... I rocked her back to sleep." 

I got home.... and Joyce said, "Thank you.  Now I'm absolutely sure I do not want another one.  Good night." 

A parenting moment...

Had a wonderful and memorable parenting moment this evening... and I wasn't even involved in it.

I was watching from the hall....(more like spying)... on Nui-nui brush her teeth. There she stood, in her PJ's, on the IKEA stool, squeezing her tube of toothpaste.  Only... she squeezed a bit too hard and out squirts a blob of toothpaste dripping off and running down the side.

I could've walked up and yelled at her.  I could've gone up and cleaned it for her.  But I didn't feel like moving.  I continued observing... and I see Nn use her tooth brush to scoop up some of the overflowed gob of goop.  She carefully balances the the toothbrush on her cup of water.  Then stretches out and turns on the faucet.... and starts rinsing the mouth of the toothpaste.  Cleaning it.  Wiping it.  After the tip of the tube if spotless... she turns the faucet off.  Puts the cap back on.  And starts brushing her teeth.

She turns around.... sees me looking.... and says, "Bah-bee.  I cleaned it." 

And while wiping the tears away from my eyes... I can only say, "Good girl."

That's my girl.... she's 4.  But shes grown up now....she can clean her own mess.  And she'll even admit to it. 

Now you see it... now you don't...

For four days... I've been searching for my remote control.  High and low... near and far... I've looked and couldn't find it.  What is a man, without his remote?  I've gotten to a point where I would not watch TV, cuz I have to walk to turn it on. 

Four days.  Where did Siu Wah hide it? inside his toys? inside some random box? inside the secret compartment to the secret drawer in his secret hiding spot? 

Four days later.... I pull open the drawer on my coffee table to look for something else and there it was.  Only, it was the back side (gray) instead of the top side (black with all the buttons).  It was there allllllll along.... right under my nose.... the same drawer I've pulled opened dozens of time the past four days.  How'd I miss it.....?

Opening Day 2013

Who was gonna raise the flag?  The best kept secret since they announced the winner of Survivor.

It sure got dusty when Boch walked in from the centerfield gate with the trophy.  Then as the SFFD pulled up in McCovey Cove with the banner... and the fans hoisted the banner onto the field, the dust turned into mist.  And as the six players took the flag and ran up the brick walls... it really started getting wet.  Then finally... with Queen blasting on the speakers, with the words "We are the Champions" echoing off the walls... and as the players took turn hoisting the flag as a team.... the tears finally rolled.

Opening Day... it's like no other.  Especially... when you're Opening as Defending Champs.  And best of all... I got to see it with my wife. (who earlier in the day... went on a shopping spree at Anthropologie.  So we all win!)

Brief moments in time...

Been a while since I've had the inspiration to write.... so this will be just snapshots of brief moments in time....

• took Nui-nui to the beach on Friday....found myself having more fun building a sandcastle than her.  (another GREAT Father-Daughter Day)
• waiting in the car to pick up the ladies when I pulled out my phone and snapped a photo of Siu-Wah.... and realizing how much he's grown in the past month.  He has hair!!!
• 7 years ago.... calling, driving and picking up a college student seemed like nothing.  But having her mention that in her testimony makes me once again realize, every little, insignificant motion can be used by God for His glory.
• being a 2nd child is tough
• on a random day.... on a random road.... I was thinking, "Dang....why didn't they hand it to Gore for that last 5 yard!??!"  Yep.... still peeved about the Superbowl.
• I love the theme song to 天蠶變.
• Two close friends' moms being diagnosed with cancer within a week of one another.  Sheeeesh.
• It took almost two years... but Siu Wah is finally taking a liking to books.  Shouldn't compare to Nui-nui.... but she took a liking to books when she was around 1.  Is that why their speech development is so different? 
• gave my iPhone4 to mom.  She was like a kid in a candy store.
• Jeff had his annual birthday bowling bash...and this time we made it. 
• without proof of seeing or hearing... I know that my wife is praying for me.  Otherwise, I wouldn't be who I am today.  And she will never admit to it...or take credit for it. 

April is here.... wow.  That was three months?!?

