HAVE YOU MISSED ME YET?

I thought of giving the title "TOTA is Back from the Wonderland" to this entry as I have not updated this silly boring blog of mine since "Alice in the Wonderland" entry almost 10 days ago. I decided on "Have you Missed me Yet?" because I believed the title might be more fitting to how a lot of people in this country are feeling right now. I have no excuses for not blogging. I hope my adoring fans will forgive me. Just like my mother would have commented that since I did not have children, no pets, plus I don't cook, it sure does not take much time to clean my little humble poor house, I should have plenty of free time. There are only two people in the house, how much chores could possibly be that would keep me busy. Instead, I wasted so much time watching hockey games, planning for our next trip on Route 66 to Arizona and staring at the wall while the world passing by!
The truth is I did not feel like blogging. I just could not come up with anything clever to write. The fact is I could not think of anything worthy to share, not even cheesy photos, not something that could be silly, or remotely humor, I just was not in the mood. These photos taken last year of the rabbit resting in the cool shade on a hot summer day, not a care in the world, not moving its little ears even when I came very close. That was exactly how I felt, just being in suspended state of doing nothing, just floating around in the universe, without purpose or meanings of what tomorrow should become. Well, I did take care of a few things. Last weekend, I "floated" to the mall to drop off six special occassions dresses to the Metro St. Louis Cinderella Project - Prom Dresses with a Purpose. This is the 2nd year of the program collecting donations of new or gently used dresses to be distributed to high school young women of financial limitations. One of the dresses was a nice hunter green dress that I wore to my brother's wedding more than 10 years ago. I think I wore it again at a niece wedding and to a few Christmas parties. There were two little black dresses I last wore more than 20 years ago. A red dress I wore to a formal dinner on our Alaskan cruise almost 7 years ago. The rich color dress is no longer appropriate for my age. I gladly handed the dresses to the lady at the collection desk. I hope some young ladies would find the dresses to their liking.

It was a busy week with a few evening activities. Wednesday night was work-related and I spent Thursday evening at a Visioning Session to provide comments on land use changes, infrastructure improvements and economic development strategies along the corridor of the main road. Everyone agreed that we need to improve traffic control, enhance the roadway, making the road safer for pedestrians and a need for designated bicycle paths. After the meeting, for some reasons I was not able to get some rest that night. I probably had about 3 or 4 hours of sleep the most. Friday night was not any better and by Saturday afternoon I was so tired that I went to bed at around 2 pm and did not get up until Sunday morning, just in time for noon Mass!

ALICE IN WONDERLAND

I took these photos when we stayed overnight in Carthage, Missouri on our way back to St. Louis from our Route 66 Adventure heading eastbound from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The statue, Alice in Wonderland, stood in the E.L. Dale Memorial Library Gardens at the Carthage Public Library. Artist Bill Snow created this sculpture. These photos come in handy for today's post as the movie "Alice in Wonderland" opens in theatre. Nothing personal, I just never care for Johnny Depp as an actor and I never saw any of his movies from the beginning to ending. The movies were either too weird or just boring. I was never impressed with his acting and thought much of the success in Depp's career was built up by luck and having a good agent. And that is only my humble opinion!

CENTRAL PARK IN CHESTERFIELD, MISSOURI

This post featuring photos of Central Park in Chesterfield, Missouri, will conclude the "Central Park Series". I just learned from another blogger that there is a Central Park in Tulsa, Oklahoma. We must have missed it when we were there last October. There was a lot of road construction around Tulsa, and we decided not to spend the night there, instead continued on to Oklahoma City.

According to the City of Chesterfield website, "This 38 acre park, which is being developed in stages, consists of the Chesterfield Family Aquatic Center featuring a 25-yard competitive pool; a leisure pool with slides and a children's play structure; splash playground; a lazy river; and two flume slides. A playground containing play components for ages 2-5, another component for children 5-12, swing sets, benches, picnic tables, and funbrellas. The Pavilion is also available for rent. Future Improvements include a 7.5 acre lake, bridges, trails and amphitheater."

CENTRAL PARK IN CARTHAGE, MISSOURI

This is Central Park in Carthage, Missouri. According to the visitor guide, this park, landscaped in 1894, features a 1930s wading pool and bathouse, a Victorian-era fountain, bandstand, playground and plenty of space for picnicking (I just realize that a "k" would be added to the word "picnic" when the word is "picnicking"). There is a memorial honoring the 1,412 of Missouri's fallen Viet Nam veterans created by the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
The above statue of Carthage native son and the famous zoologist/television personality Marlin Perkins is placed in Central Park. The sculpture was created by artists Bob Tommey and Bill Snow. The original Central Park was burial site for Battle of Carthage casualties, but in 1871 it was re-developed for a park and the remains were re-buried elsewhere.


