Hong Kong has engaged in a peace movement in hopes of being granted democracy from China. And though I am from Hong Kong... and I claim to have a lot of ties to Hong Kong... I'm honestly ambivalent to what's happening in my homeland.
My entire Facebook feed are people changing their profile picks to a yellow ribbon. People are shedding tears of sadness when seeing what's happening. A friend even broke his 2 year Facebook silence to show support.
There's a theory... that if enough people stared and concentrated on an object, that object will explode under the stress of all the telepathic powers. Makes you wonder... can all these collective thoughts and will power on social media really move the needle in pushing for Hong Kong democracy?
I really wish I can take part in this movement... but I simply don't have any affinity to this sort of thing. Sad. So so sad.
Monday, September 29, 2014
Sunday, September 21, 2014
Children's Alpha - Part Deux
There's this extra hyper kid at Children's Alpha. Not sure what any other leader would've done... but I made the effort to really discipline him. To the point he was almost in tears.
And amazingly enough... he stuck next to me the entire night like bee to honey.
Can it be true... some kids are just thirsting for some parental discipline?
And amazingly enough... he stuck next to me the entire night like bee to honey.
Can it be true... some kids are just thirsting for some parental discipline?
Thursday, September 18, 2014
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
9 Year Anniversary
9 year anniversary today. Suppose to be very special... .cuz 9 signifies 長長久久.
It's been an amazing 9 years. A quick 9 years. 9 years full of ups... and a whole bunch of downs. Still remember those sweet, early years... when it was just the two of us, struggling to make ends meet and pay that mortgage. Then came the first child.... then the second. Work, ministry, life got in the way.... and at one point, the marriage red-light went off. But through and through.... God has kept this 3-way relationship in tact.
And I must say.... today.... I love my wife more than I've ever loved her. My wife... my best friend... the mother of my children.... the only one that truly understands my greatest joy and laments with me in my greatest sorrows.
We didn't do much this year. Last year, we took the day off to go shopping. This year... .we stole a quick lunch at McDonald's. Then I snuck off work early to get her a necklace as a gift.... which she didn't like.... and wanted me to return. I also go the kids a nice set of formal clothes for a formal dinner. Went to the same place we went to for our 2nd year anniversary.
Then at night... it was late. We were tired. We watched a little TV as a family.... and that was it. A quiet, uneventful day. But regardless... it was a day spent with 'you.' And that's all that really matters.
It's been an amazing 9 years. A quick 9 years. 9 years full of ups... and a whole bunch of downs. Still remember those sweet, early years... when it was just the two of us, struggling to make ends meet and pay that mortgage. Then came the first child.... then the second. Work, ministry, life got in the way.... and at one point, the marriage red-light went off. But through and through.... God has kept this 3-way relationship in tact.
And I must say.... today.... I love my wife more than I've ever loved her. My wife... my best friend... the mother of my children.... the only one that truly understands my greatest joy and laments with me in my greatest sorrows.
We didn't do much this year. Last year, we took the day off to go shopping. This year... .we stole a quick lunch at McDonald's. Then I snuck off work early to get her a necklace as a gift.... which she didn't like.... and wanted me to return. I also go the kids a nice set of formal clothes for a formal dinner. Went to the same place we went to for our 2nd year anniversary.
Then at night... it was late. We were tired. We watched a little TV as a family.... and that was it. A quiet, uneventful day. But regardless... it was a day spent with 'you.' And that's all that really matters.
Friday, September 12, 2014
我嘅夢想
My dream...or dare I say fantasy... is quite simple. I want to own and run a restaurant.
Walking through Monterey Fisherman's Wharf the other day, I saw a restaurant owner wearing a nice polo, nice slacks and all he did was laugh and chat away with his customers. He knew some of their names.. but was a stranger to most. But his main purpose in life was to feed people and make sure the process was enjoyable.
I want to be that owner. Where the only thing I do the entire time is to take care of people's needs. If someone is having a bad day.... Free bottle of wine, on the house! If some kids are misbehaving and the parents are extremely stressed out.... free dessert, on the house! If some delivery boy is feeling under appreciated... I'll offer him a job with a bright future. Or at least mentor him and connect him with other friends.
