Wednesday, March 29, 2006
BLUE
As kids, my sister and I used to needle our mom for spare change almost everytime we passed up a gumball machine. Most days we'd end up going home to a bittersweet package of raisins or haw flakes in the pantry, but every now and then our pleas sunk in and she would allow us each a few coins to buy some gum. My favorites were always the big ones that came in a wide assortment of colors. These bad boys were hollowed out, around an inch in diameter, and thinly coated with a candy shell. Upon sliding my coin into the slot, I remember religiously thinking one thought over and over as the machine's handle turned and our exchange reached a point of no return.
"Please, don't let me draw the blue one!"
It's not that the blue gumballs were any less savory than their counterparts, actually they were quite tasty, but the most annoying side effect from eating one was having your entire mouth dyed blue for the rest of the day. Some kids thought it was funny and proudly ran around showing off how they looked as if their mom packed an entire village of smurfs for them to eat at lunch. The phenomenom was alway an embarassment to me for some reason, but I'd end up chewing the blue gumball anyways b/c color was bever a legitimate enough excuse for a second try.
LIB Note: Sometimes I could maneuver a trade with my sister....=)
I found myself staring into a mirror today and shaking my head in disbelief. For the past week and a half I've been struggling with a mysterious strain of flu or virus. Not a minute goes by that my body doesn't try to heave a short burst of air and phlegm from its suffering depths. The only way that I could get through my meetings and daily interactions was to constantly have a cough drop tucked away in my mouth. Flavor? Eucalyptus. Color? Yup....Blue. My tongue, teeth, gums, and inner lips were all stained pretty good. The gumballs immediately came to mind and I started to laugh. Lucky there wasn't anyone in the bathroom with me at the time. =P
Ugh, being sick sucks....
Eucalyptus is for koala bears!
My immune system must really be a house of cards right now....=(
As kids, my sister and I used to needle our mom for spare change almost everytime we passed up a gumball machine. Most days we'd end up going home to a bittersweet package of raisins or haw flakes in the pantry, but every now and then our pleas sunk in and she would allow us each a few coins to buy some gum. My favorites were always the big ones that came in a wide assortment of colors. These bad boys were hollowed out, around an inch in diameter, and thinly coated with a candy shell. Upon sliding my coin into the slot, I remember religiously thinking one thought over and over as the machine's handle turned and our exchange reached a point of no return.
"Please, don't let me draw the blue one!"
It's not that the blue gumballs were any less savory than their counterparts, actually they were quite tasty, but the most annoying side effect from eating one was having your entire mouth dyed blue for the rest of the day. Some kids thought it was funny and proudly ran around showing off how they looked as if their mom packed an entire village of smurfs for them to eat at lunch. The phenomenom was alway an embarassment to me for some reason, but I'd end up chewing the blue gumball anyways b/c color was bever a legitimate enough excuse for a second try.
LIB Note: Sometimes I could maneuver a trade with my sister....=)
I found myself staring into a mirror today and shaking my head in disbelief. For the past week and a half I've been struggling with a mysterious strain of flu or virus. Not a minute goes by that my body doesn't try to heave a short burst of air and phlegm from its suffering depths. The only way that I could get through my meetings and daily interactions was to constantly have a cough drop tucked away in my mouth. Flavor? Eucalyptus. Color? Yup....Blue. My tongue, teeth, gums, and inner lips were all stained pretty good. The gumballs immediately came to mind and I started to laugh. Lucky there wasn't anyone in the bathroom with me at the time. =P
Ugh, being sick sucks....
Eucalyptus is for koala bears!
My immune system must really be a house of cards right now....=(
Saturday, February 25, 2006
Tagged
Eek-mail: you've been tagged
LIB-mail: what does that mean?
Eek-mail: read my blog and respond
LIB-mail: ok, i will
*LIB Note: Interesting. Back in the day the fat kid always got tagged.....=P Good times.
Rules of the Game:
- The tagged victim must come up with 8 different points of their perfect lover.