Of course, the above photo features the "beautiful" T-bird which I called "my husband's mistress" or "a chunk of metal"!

CENTRAL PARK IN GRAND HAVEN, MICHIGAN

These photos were taken last August when we went back to Grand Haven for the Coast Guard Festival. We got confirmation that Dan Bylsma (head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins and the 2009 Stanley Cup Championship team) was going to be in the parade, we just packed our bags, drove 8+ hours on Thursday so we could attend the parade on Saturday morning and to say "Hi" to Goober! (Dan Bylsma is a native son of Grand Haven and my husband used to play on the softball team with his family.)
What you see in these photos is all there is of the 4 acres of Central Park in the center of downtown Grand Haven, Michigan, very small compared to the Central Park in New York City. Grand Haven also has a community theatre group named Central Park Players. I was involved with the group for a few years working back-stage, ushering and serving refreshment during intermissions. I even dressed up as a nun when we presented the "Nunsense" production.

RUNNING IN THE SNOW - MAURA, JACK AND JILL

This post, Running in the Snow, will conclude the "In the Snow Activities" series. "Maura" is the title of the sculpture below by artist Don Wiegand (1998). I could not remember the name of the artist who created the sculpture of a boy and a girl (bottom photo) so the name "Jack & Jill" will have to be for now. Two years ago, I read an article in the local newspaper that someone "stole" the boy and he was never found. The artist was able to create a replacement. I wonder how the crime was committed without any witness since the sculpture was placed in front of a community center. And how did the thief detach the boy from the girl? Hopefully Jack & Jill will always be together from now on, holding hands and running, in all kind of weather!

OH MY FAVORITE COUSIN, CAN YOU SEE MY BROTHER?

Congratulations to Team USA on a great game and a strong finish to earn the Silver Medal for America. Congratulations to Team Canada on a well-earned Gold Medal - we are proud of your performance. Goalie Ryan Miller was spectacular and definitely earned the respect and worthy of the MVP award. It was a treat to watch the game, down to last second (.24 to be exact) when Team USA tied the game. Congratulations to both Team USA and Team Canada - it was a world class game. For me, when it comes to hockey, Team Canada is always my favorite cousin!

I am so excited and also will be so nervous (Oh, the intensity, the emotion, the pressure, and all the joy) watching Team USA v. Team Canada face-off for the gold medal in men's ice hockey. Here we go again, a wresting match between my brother and my favorite cousin. Last Friday, after Stations of the Cross, a friend invited us to lunch on Sunday. I told her that we couldn't because "The Game" takes place at 2 pm. As we were driving home, my husband said that I should lie about having a commitment instead of hurting the friend's feelings. CP said no one likes to play second fiddle to a hockey game. I told CP that I would have to go to confession if I said what he suggested, telling a lie to a friend in church and during Lent! I don't wish to hurt anyone feelings and my friend would understand since she knew how much I love hockey. I am sure all the angels and all the saints, (even God) in heaven would be watching "The Game" too!

NEW YORK IS ON MY MIND - A FEW NICE PHOTOS OF CENTRAL PARK

I called my Mom yesterday afternoon to see how everyone was doing. Mom told me that there was no school for my nephew and my brother was able to work from home. There would be no reason for being outside except to clean up the snow on the sidewalk. I am sure my sister, CH is so glad that she is so far from New York City. CH left on Monday to spend two weeks in the Carribean. I told Mom we have had nice weather here in St. Louis, sunny and the temperature in the 40s.

Here are a few nice photos I took from our trip to NYC in 2007. I never really explored Central Park during the years I was there. I had fond memories of being a volunteer for a few years helping out the runners at the end of the Marathon. The name Central Park seems to be a good name because I know three other parks that also named Central Park. Do you have a Central Park in your town?

SITTING (READING) IN THE SNOW

Here are two more sculptures sitting (reading) in the snow. Above artwork of a boy and a girl sitting on a bench reading a book is installed in front of an elementary school near our subdivision. I hope you like the close-up photo below. The yellow sculpture in the bottom photo is from the office building on Olive Boulevard. A nice blog I visit regularly is New York in Photographs at www.nycinphotographs.blogspot.com, check it out and you might like it too.