I've been advised too many times... don't ever own a business, cuz you'll never stop working. And furthermore, if you own a business, don't ever own a restaurant cuz it's bound to lose money.
Well dangit.... how am I suppose to live out my dream with all these naysayers?????
Walking through Monterey Fisherman's Wharf the other day, I saw a restaurant owner wearing a nice polo, nice slacks and all he did was laugh and chat away with his customers. He knew some of their names.. but was a stranger to most. But his main purpose in life was to feed people and make sure the process was enjoyable.
I want to be that owner. Where the only thing I do the entire time is to take care of people's needs. If someone is having a bad day.... Free bottle of wine, on the house! If some kids are misbehaving and the parents are extremely stressed out.... free dessert, on the house! If some delivery boy is feeling under appreciated... I'll offer him a job with a bright future. Or at least mentor him and connect him with other friends.
I've been advised too many times... don't ever own a business, cuz you'll never stop working. And furthermore, if you own a business, don't ever own a restaurant cuz it's bound to lose money.
Well dangit.... how am I suppose to live out my dream with all these naysayers?????
Sunday, September 07, 2014
Children's Alpha
Was asked to lead Children's Alpha this year.... and the past few months, I've been dreading this day. Well, the day finally is upon me... and as expected, I did not welcome it with open hands.
I don't know what it is.... but I really can't do Children's Ministry anymore. I use to love kids. I use to want to dedicate my life to them. But when I sit in a room full of kids that are not my own... and they complain... or run off.... or go wild.... I have that unquenchable thirst to discipline them!!
It amazes me how hyper some kids can be. Or how disrespectful they are. Or how impolite they are. Where are their table manners? Where are their social behaviors? Goodness gracious... I sure hope my kids won't cause any teachers the same grief I'm having.
But in the end... I recognize this as an act of obedience. I'm asked to do it... and I will do it. Whether I like it or not, that's another story.
I don't know what it is.... but I really can't do Children's Ministry anymore. I use to love kids. I use to want to dedicate my life to them. But when I sit in a room full of kids that are not my own... and they complain... or run off.... or go wild.... I have that unquenchable thirst to discipline them!!
It amazes me how hyper some kids can be. Or how disrespectful they are. Or how impolite they are. Where are their table manners? Where are their social behaviors? Goodness gracious... I sure hope my kids won't cause any teachers the same grief I'm having.
But in the end... I recognize this as an act of obedience. I'm asked to do it... and I will do it. Whether I like it or not, that's another story.
Sunday, August 24, 2014
Carnival 2014
I'd be remiss if I didn't jot down a few thoughts on today's CS Carnival.
The idea came to me on a Sunday afternoon when I came back from my alma mater's Open House which had a bounce house / slide and facepainting. My kids loved it... so I thought, I should do something my kids love!! The Carnival... despite all the thanks and praises... was actually very self-serving.
One of the best part of my day... was when I had a chance to sit down and speak with an elderly Caucasian couple. They brought their grand-daughter there... was the only non-Asian... and was a little bit out of place. But we were engaged in a fine 15 minute conversation. From parenting... to history of San Jose... to practicing our faith.
Then the other best part of my day... I chatted with their granddaughter and her friend. Her friend was the one who invited them. He was a shy kid... and he burned his feet on the hot pavement. And he didn't want to go back out to play. He simply refused. I wanted to cheer up the boy and give him some encouragement. So we chatted and laughed. I told a few jokes and stories.... but he still didn't want to go. I ended up saying, "Ok buddy... I'll see you out there!!" That wasn't the good part. About an hour later.... I saw him out there and his mom came up to me and said, "I think it was your little talk with him. Thank you."
There were highs and lows, ups and downs.... but finally... one of the best thing that happened, was seeing one of my sister spending almost the entire time welcoming people to our Alpha dinner. Most of the other b&s were either working or having a good time. But Miranda... she was tirelessly handing out flyers.
At the end of the night... she was, "It was a very successful event. We got a lot of people to register for Alpha."
And isn't that what this Carnival event was all about....? Shame on me for being self-serving.
The idea came to me on a Sunday afternoon when I came back from my alma mater's Open House which had a bounce house / slide and facepainting. My kids loved it... so I thought, I should do something my kids love!! The Carnival... despite all the thanks and praises... was actually very self-serving.