- Need to mention gender of target.
- Tag 8 victims to join this game & leave a comment saying they've been tagged.
- If tagged again, there's no need to post a 2nd time.
"The Perfect Woman"
1. isn't allergic to driving but would let me drive 9 times out of 10
2. enjoys the feel & smell of freshly cleaned laundry
3. is down with country music
4. would be an independent thinker
5. understands the joys of a hot shower
6. looks hot in a pony tail with no makeup
7. understands that Gwyneth is just my favorite actress
8. hates licorice whips, eggplant, taro, and egg yolk as much as i do
9. speaks mandarin chinese
10. loves the beach and everything it has to offer
Hmmm, I tag myself. =)
Eek-mail: you've been tagged
LIB-mail: what does that mean?
Eek-mail: read my blog and respond
LIB-mail: ok, i will
*LIB Note: Interesting. Back in the day the fat kid always got tagged.....=P Good times.
Rules of the Game:
- The tagged victim must come up with 8 different points of their perfect lover.
- Need to mention gender of target.
- Tag 8 victims to join this game & leave a comment saying they've been tagged.
- If tagged again, there's no need to post a 2nd time.
"The Perfect Woman"
1. isn't allergic to driving but would let me drive 9 times out of 10
2. enjoys the feel & smell of freshly cleaned laundry
3. is down with country music
4. would be an independent thinker
5. understands the joys of a hot shower
6. looks hot in a pony tail with no makeup
7. understands that Gwyneth is just my favorite actress
8. hates licorice whips, eggplant, taro, and egg yolk as much as i do
9. speaks mandarin chinese
10. loves the beach and everything it has to offer
Hmmm, I tag myself. =)
Thursday, February 09, 2006
WEIRD
Is there anything weirder than dancing with a bunch of your coworkers after an offsite meeting?
How about if the music is all hip hop and the majority of the crowd is older and caucasian?
What if the younger crowd of women started surrounding the VP while Usher's "Yeah!" was on?
50 some people doing the electric slide....Wow!
I done seen it all.....=P
Is there anything weirder than dancing with a bunch of your coworkers after an offsite meeting?
How about if the music is all hip hop and the majority of the crowd is older and caucasian?
What if the younger crowd of women started surrounding the VP while Usher's "Yeah!" was on?
50 some people doing the electric slide....Wow!
I done seen it all.....=P
Monday, February 06, 2006
Gift of the Year
The best gift I received for my birthday this year was an opportunity to see Mozart's Requiem performed live at Davies Symphony Hall. Seriously, I think I damn near cried. We weren't amidst the most coveted seating. My knowledge of classical music wouldn't even come close to rivaling a true enthusiast. Embarassing enough, my fondness for this performance lies embedded deep within the joy experienced from watching Amadeus. =) Yes, the movie.
Confutatis maledictis,
Flammis acribus addictis:
Voca me cum benedictis.
Long proven to be filled with inaccuracies, I couldn't help but be overtaken with how actual pieces of the Requiem colorfully accompanied Mozart's decline in the film. Memory has me almost being damn near in tears during the depiction of his burial as a pauper. That solemn shot of his father's portrait during a fit of paranoia while writing. =(
Lacrymosa dies illa,
Qua resurget ex favilla,
Judicandus homo reus:
Huic ergo parce, Deus.
This piece itself translates to me a deep and painful conversation between the vocalists and our living God, perhaps pleading on behalf of the soul for which it was commissioned. One could certainly argue that various declarations of remorse, joy, pain, and peace exist throughout it.
Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini.
Hosanna in excelsis.
Well, what the heck do I really know. This beautiful musical was reintroduced to me at the right time in my life (beautiful despite Mozart's questionable piety). Maybe one day I'll have listened to it enough that I can suck it up like a man. =)
LIB Note: There was this one elderly man who really knew what was going on. Despite having his eyes closed the entire time, his motions and gestures seemed to suggest that memory was serving him best that night. =)
LIB Note II: Thanks CQL...I owe you yet another one.