WALKING IN THE WINTER WONDERLAND

My very own "treasure hunt" of public sculptures started last year when more than 20 life-size sculptures by the American artist J. Seward Johnson were on displayed throughout the City of Chesterfield in anticipation for the permanent installation of the Awakening. I also began to search for all other sculptures listed in the website of Chesterfield Arts. I enjoyed the outdoor Laumeier Sculpture Park but only saw half of the displays. I plan to go back to the park to see all the other pieces. Since then I look for sculptures wherever I happen to be. The sculpture below of five children crossing the creek on a tree log is on display at the entrance to the park in Manchester. We spotted the next two sculptures in front of an office building on Olive Boulevard, about 1.5 miles from I-270. What also makes the treasure hunt so much fun is being able to share what I found with my adoring fans. And that makes me very happy :)

FROZEN SMILING FACE - HUMOR OF THE WEEK

After posting two "Deep Thoughts" entries, I thought I should lighten my blog with these photos. I enjoy seeing the "face" each morning on my way to work. Whoever painted the "smiling face" on this tree, thank you for creating a little humor to start my day. The close-up photo above with the icicle hanging on the left makes the face looks like it was drooling. If you enjoy this face, check out a really cute blog, http://www.facesinplaces.blogspot.com/. "Faces in Place" is one of my daily must-see blogs.

MORE DEEP THOUGHTS - BE ANXIOUS OVER NOTHING

I see the above sign on my way to work, "To be Anxious over Nothing, Pray over Everything". This is not my parish and I could not tell you what this Taiwanese Presbyterian Church of Greater St. Louis looks inside. I am sure it is beautiful and anyone is welcome to worship there. I am not sure if the service is entirely in Taiwanese or with some English.

Early last year, my husband was among the workforce reduction (a nicer term for unemployed people who were laid-off by the company) for about six months. I tried to be encouraging and told my husband that I understood how hard it would be for someone who has over 25 years of experience in design and pre-production engineering quality controlled to find suitable employment. Potential employers would say that CP was over-qualified and that he would not stay long even if he was willing to accept cut-back on salary. We discussed and agreed that we did not wish to move, so re-location was not part of the game plan.

I also told CP not to worry even if I lost my job because so many people that were (are) in worse situation. We are not the only one suffering. Almost everyone in the country has been negatively impacted. I feel sorry for family with small children and only one parent working. With a few dollars saved, we should be able to weather the storm. I thought if we both were unemployed, even with limited budget, it would be an opportunity to enjoy our lives by travelling around the country. I tried to remember that when something bad happened, it might be a blessing because we never knew what would be waiting for us at the end of the road. If the Communists did not take over Sai Gon, if we did not get on that boat to escape from Viet Nam, we would never find freedom and liberty. If we did not live in the refugee camp, we would not appreciate all the blessings being in America. Whatever happens, nothing could compare to the boat journey, the refugee camp, the barriers we overcame the first few years in America.

After six months, CP went back to work on temporary assignments. It was anxious time because he was only informed each Thursday whether he would be working the following week. The company finally asked CP to work full time starting in mid-November. Fortunately, he would also have all his vacation and benefits back.

Whether you are a non-believer or a person of strong faith, I wish you peace and strength and I hope you will find a way to get over this difficult time.

A very strong wind came up on the lake. The waves came over the sides and into the boat so that is was already full of water. Jesus stood up and commanded the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind stopped and it became completely calm. Jesus said to his followers, "Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?" Mark 4:37-40.

IS THAT QAPTAIN QWERTY BIKE RIDING IN THE SNOW?

These photos were taken with Qaptain Qwerty in mind.

Here you see the Qaptain riding his bike in the snow.

Here you don't. Where did Qaptain Qwerty go? He must be back to New York, just in time for dinner at Pho Tay Ho ** Heh Heh **

CONGRATULATIONS TO TEAM USA

Congratulations to Team USA for a great game 4-3 over Team Canada. Brian Rafalski (Detroit Red Wings) scored twice. Watching the hockey game between team USA and team Canada made me feeling like watching a wrestling match between my brother and a favorite cousin. I was happy that team USA won but it would not be too bad if team Canada won. As long as it was a good game, may the better team win :)

Three of the St. Louis Blues players are on the Olympics rosters with Eric Johnson #6 and David Backes #42 representing USA and Roman Polak #46 is on team Czech Republic.

DEEP THOUGHTS (WHAT ON EARTH AM I HERE FOR?)

I saw the above sign, "40 Days of Purpose" with the question, "What on earth am I here for?", while walking around Cayman Islands. I was there in March 2006 and the question was posted as a call to real conversion and spiritual renewal during Lenten Season at Elmslie Memorial United Church (Presbyterian/ Congregational/Disciples), Established 1846. I found that it was ironic to see this sign here in Cayman Islands, a place well-known for offshore accounts, money laundering, tax havens for individuals who don't believe in paying taxes. I wonder how many people, mostly tourists who walked around the Islands seeking pleasure and sinful gratifications, would even notice the sign. Those who saw the sign, myself included, would anyone even take the time to reflect on the answer to such question? Days after days, we get up in the morning, going thru the routines to get ready getting to our workplaces. Do you look around at the people you work with and what's on your desk/computer, and ask "Is there something more?"? At the end of the day, when you leave the office, after wasted 8+ hours of your life, is there peace in your heart or a sense of fulfillment that your work has created some good? Is there a higher good or a calling to serve others? So many times when I sat in meetings, listening to the discussions, I wanted to ask the questions, "Is that all you people care about, making more money, how to get what you want and the hell with everyone else? How do you justify the company paying a few hundred dollars on a round of golf for a few directors and then taking away someone wages, who really needed the money to feed his family, just to save a few dollars? YOU LIED! Sure, you talk about CEOs who received big bonus and called them greedy, you yourself are as greedy when you gave yourself year-end bonus and then slashed the employee's salary by 25%. YOU LIED! Is the only way you feel better about yourself by degrading others and constantly making demeaning comments?"

