Heaven and Earth - Bronz Sculpture by Tuan, a well-known Vietnamese artist (read more about Tuan at www.visionsfineart.com). This sculpture is on display in the lobby at Greenwood Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York.
Today, February 13th, is the 10th anniversary of my Dad’s passing. After Mass, we spent time in the Eucharistic Adoration Chapel to light a candle in Dad’s memory and in prayers. It has been 10 years, yet I still remember the time when my brother called (Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2001) informed me that Dad has reached the end of his life.
I took the next available flight to New York. I held Dad’s hands, kept watch while he struggled with each breath and praying for a miracle that never happened. After two years of chemotherapy, the treatment for liver cancer did not produce results we had hoped for and we had to accept that it was time to say goodbye. On February 10th, Dad closed his eyes and was no longer able to verbally communicate. I continued to hold on to the fading hope with each response when Dad squeezed my hand or a weak smile when Mom was there. Dad passed away in the evening of February 13th.
I don't want to remember the time we were together in hospice, I rather remember the good times we as father and daughter going to soccer and basketball games. The funny story how Dad protected me as the fans rushed into the stadium for a sold-out game. I want to honor my Dad for the life he lived, for the courage he showed when he held our family together through all the rough years, how he helped other people on the boat journey, for the lessons he taught us by living a life of integrity and great characters and his love as a husband and a father. And that is how I will always remember my Dad.
These photos were taken last November when we visited Dad’s final resting place at Greenwood Cemetery. In my heart, I know Dad is always near, wherever I am.
These photos were taken during our Route 66 Adventure in June 2010. It was a two-day road trip, from St. Louis to the beginning of Route 66 in Chicago with an overnight in Romeoville, Illinois. According to the calendar, Saturday, February 12th is President Abraham Lincoln’s birthday. I thought these photos would go nicely with this entry. A (very belated) Happy Birthday, Mr. President!
The temperature continued to get warmer, in the upper 40s. After breakfast, while my husband went to get his beloved Mustang washed (it had to be touch less, brushless, with the interior cleaning and vacuuming), I gave the house a good cleaning. (I don’t do windows, that is CP’s department). 
After all the hard work, I decided to take a nap in the afternoon. I wanted to make sure that I have the energy to help out again at the dance (Felice Cuores), a monthly party for adults with mental challenge. I got to the hall at around 6:00 p.m. to help set up the tables and chairs. After that, I signed up to serve refreshment (soda, water and munchies). This time I came prepared with a can opener and did not break any nails – haa haa
Each guest was given a nametag with their first name and a registered number. I saw one guest had #156 on her tag. The place was crowded since this month’s theme was Valentine’s Day celebration. Many came dressed up in their formal attire and had a great time dancing. I could hardly keep up between the music when almost everyone needed a cold drink. I wore plastic glove to dig up the cans from the bottom yet my fingers were freezing! I came home around 9:15 p.m. - exhausted but thankful for the opportunity to be of service. 
Benjamin was very happy (but speechless) when he got to meet the President!
These photos of the courthouse were taken after we attended Fete de Glace in historic downtown St. Charles way back on January 29th. It seemed so long ago because it was the last outdoor activity before the monster storm that paralyzed the area the first few days of February. Then I was sort-of sick for three days earlier this week. Therefore, I have to go “dumpster diving” since I did not take any photos the last 2 weeks.
Friday, February 11th – It was a beautiful sunny day today. Around town, the lines at the car wash were extended around the corner. I debated whether I should even try to get my car washed since it would get dirty quickly because there were puddles all over the roads from the melted snow. I decided to take care of a few errands in the morning. I picked up the contact lenses that were ordered three weeks ago. In the afternoon, I met with a volunteer coordinator at a local hospital for an interview to assist in their hospice program. Previously I completed the training in 2003 (I had to quit when I broke my foot in 2004), I might have to take refresher courses which I am willing to do.
At around 5:30 p.m. when most of the people either already got their cars washed or rushing home to get ready for dinner, I found a brushless, touch less place that offered free vacuuming. It felt good to drive in a sparkling cleaned car!
