Posts tagged Life

2005, the year that was…

Don't Panik

As the year draws to an end, it’s only normal to look back and reflect on the year that was. How time flies! 2 thousand and 5 started with a literal bang and I’m not sure how we ended up here so quickly. It’s an amazing year filled with amazing events. As I look back, I really thank God for all the little (and not so little) blessings. I may not have gotten a nice package or the job I wanted. Neither did they give me the raise I asked for. I didn’t manage to deploy WebAperture’s Photo Blog (it’s officially at the 0.1 milestone already though!) by end August, in fact a lot of to-dos got pushed till 2006. Yet, I think about how rich 2005 has been, I wouldn’t want it any other way.

I thank God for all the wonderful people in my life and how rich they have made it. Even the sorrows. I’ll miss Kenny Lee but he thought me the meaning of living life, not looking back with regrets or to be filled with anguish or hate over what life throws at you but to go on, with dignity and generousity and peace that only God can give.

I thank God for Jeff Wong who managed to snag that Halliburton job – I’ll miss our crazy overnight makan escapes but hey, you did it! I’ll quote your goodbye words here (from a hardcore Tolkien friend obviously) “Well, here my dear friend, comes the end of our fellowship here in Malaysia. I will not say do not weep, for not all tears are evil. We may never meet again, but we always carry a part of each in us.”

Most of all, I thank God for my darling, who’s made my life sing (dance and a couple of somersaults too), for lighting up and putting all the color into my life and be my biggest inspiration. 1 like no 1.

I think about the 365 steps (days) that went by and I treasure them. The many little escapades, the joy shared over a meal, the hurried cleaning and moving, the digging, weeding, and planting, the freezing chill of Harbin, the 5600 frames till now (that’s 15.3 photos per day!), I can’t help but be amazed but that said, let’s get 2006 on the road of life… Happy New Year!

狗年行大运!

On the road of life, take the unfamiliar road…

Merry Christmas to All!

Life

Merry Merry Christmas!
icon_ltgray_open_quoteFor God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. icon_ltgray_close_quote
~ John 3:16

Remembering Craig, 1974-1995

Life

On a cold windy night, 10 years ago, it was a fantastic Christmas dinner at Haiwoondae in Chicago. The red wine went very well with the bulgogi and other excellent korean bbq fare. Maybe a bit too much red wine. At that time, that was the Christmas we were finally legally able to drink! The mercury dipped to 0F (-17C), the convoy of cars made their way on Interstate-90, 130 miles back to Madison, WI. Past Rockford, IL, Craig, who was driving his mom’s Acura Integra GSR took the lead. It was 1:30am, CST. We were tired and wanted the warmth and comfort of our beds. We cruised along at about 80mph (130 km/h). Somewhere past Turtle, WI, snow started falling. A few miles later, there was an intersection with I-90 and everything else I don’t really remember except stopping on the grassy divider. The white Integra seemlingly impaled onto the bridge pillar. The airbags deployed but only God really knows what happened.

Mr and Mrs Craig, 10 years later, I have kept and will keep my promise to you. I will not drink and drive. I remember his plans for Christmas and it turned out miserable for so many of us. All I remember is the shock and the numbness (not from the cold mind you), the sense of helplessness and fragility of life. Even if you don’t care about yourself, there’s a lot of other people who care about you. What about them?

Don’t Drink and Drive

Civic Si

Life

Was having a Y! messenger chat with a friend who happens to work for Honda NA and we’ve been talking cars for 30 minutes. Besides me trying to find out about the 2007 CRV (next major redesign, the 2006 was a facelift), he pointed me over to his new Christmas prezzie, the Civic Si which parks outside (not inside) his packed garage (not with cars but with stuff. his Honda Pilot parks on the roadside!!). Oh, the 2007 CR-V shares the same body as the new Acura RD-X (why RD-X I’m not sure but someone told me it’s a very explosive substance in the military – not a very good name for a luxury SUV I think)

Only US$19K!!!