I have been asking myself these questions, "Do you do work that is meaningful, work that has a purpose, work that bring comfort and care to others, work that bring greater good to society? Do you worry about your investment more than losing your soul to the devils? How big are your suitcases to pack all your earthly possessions when the time come?" I actually know the answers but I don't want to admit that I knew what I should do. Just like the rich man who heard what Jesus says, "If you want to be perfect, then go and sell your possessions and give the money to the poor. If you do this, you will have treasure in heaven. Then come and follow me.", but the rich man could not give up his wealth. "Amen, I say to you that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God" Matthew 19:21-23.

Would you like to share your answers to the question, "What on earth am I here for?"?

COLD HEAD, COLD SHOULDERS AND A HANDFUL OF SNOW

I passed by this sculpture on the way to work but finally remembered to take the above photo last Sunday. A handful of snow but not enough to make a snowman!

I know you don't want to see any more winter pictures and I promised I would not post another snowy photo. I could not resist taking these snapshots of the snow on the eagle in front of our house. The eagle was the first item my husband bought after he purchased his first home in Michigan. It was placed in front of our house in Grand Haven and now the eagle is guarding our home here in St. Louis. Well, except when its shoulders are covered with snow and it has a cold head!

YOU ARE ALWAYS NEAR - IN MEMORY OF MY DAD

(Angels at St. Peter's Basilica.) Looking at the first photo, I thought it must be what the Gate to Heaven looks like with the angels ready to open the doors for those who were blessed to enter. Not sure what the angels in the bottom photo were doing, probably just playing and being happy (were there any sad angels?)I was in New York last April when my Mom had her operation. I came in the day before the surgery. The next morning, we (my sister, CH, brother, VL and I) went with Mom to the hospital. After all the paperwork and waiting for hours, Mom was taken into the operation room around 3:30 p.m. CH and I walked around the neighborhood of Memonnide Hospital to get a late lunch. Later, I suggested that CH and VL should go home and I would remain in the waiting area. Around 7:20 p.m. the surgeon came in and informed me that the operation went well and Mom was resting comfortably in her room. He suggested that I would see Mom in the morning. VL picked me up from the hospital and we got dinner from Tay Ho Vietnamese restaurant. It was almost 11:00 p.m. when I finally went to bed. I was exhausted but somehow could not fall asleep. As I was lying in bed, my eyes were wide open, the clock on the table showing 1:30 a.m., trying but unable to sleep, I became so frustrated and said outloud, "I need to get some rest so I could see Mom early tomorrow morning." Suddenly I felt a warm embrace as if I was being hugged. Then I saw my Dad, his face right next to me, smiling and I fell asleep instantly.
I woke up the next morning feeling rested as if I had a full night of sleep. Perhaps my mind played tricks on me since I was emotionally and physically tired being in the waiting room. Perhaps I was already sleeping and it was all a dream. Or it was because I wanted to believe that my Dad was still living and that he was always near. Just for that moment, I could feel my Dad's arms around me. It was so real, it really was real and my Dad was with me. Thanks for the hug, Dad, I love you.

WARM THOUGHTS (NOT ANOTHER POST OF WINTER PHOTOS)

PS: During the bus tour, the guide mentioned that one of the houses (above photo) belonged to Mick Jagger. I could not explain to others why I was laughing. I thought it would be funny if Mick saw me from his front porch and said, "Did I just see you in St. Louis and then at the Superbowl? And now three weeks later, here you are following me to Jamaica. What do you want from me?". After all, it is a small world.
I just remember that I should post sunny, warm photos from my trip to the Caribbean instead of the snow blanket covering my backyard. The readers must be tired of seeing the snow and the cold weather, who wants to see more winter photos on the blogs when we've already seen enough just looking out the window? Looking at the photo below, image the cool water (in Ocho Rios, Jamaica) rushing gently thru your toes and the sun shined warmly on your face while you put on a second pair of socks, hopefully the thoughts would keep your feet toasty warm while you walked in the snow!