The best gift I received for my birthday this year was an opportunity to see Mozart's Requiem performed live at Davies Symphony Hall. Seriously, I think I damn near cried. We weren't amidst the most coveted seating. My knowledge of classical music wouldn't even come close to rivaling a true enthusiast. Embarassing enough, my fondness for this performance lies embedded deep within the joy experienced from watching Amadeus. =) Yes, the movie.
Confutatis maledictis,
Flammis acribus addictis:
Voca me cum benedictis.
Long proven to be filled with inaccuracies, I couldn't help but be overtaken with how actual pieces of the Requiem colorfully accompanied Mozart's decline in the film. Memory has me almost being damn near in tears during the depiction of his burial as a pauper. That solemn shot of his father's portrait during a fit of paranoia while writing. =(
Lacrymosa dies illa,
Qua resurget ex favilla,
Judicandus homo reus:
Huic ergo parce, Deus.
This piece itself translates to me a deep and painful conversation between the vocalists and our living God, perhaps pleading on behalf of the soul for which it was commissioned. One could certainly argue that various declarations of remorse, joy, pain, and peace exist throughout it.
Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini.
Hosanna in excelsis.
Well, what the heck do I really know. This beautiful musical was reintroduced to me at the right time in my life (beautiful despite Mozart's questionable piety). Maybe one day I'll have listened to it enough that I can suck it up like a man. =)
LIB Note: There was this one elderly man who really knew what was going on. Despite having his eyes closed the entire time, his motions and gestures seemed to suggest that memory was serving him best that night. =)
LIB Note II: Thanks CQL...I owe you yet another one.
Sunday, January 01, 2006
A Partial List of What I Really Want in 2006:
is to remember that the metaphorical rain clouds i created can't follow me around forever.....
is to play more basketball and dunk on my 5"7 friend who always reminds me that he's 5"7 and that i should naturally do things that he can't
is to make sure that i think of my ex-girlfriend and her family as friends despite how things went down towards the end of our time together
is to pay heed to a personal thought, the color of your own lawn really tells you how much you've put into it, when deciding whether to stay at SCBC or not
is to get back into the classroom and chip away at that elusive BS in Business Administration
is to see my grandmother turn 90 in may and hold true to my goal of getting down to 185 lbs by that time. thing is, my cousins always sit around and talk about how they need to get back into shape again....i wanna roll into town and surprise them all
is to maximize my time at the DDJ house in Millbrae and have more gatherings so people can catch up with each other
is to expand my social circle and get back to being the LIB who could really work the room
is to keep praying for others and remain genuinely delighted when God blesses the people around me. in my darkest days a few years back....intercessory prayer was a big part of what kept me going
is to spend some time with my dad in guangzhou this summer and explain to him why i've decided not to aim for china in the near future
is to sharpen my chinese reading and writing skills just in case God gives me the green when all is said and done. i shared the gospel with a native mandarin speaker today and was taken aback at how difficult it was to get thoughts across with my imperfect diction
is to remain humble and not take myself too seriously
is to get back on the bull and hold on for dear life....
it's been an interesting time of retreat here in houston....
here goes nothing....
is to remember that the metaphorical rain clouds i created can't follow me around forever.....
is to play more basketball and dunk on my 5"7 friend who always reminds me that he's 5"7 and that i should naturally do things that he can't
is to make sure that i think of my ex-girlfriend and her family as friends despite how things went down towards the end of our time together
is to pay heed to a personal thought, the color of your own lawn really tells you how much you've put into it, when deciding whether to stay at SCBC or not
is to get back into the classroom and chip away at that elusive BS in Business Administration
is to see my grandmother turn 90 in may and hold true to my goal of getting down to 185 lbs by that time. thing is, my cousins always sit around and talk about how they need to get back into shape again....i wanna roll into town and surprise them all
is to maximize my time at the DDJ house in Millbrae and have more gatherings so people can catch up with each other
is to expand my social circle and get back to being the LIB who could really work the room
is to keep praying for others and remain genuinely delighted when God blesses the people around me. in my darkest days a few years back....intercessory prayer was a big part of what kept me going
is to spend some time with my dad in guangzhou this summer and explain to him why i've decided not to aim for china in the near future
is to sharpen my chinese reading and writing skills just in case God gives me the green when all is said and done. i shared the gospel with a native mandarin speaker today and was taken aback at how difficult it was to get thoughts across with my imperfect diction
is to remain humble and not take myself too seriously
is to get back on the bull and hold on for dear life....