Generational sins

Another reality check hitting us smack in the face. At swimming class today, Nn found out her friend just came from their mutual friend's birthday party. Needless to say, Nn was disappointed she wasn't invited. Actually, she was more confused than anything.  Joyce said the most obvious answer and yet the hardest to bear answer.... it's that we don't know them very well. So my kid has to suffer due to her parent's inability to socialize.

 This especially hits us hard because Joyce and I are natural introverts. We don't mind not being part of the crowd or we would gravitate towards being alone (generally speaking). But by us bring our old selves... we're in retrospect impeding if not endangering Nn's social acumen.  So what does that mean? Prolly means we'll have to get chummy with the other parents toget Nn more inbolved.  Sigh.... the things we do for our kids....

Pope Francis I

A new pope was elected and announced today... Pope Francis I, hailing from Argentina.  The first American (Latin American) pope. What can I say... once a Catholic, always a Catholic.  And this pope is extremely personable to me.  Francis.  Of all the names.... he picks Francis. 

Patron saint of San Francisco - the city where I grew up.
My own personal patron saint... I even chose "Francis" as my confirmation name.
Francis of Xavier founded the Jesuit society.  And my alma mater, Santa Clara University is a Jesuit college.

Pope Francis - living a life of meekness and humility; serving the poor.  Living in an apartment instead of the bishops home.  Cooks his own meals. Takes public transportation.  Slow to debate and lets his action speak for himself. 

At Vatican meetings.... loves to take the back row...as far back as possible.  Speaks out against social injustice.  But also is known for making a wrong move here or there.

Definitely reasonate with his style. 

What does that mean for the Catholic church???  He's a 76 year old conservative with only 1 lung.  How much energy does he have left to right the wrong? To cleanse the years of scandals? To reunite the divided?

By his physical self... a few years.  By the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit..... who the heck knows.

Cuate

Cuate.  In Spanish, it means "twin" or "twin brother." 

I have two cuates... both of which I met in college.  Both happen to be Mexican.  One cuate is in the Army, lives in the East Coast, happily married and we stay connected via social media.  We share the same birthday.

My other cuate... works for the same company I work at, but a different part of the corporation; a branch out of Colorado.  And by luck or happenstance, as I was walking out last Friday, I see him sitting in some random spot, doing some random work. 

I'm thinking.... ("Wait.... do I know this guy?? He looks familiar.... OMG.... it's........")

"CUATE!!"

Hahah..... literally, seeing a long last family member.  The last time we saw each other was years ago when we went to a Giants game together. It's been almost 7 years.

Went to lunch with him yesterday.  And man..... he's a father of two, well established, approaching his mid-30's.... and he hasn't changed one bit.  Not one little, measly bit.  Same cuss words.  Same laff.  Same wide eyes.  Every last bit of him....the same.  Only... he put on some pounds and has a few extra wrinkles.

Makes me wonder.... have I changed??????  Hmmmmmm.......

Up again

Woke up and felt really rested so I decided to shower and make breakfast... Only to realize it was 230AM!!

I tried to go back to sleep but it was fruitless... Fruitless after another night of guilt ridden sleep. Geez.... For Lent, we're fasting Anger and trying to not yell at Nn... But for the 2nd day in a row... I fall victim to my own rage and disappointment.  I stand in between two dichotomies... Either I spoil my kids and give them whatever they want .. Or I stand firm and let them get into their tantrums and fits and not bend.

Joyce is saying Nn needs security and needs to sense unconditional love.  But why do I think kids can  pick up on that and manipulate you?

What do I do? What would you do? And why can't I find the answer on Wikipedia?!?!

Simple act of kindness

What may seem like a simple act of kindness or an insignificant gesture of politeness can have herculean effects.

Take for instant... a story my dad told me.  He was a waiter in Chinatown many years ago.  And a stranger walked in looking troubled and disconcerted.  My dad naturally offered the man a glass of water...knowing full well he wasn't a paying customer.  The man gulped the water... and walked out.  Several weeks later...the man comes back and offers my dad a red envelope - thanking him.  Thanking him for saving his life.  Cuz that man was nearing cardiac arrest and at that moment... what he needed was a glass of water. 

Sometimes it's a smile.  Sometimes it's a hug.  Sometimes, it's opening your home and letting someone come in and feel loved. 

I thank you for the simple act of kindness. 

千里馬， 奔跑吧！

Where are those genes?

Hrm.....why is my son so short?