One of the best part of my day... was when I had a chance to sit down and speak with an elderly Caucasian couple. They brought their grand-daughter there... was the only non-Asian... and was a little bit out of place. But we were engaged in a fine 15 minute conversation. From parenting... to history of San Jose... to practicing our faith.
Then the other best part of my day... I chatted with their granddaughter and her friend. Her friend was the one who invited them. He was a shy kid... and he burned his feet on the hot pavement. And he didn't want to go back out to play. He simply refused. I wanted to cheer up the boy and give him some encouragement. So we chatted and laughed. I told a few jokes and stories.... but he still didn't want to go. I ended up saying, "Ok buddy... I'll see you out there!!" That wasn't the good part. About an hour later.... I saw him out there and his mom came up to me and said, "I think it was your little talk with him. Thank you."
There were highs and lows, ups and downs.... but finally... one of the best thing that happened, was seeing one of my sister spending almost the entire time welcoming people to our Alpha dinner. Most of the other b&s were either working or having a good time. But Miranda... she was tirelessly handing out flyers.
At the end of the night... she was, "It was a very successful event. We got a lot of people to register for Alpha."
And isn't that what this Carnival event was all about....? Shame on me for being self-serving.
Monday, August 18, 2014
Journaling
During the summer, we've been giving Nui-nui some "homework assignments" while she's home - the days she's not at Summer School.
She practices her addition, subtraction and multiplication. I give her a few Chinese Characters to practice. But the best part about the homework assignment is her journal. Twice a week, I ask her to draw a picture and write 1-2 sentences about that picture.
I look forward to those days when I come home...and flip through her notebook to unveil what is the latest image going through her 5 year old mind.
As the summer comes to a close, I flip back and is astounded!! Almost all her journals are about Happy Moments!! Disneyland, Happy Hallow, Levi's Stadium (WOOT!!), Christmas Eve from last year, going to Mui-mui's birthday party. If I was a clincial psychiatrist, I would say, "You have a happy girl!"
Of note... there are two journal entries that are not happy.
1) An entry where she complained bout doing math... and wanted to do easy math. HA!
2) The second one having to do with me yelling at her... .and she feeling sorry and sad. Awwwww....
I might fail... but I'm going to try hard as heck to keep these journal entries for when she goes off to college.
She practices her addition, subtraction and multiplication. I give her a few Chinese Characters to practice. But the best part about the homework assignment is her journal. Twice a week, I ask her to draw a picture and write 1-2 sentences about that picture.
I look forward to those days when I come home...and flip through her notebook to unveil what is the latest image going through her 5 year old mind.
As the summer comes to a close, I flip back and is astounded!! Almost all her journals are about Happy Moments!! Disneyland, Happy Hallow, Levi's Stadium (WOOT!!), Christmas Eve from last year, going to Mui-mui's birthday party. If I was a clincial psychiatrist, I would say, "You have a happy girl!"
Of note... there are two journal entries that are not happy.
1) An entry where she complained bout doing math... and wanted to do easy math. HA!
2) The second one having to do with me yelling at her... .and she feeling sorry and sad. Awwwww....
I might fail... but I'm going to try hard as heck to keep these journal entries for when she goes off to college.
Sunday, August 03, 2014
Sunday Night Ritual
It's Sunday night... and what do I find myself doing?? I'm going through the fridge, throwing away week (or 2 week old) leftovers. What a waste. America is such a wasteful nation... I feel sick to the stomach just thinking about it, let alone doing it.
The leftover dim sum from last Sunday? TOSS!
The left over veggies from Tuesday...that we've microwaved twice for dinner... GONE!
The mysterious bag of whatever.... SEE YA!!
Not all is lost. I find a few drummettes from Wednesday's dinner. And also from pork from Monday's dinner. They all sat in their down dish... under their own plastic wrap. So I consolidated the few biteful of meat along with Friday's leftover ribs and make a new plate of leftovers.
It's a pure feeling of victory whenever we wipe clean all the food!! Sometimes.... on a Saturday evening, we decide to stay in and we make one of those special "Leung's smorgas bord", throw everything in a pot and add some chicken soup. Voila!! Dinner!!