it's been an interesting time of retreat here in houston....
here goes nothing....
Friday, December 30, 2005
"Ain't Nothin Like"
I like kickin' back on the sofa
I like kickin' back on the sofa
Flippin' through the channels just to see what's on
I enjoy eatin' eggs over easy
Soppin' up with a biscuit 'til the yellow's gone
[Chorus]
Ain't nothin' like watchin' a bunch of young'ns
Run screamin' through the sprinkler in their little bare feet
And ain't nothin' like finding twenty dollars
In the pocket of the britches that you wore last week
I get into getting out on my mower
In the early mornin' hours 'fore the sun gets hot
And I like goin' down to the Kroger
When the carnival comes to the parkin' lot
Ain't nothin' like throwing a hula popper
Draggin' it across a spot a big 'un oughta be
And ain't nothin' like having him for supper
With some good hush puppies and some sweet iced tea
[Bridge]
This old world is full of simple pleasures
They're all good but some are better
Ain't nothin' like finding that woman
That you know you're gonna love for the rest of your life
And ain't nothin' like knowing the Lord's a comin'
Back one day to make you want to do right
*LIB Note: A part of me will always remember my time in the dirty south. Good times! =)
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
Countdown to Liftoff
Dear Hank and Peggy,
In the last two years I've often found myself smiling when thougts of your family arise. How I used to horse around with Hank at the bookstore to visiting your new place the last time I was home. Truly blessed. I hiope to catch up with all 5 (*LIB Note: Holy crap!!) of you guys sometime soon. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!
-LIB
In a few days I'll be on a plane heading home to see my family in Houston. Post breakup, my life has been through a great deal of ebb and flow. It's not that I've been remorseful over the course of events, but my mind has been intensely focused on how to move on. Can I forgive and forget? Am I capable of vengeance? What do I have to prove? What is my motivation? What do you do when the most unsuspecting parties plot your demise?
Haha, everything is now crystal clear as the upcoming year begins. In short, I've got alot to do this year....responsibilities to uphold....friends to lift up....and much more to experience. This is the year that I truly walk without my crutches.
10 days in one of the dirtiest cities in America, raking leaves and cleaning gutters, counseling a sibling in need, getting to know a future inlaw, lots of time dialing long distance, rebuilding relationships long since deteriorated, and staying away from the all you can eats.
I'm going home!
Dear Hank and Peggy,
In the last two years I've often found myself smiling when thougts of your family arise. How I used to horse around with Hank at the bookstore to visiting your new place the last time I was home. Truly blessed. I hiope to catch up with all 5 (*LIB Note: Holy crap!!) of you guys sometime soon. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!
-LIB
In a few days I'll be on a plane heading home to see my family in Houston. Post breakup, my life has been through a great deal of ebb and flow. It's not that I've been remorseful over the course of events, but my mind has been intensely focused on how to move on. Can I forgive and forget? Am I capable of vengeance? What do I have to prove? What is my motivation? What do you do when the most unsuspecting parties plot your demise?
Haha, everything is now crystal clear as the upcoming year begins. In short, I've got alot to do this year....responsibilities to uphold....friends to lift up....and much more to experience. This is the year that I truly walk without my crutches.
10 days in one of the dirtiest cities in America, raking leaves and cleaning gutters, counseling a sibling in need, getting to know a future inlaw, lots of time dialing long distance, rebuilding relationships long since deteriorated, and staying away from the all you can eats.
I'm going home!