Writing an essay...

Nui nui has her SSAT's on Saturday.  On top of math and verbal...there is an essay portion.  So I spent the night coaching NN on how to write an essay... how to generate a topic sentence.  How to create an outline.  And after an outline... you can, as someone puts it... you "paint with words."

There are so many ways of writing an essay.. generating a topic... citing examples.  And NN simply has not experienced life to write a full blown essay.

Jogs back memory of 6th grade...when I once wrote "Who I love most."  I wrote... the people I love most is God and Mary. It was from my heart.  It was a true answer. The teacher read my essay publicly....anonomously.  Afterwards... my classmates came up to me and asked if it was my essay.  I didn't think anything of it and answered, "Yes." I was immediately accused of being a suck-up.  I wasn't ready for that response.  Why would anyone question my true values???

I don't want to stop NN from expressing herself.  To show her true colors.  But is that limiting her in the real world?

Henry Leung 嘅本色

I arrived 10 minutes late to Prayer Meeting... and of course, they didn't start yet.  Upon arrival... PAL shoots off, "遲咗十分鐘。 唔似Henry Leung 嘅本色喎."

你看鳴！ 疾我！?

"Could we visit please?"

Received an email from the school principal asking Joyce and I to go in and see her.  Our dearest NN was in trouble and we were summoned.  I can't believe we are now "those parents." What to do? What to say? I have no clue.... God... please help.

過年

Me: 點呀？ 新年做咗咩？

Parent at school: 團年喺屋企打邊爐。

Me: 啞... 殺菌。

Parent at school: 初一我哋去咗 Danville 食西餐. 你呢？

Me: 我哋去咗 Gilroy 避年。 冇乜中國人啞嘛. 

Parent at school: 醒目.

草木皆兵

The Wuhan Coronavirus has taken the world by storm.  To a point where I asked Dad if we should still have our New Year's Dinner at a Chinese Buffet (full of Chinese ppl...and a not-so-clean environment).  His response was...  沒有關係， 不要草木皆兵.  So much wisdom... in 10 simple words.

Today... PAL asked us what we should do about CNY.  I apty replied... 草木皆兵.  HA!!!

Then I went off.... saying, in times of uncertainty and fear... the church needs to stand strong and be the light.  He didn't buy it.  He cancelled CNY.  I don't blame him.  That's the wise thing to do.

Oh btw... Dad ended up cancelling our dinner.  Pssssh.... all talk and nothing to back it up.  Weak sauce!!!

"I expected more...."

In 7th grade... our assignment was to write what happened to Ralph and Jack after the "Lord of the Flies."  I wrote about a paragraphs's worth....where Ralph became a General and Jack became a thief.  I got a "D" for that assignment with the comments, "I expected more from you." I was so ashamed.  Never got a D in my life.

I think back and realize.... I should have contested.  "Dude!!! You didn't give any guidelines!! I could've written a book had you asked!!!!"

Flash forward... I see a homework assignment for NN where she answered a question half-assed.  Her teacher gave her a similar comment, "You seem to have been in a hurry.  It's OK to have homework."

I didn't yell at NN.  I reflected on my incident umpteenth years ago and told NN.... you can do better.  It was a very quiet ride to school that morning.  Halfway through the ride... I told her to pull out her homework and re-write the answer.  You won't get any higher grade, but it's the right thing to do.  She started balling.... saying, "I'm under a lot of stress."  I didn't care.  It's the right thing to do.

After dropping her off.... I had to pull over and think.  "What did I just do?!?!?"  I didn't have an answer.

That night.... as I was putting her to bed.... she whispered, "Mrs. McKee won't change my grade, but she said thank you."  I hope she (and I) learned a lesson.

Two Popes

Finally watched the movie "The Two Popes" on Netflix - about the passing of the Papacy from Benedict XVI to Francis.  I'll say it again... once a Catholic, always a Catholic.  In spite of many differences with theology, we all love God and believe in Jesus Christ as our Savior. 

Not sure how much "Hollywood" was put into the movie... in humanizing the infallible bishop of Rome, or canonizing the cardinal bishop of Buenos Aires. Not once (I don't think) did they bring up the Virgin Mary... but in too many instances... they brought up the sex scandal, to where I found myself crying uncontrollably again. 

Two styles.  Two factions.  Two continents.  Two stories.  One God.  One church.  It all comes together.  And bless the director of the movie... as much as I find personal connection with the name Francis as my own patron saint... the director goes on great lengths to expose Pope Francis' love for football or futbol to be more exact.

And with that... my Niners are onto the Super Bowl as 1.5 points Dawgs.  Is this for real?!?!?  I don't think I can relieve 2013 all over again.  Please God... let this be the year.  And if my prayer is any thing like Prayer Meeting last week... no one will say "Amen." 

Good Samaritan

While exiting 17...  a car broke down and was causing traffic. Eventually made it to the culprit and it was a young couple. The wife was on the phone and the husband (like 90% of men) got out, popped the hood and pretended to know what to do by touching “this or that.” Heh. Was about to drive off when I remembered how a stranger helped BBDD when his car broke down. So I got out... Stopped traffic... and with the husband, pushed their SUV off the freeway offramp, across Hamilton and into a gas station.  The couple was so relieved. I said “Have a good day.”

Yes, I was late to lunch. But both kids were so happy hearing the story. Nn even said, “I want to grow up to be like Bah B.” I hope they grow up and be much more than me.

This generation

Read an article about the pending split of the Methodist church over the topic of same sex marriage and openly gay clergy.  The article points back to a split of the church back when slavery was the hot topic of discussion.  So sad.  My heart hurts so much.

Then I read an article about President Trump pushing for prayer in public schools - citing the protection of the 1st amendment.  I may disagree with a lot of his policies... his character... his ploy... but I do applaud him for some of the things he does. 

In times of storm and floods, God still reigns. 

Bang! Bang! Niner Gang

Bang! Bang! Niner Gang. 

Is this our year??  Went to my first ever Niner Playoff game against the Vikes.  Arrived on-time and it was eerie walking up Tasman.  Not a soul to be seen, not even the scalpers.  Turns out... everyone was in their seats already.  A sea of red with sprinkles of purple.  Amazing.

Last week... the team I thought had the most talent... were eliminated by the Vikes.
Last night... the team I feared most... the much loathed Ravens were eliminated by the 6th seed.
Tonight... the much hated Seahawks, who has our numbers, were finally outsed.  Good riddance... I never want to see DangeRuss Wilson in the 4th quarter no matter how big our lead. 

The Packers come back to Levi's after a trouncing earlier in the season.  All the experts say we have a more talented team... but on any given Sunday... (or Saturday, in this case), anything can happen.

But I'm really starting to think... this is our year???  Can this finally be happening???  Will I be talking myself out of a trip to Miami????  Do I pray about this..............????

SSAT

Finally sat down with NN to take a practice SSAT test... not even a practice test... just some sample questions.  For math...she only got 5 out of 10.  Not disappointed, but still, disappointed.

I was pacing back and forth... sneaking a peek here and there.  To a point where she kicked me out of my room.  The test is hard!!! Of course... some emotional outbursts here and there, resulting me in today, going to the library and finding some books (what's left of them).