But those rarely happen... but happens more often.... the Sunday Night Ritual.
The leftover dim sum from last Sunday? TOSS!
The left over veggies from Tuesday...that we've microwaved twice for dinner... GONE!
The mysterious bag of whatever.... SEE YA!!
Not all is lost. I find a few drummettes from Wednesday's dinner. And also from pork from Monday's dinner. They all sat in their down dish... under their own plastic wrap. So I consolidated the few biteful of meat along with Friday's leftover ribs and make a new plate of leftovers.
It's a pure feeling of victory whenever we wipe clean all the food!! Sometimes.... on a Saturday evening, we decide to stay in and we make one of those special "Leung's smorgas bord", throw everything in a pot and add some chicken soup. Voila!! Dinner!!
But those rarely happen... but happens more often.... the Sunday Night Ritual.
Saturday, August 02, 2014
Breasts....
As of late... my son has taken on a new liking. A liking of breasts. Not sure if it's normal though.
He's 3... but he's obsessed with breasts. He plays with mommy's breasts. He plays with daddy's breasts. At Target, we walk by a poster of a woman in a swimsuit and he points and yells, "奶奶!" We pass by Victoria's Secrets and his eyes light up... "奶奶!" But he doesn't discriminate... he says the same things when we walk by Abercrombie. He screams, "奶奶!" when he sees those male models.
I guess there's nothing wrong with it... 90% of the guys I know have an affinity for breasts. The other 10%....they have their own breasts, aka man-boobs.
What gets a little alarming is...when we're praying and say, "in Jesus' name...." instead of "Amen" he says, "奶奶!"
He's 3... but he's obsessed with breasts. He plays with mommy's breasts. He plays with daddy's breasts. At Target, we walk by a poster of a woman in a swimsuit and he points and yells, "奶奶!" We pass by Victoria's Secrets and his eyes light up... "奶奶!" But he doesn't discriminate... he says the same things when we walk by Abercrombie. He screams, "奶奶!" when he sees those male models.
I guess there's nothing wrong with it... 90% of the guys I know have an affinity for breasts. The other 10%....they have their own breasts, aka man-boobs.
What gets a little alarming is...when we're praying and say, "in Jesus' name...." instead of "Amen" he says, "奶奶!"
Friday, July 25, 2014
Levi's Stadium
Realized a childhood dream.... by walking into the 49ers stadium as a season ticket holder.
The stadium... not all that. From the outside it looks more like a factory. Doesn't have the beauty of Pac Bell (AT&T). Doesn't have the skyline dominance like Qwest (Seattle). Doesn't have the sleekness of Lincoln Financial (Philly) or the signature bowl of Candlestick (SF). But hey... it's the new home of the Niners. It's ugly, but it's our ugly.
Now.... I love my daughter. I can honestly say she has me wrapped around her fingers. And there is undoubtedly favoritism. I admit it!! But when it came to approaching the shadows of the fortress... when we were walking up the steps of Levi's Stadium... when we first stared onto the green of the grass.... I couldn't help but want to hold onto my son.
And nothing made me prouder... than to be able to find my season ticket holder seat... Section 321, Row 7, Seat 24.... and sit down for a picture with my dad and my son. Three generations of Leung's... bonded and connected by the mighty 49ers.
The stadium... not all that. From the outside it looks more like a factory. Doesn't have the beauty of Pac Bell (AT&T). Doesn't have the skyline dominance like Qwest (Seattle). Doesn't have the sleekness of Lincoln Financial (Philly) or the signature bowl of Candlestick (SF). But hey... it's the new home of the Niners. It's ugly, but it's our ugly.
Now.... I love my daughter. I can honestly say she has me wrapped around her fingers. And there is undoubtedly favoritism. I admit it!! But when it came to approaching the shadows of the fortress... when we were walking up the steps of Levi's Stadium... when we first stared onto the green of the grass.... I couldn't help but want to hold onto my son.
And nothing made me prouder... than to be able to find my season ticket holder seat... Section 321, Row 7, Seat 24.... and sit down for a picture with my dad and my son. Three generations of Leung's... bonded and connected by the mighty 49ers.
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