Do I really need this Ambient Temperature telling me that it is freezing cold outside? Perhaps I could learn to change the temperature from Fahrenheit to Celsius by the time Qaptain Qwerty gets here in April. After driving the same car the last 8 years, I have to learn all the "bells and whistles" the new car has. There are many features that might not be important to me as I only need a vehicle that would take me to work and home. Unlike my husband who has to drive a cool car, I just need something practical like front wheel drive and safety rating. I do like the look of this instrument cluster. I just hope that I will not see any of the warning lights anytime soon!
Today, (Tuesday, Feb. 8th), I continued to feel iffy all day. At work my concentration was at all time low (not that it was ever high to begin with). I tried to do the work but my body (especially my brain) was not cooperating. As soon as the clock turned 5:00 p.m., I was more than ready to call it quit. Again, as soon as I got home, I went straight to bed without eating dinner. I don’t know if this freezing weather finally got to me.
Where I work, employees are entitled to 5 paid sick days per calendar year. There was one person in my department, in the last 10 years, consistently used up all 5 sick days each year. Except the time when I was hospitalized overnight due to blood clots (a result of inactivity from a broken left foot), I rarely had the need to use the sick days. Even though I am a salary employee and once a month working until 9:30 p.m. attending Board of Directors meetings or membership dinner meetings, I tried to make up the time (coming in early, staying late or taking work home) whenever I was off a few hours for doctor’s appointment. Back in 1979, I was sick for almost 2 months and almost died when we lived in the refugee camp, so you could say that I had my full share of being sick!
So, TOTA, what does this ice sculpture Tinker Bell have to do with you being sick? There is no connection. But if I was Tinker Bell and lived in Neverland, I would not be sick nor have to get a job. But then again, there would not be hockey nor football in Neverland and I would not have any real purpose in life!
Here I am again – a few days late and a few thousand dollars short!
February 6th was Super Bowl Sunday and I was one of the 106.5 million viewers (I thought it would be higher than that – how could anyone not watch The Game?) glued to their television sets (had to be HD and no less than 46” screen). According to Fox Sports, SB XLV was the most watched TV event in U.S. history.
Of course, watching the game was just a (small) part of the excitement. It was an excuse for us to go off our diet, again! My husband and I have been going back (again!) to eating breakfast (CP with his delicious oatmeal and toast with no butter for me) a light lunch, and salad for dinner. (I am running out of creative ideas to make the salad more appealing!) On the weekends, we would treat ourselves to a hearty breakfast (cooking breakfast with TOTA) and a nice small portion dinner. We have a long way to go. So far we both reduced only 4% of the total body weight. One day at a time, one salad bowl for a chubby woman! 
By now everyone knew that Qaptain Qwerty is a sore loser because he picked the Pittsburgh Steelers to win the SB. I thought the Steelers would win but I secretly picked the Green Bay Packers to win 24-21 (I predicted the game came down to a field goal). I am sure no one expected Big Ben to throw the interceptions. When the Steelers successfully got the 2-point conversion, I thought they would come back and win the game. I must say that the Packers put on a good show and they deserved to win. Congratulations Aaron Rodgers! Would you now put on your cheese head?
Since I don’t have any photos of the game (I am glad I was not one of the people who could not get into the seats that they paid good money for) and I did not want to use the same cheesy photos from the SB XL in 2006, so I thought this ice sculpture would go nicely with the theme, “Last man standing” or “Last penguin melting”. There could only be one winner and the Packers were the Champions.
OK, what about a few thousand dollars short? I got a new vehicle, a 2010 Mazda6. The dealership offered a good deal to make room for the 2011 models. I made a 15% down payment and financed the balance. After paying taxes, with only a few dollars left in the bank account, I have no choice but eating salad since we could only afford a bag of lettuce and maybe some baby carrots!
Here is to all my adoring fans, faithful and regular readers and all visitors - Chuc Mung Nam Moi or Kung Hey Fat Choi. Wishing you and your family many years of love, good health, happiness, peace and prosperity (or whatever you would rather have on your bucket list.)According to a website, www.chiff.com, "The Lunar New Year dates from 2600 BC, when the Emperor Huang Ti introduced the first cycle of the Chinese zodiac. Because of cyclical lunar dating, the first day of the year can fall anywhere between late January and the middle of February. On the Chinese calendar, 2011 is Lunar Year 4709. (No wonder I feel so old because in the year of 2011 I turned 50 = Lunar Year of 4709, then I must be about 117 years old.)
On the Western calendar, the start of the New Year falls on Thursday, February 3, 2011 — The Year of the Rabbit."
(Master carver Hamamura at work creating his master piece "Phoenix").
I am so envious of LG right now. He must be enjoying the sunny warm weather on the beach in Florida while we are freezing our buns here. The severe weather hit us hard across the Midwest. Missouri governor declared state of emergency and activated the National Guard in preparation for the severe winter storm that was expected to move into the region on Monday. The Guard would be assisting local communities and providing resources for dealing with possible treacherous road conditions and widespread power outages.
Sunday, January 30th – After the noon Mass, we went to the local grocery store to get milk and fresh fruit. The parking lot was 95% full and people were coming out of the store with shopping carts that filled to the max. The forecast called for freezing rain, sleet and could be up to a foot of snow. Bread, milk, and melting salt were the hot items. I was so glad that we already did our shopping on Saturday. I was the only person walking around the store with a smile on my face (everyone else was so tense) while directing traffic (I sort of alert shoppers to watch out for little kids) and so people don’t trample on each other with their carts or fighting over who had their hand on the raisin bread first.
When we saw friends from church, a quickly hello and everyone kept walking since it was no time to chit chat, got to stock up and gear up for what the media labeled as “monster winter storm”. By Monday evening, the freezing drizzle made the roads very slicky and I was so relieved when CP got home safely. I was so concern that the weight of the ice and snow could down trees and power lines. Everyone kept talking about the storm in 2006 when we were not prepared and thousands of St. Lousians were without electricity for more than a week. The storm turned out to be not as severe as predicted. It is always good when the weather people were wrong - haa haa
My office closed at noon on Monday, Jan. 31st and I did not go to work the next day. CP’s company closed also at noon on Tuesday, Feb. 1st. Both offices will be closed today, Wednesday, Feb. 2nd. I was looking forward to this week of celebrations, my birthday, Lunar New Year on Thursday, Feb. 3rd and then the Super Bowl on Sunday, Feb. 6th. Well, nothing was going to stop me from having fun on my 50th birthday and fun we shall have! Check back often for photos and my wild party at the Seniors Center - haa haa
I noticed that this Graceful & Beauty sculpture drew a lot of attention from the crowd and overwhelming from the male population! Look at the old man on the right and the guy in the red jacket with a white hat (neither was my husband - CP knew better that you should not display your "sinful desire" in public, especially when your short chubby old wife was standing next to you!).
I wish I was there early to watch the master carvers worked creating such delicate details such as the rose edged inside and all the correct anatomy (measurement) of such beautiful body!
I immediately thought of the Lone Gunman aka Salabencher when I saw this alligator. No, I didn't imply that LG shed crocodile tears! Let me explain, please. It was because I usually associate alligators with Florida and LG lives in Florida. Also, I am sure LG could tell more about the reptile from all the years reading National Geographic than my useless knowledge about hockey and football!
LG - this croc is for you!
Heaven and Earth - Bronz Sculpture by Tuan, a well-known Vietnamese artist (read more about Tuan at www.visionsfineart.com). This sculpture is on display in the lobby at Greenwood Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York.
Today, February 13th, is the 10th anniversary of my Dad’s passing. After Mass, we spent time in the Eucharistic Adoration Chapel to light a candle in Dad’s memory and in prayers. It has been 10 years, yet I still remember the time when my brother called (Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2001) informed me that Dad has reached the end of his life.
I took the next available flight to New York. I held Dad’s hands, kept watch while he struggled with each breath and praying for a miracle that never happened. After two years of chemotherapy, the treatment for liver cancer did not produce results we had hoped for and we had to accept that it was time to say goodbye. On February 10th, Dad closed his eyes and was no longer able to verbally communicate. I continued to hold on to the fading hope with each response when Dad squeezed my hand or a weak smile when Mom was there. Dad passed away in the evening of February 13th.
I don't want to remember the time we were together in hospice, I rather remember the good times we as father and daughter going to soccer and basketball games. The funny story how Dad protected me as the fans rushed into the stadium for a sold-out game. I want to honor my Dad for the life he lived, for the courage he showed when he held our family together through all the rough years, how he helped other people on the boat journey, for the lessons he taught us by living a life of integrity and great characters and his love as a husband and a father. And that is how I will always remember my Dad.
