My Friend Hurim

I drove all the way to Dallas, TX for my buddy Hurim's wedding tonight. Of my close friends back home, his is the first celebration in what I'm sure will be many within the years to come. An interesting bunch of late blooming people we really are....=)

I can say a plethora of great things about my friend, but one thing really stuck out to me tonight during the reception. Peering out over the crowded ballroom, I could point out every ex girlfriend and crush that he had entertained throughout the course of his life (well, known to me I guess). Girlfriends from highschool and college. A couple of faces here and there that I knew had rejected him at various times. Dates that never quite worked out and dance partners that once held so much potential at night's end. Wow, this guy had remained on good terms with them all.

These days it's so easy to get caught up in the intangibles of the dating world. Feelings getting hurt. Nasty breakups. Potential and actual embarassment. Wow, it's a total minefield. Seeing all these women from his past there to celebrate and wish him well. Dang, I really respect that.

My friend is a really good dude. Not entirely worthy of residing on a pedastal or anything, but enough to warrant mention in my thoughts through this posting.

I'm glad I got to make it out....even if the drive was hellacious at times.

Oh, and I finally got to witness the traditional Korean chestnut tossing/dowry haggling/ piggyback riding ceremony that I've always heard of. Too cool.

My Thoughts About New Orleans, LA

For those of you out there who don't know me well, my father moved the family to Louisiana during the summer of my second grade year. Life was truly a suburban experience that spanned all the way through HS graduation. Times weren't always a walk in the park. The Asian population was almost nonexistent during those days. Chinese food was basically a page stolen right out of the Panda Express experience. Every day was guaranteed to be a different battle, sometimes with the white kids and other times with the black ones. From Monday through Friday, life became an experiment of "American Conformation" while weekends were invariably spent rediscovering the Chinese side of things. This happened mainly by hanging with church friends and family.

It's so surreal that I've finally made a return trip after leaving over seven years ago.....

The Town Itself: It hasn't changed all that much. Everything just looks so much smaller. So much more country. This used to be my entire world. Riding bikes to play video games at the arcade. Getting dropped off at the public library in the summers to read. The church that I had a hand in building from the ground up, people were approaching me as a visitor and inquired what area I was from. Shoot....=) I'm as original as it gets.

*LIB Note: San Francisco is a glaring contrast to this sleepy little suburb of Metairie, LA. God has such a sense of humor at times. LIB living in California....who would have thought?


My Cousin Christine: Probably the sweetest and most naturally selfless woman that I know. As I was making my way to work with her father out in California, she was accepted into the class of 2004 at Tulane Medical School and gradually found her way to my old church. She immediately started to serve and they've been loving her ever since. One of our old family friends asked me, "Are you sure YOU are related to HER?". The opportunity for the both of us to spend some time out there before she leaves for residency was such a blessing. My cousin Christine. Great gal.

LIB the Tourist: We never did touristy things while living in New Orleans. Seriously, my parents were the typical hard working Chinese types that never took a day off if they didn't need to. Being there with Donut and PictureBoy conveniently allowed me to experience different parts of the local scene that permanant residency never did before. A beautiful swamp tour....and I tell ya....the swamp is really pretty. Fine dining at some of the notable eateries in the city. Touring the Garden District and learning of how many of the prominent mansions in the area were built and maintained. The scary thought is that we only touched a small portion of what the city really had to offer. Didn't get to explore one of those old plantation houses....=(

My Favorite Elderly People in That House: Weird thought eh? There were these elderly people, one man and three women, who lived in this house a few miles from ours. Their story is so much more than I can write, but I'll attempt to share the impact that they've had in my life. These folks were political/religious prisoners in China for the majority of their adult lives. All for their faith in Christ. I can't even fathom the thought of myself or any of my friends being in that position. What it boils down to is we're part of a spoiled generation.

Anyways, the grace of God eventually led them to America and they remain among the boldest of believers that I know. True warriors of prayer. When I ran into the elderly man he stopped, smiled, and gave me a hearty hand shake.

*LIB Note: They actually come into my thoughts quite frequently and parts of me would sometimes wonder if I'd ever see them again.

The man said to me, " Son, you've been gone quite a long while. We still pray for you and many of the other young ones that have passed through along the way."

Dang. I promised him a personal visit the next time I came into town. Wow, the old people are still living strong....=)

In Summary: I realize how much New Orleans is a part of my internal being. Funny, because in the darkest days I remember being determined to never set foot in that miserable town again. Ever. It's awesome how God can heal the unforgiving heart of a 7 year old boy that eventually found the road to adulthood. Truth be told, I want to be able to share the city with even more of my friends down the line. Especially the ones I've been blessed with out here in California.

You know what? We're going to Mardi Gras next year. I'm gonna check the dates and start gauging interest. I hope that things will eventually fall into place.

=)!!!!!!!

"My Next Thirty Years"

I think I'll take a moment, celebrate my age

The ending of an era and the turning of a page

Now it's time to focus in on where I go from here

Lord have mercy on my next thirty years

Hey my next thirty years I'm gonna have some fun

Try to forget about all the crazy things I've done

Maybe now I've conquered all my adolescent fears

And I'll do it better in my next thirty years

My next thirty years I'm gonna settle all the scores

Cry a little less, laugh a little more

Find a world of happiness without the hate and fear

Figure out just what I'm doing here

In my next thirty years

Oh my next thirty years, I'm gonna watch my weight

Eat a few more salads and not stay up so late

Drink a little lemonade and not so many beers

Maybe I'll remember my next thirty years

My next thirty years will be the best years of my life

Raise a little family and hang out with my wife

Spend precious moments with the ones that I hold dear

Make up for lost time here, in my next thirty years

In my next thirty years

*LIB Note: Still a ways off from the big 3-0, but it's becoming more obvious how close to the latter end of the spectrum I really am. Older in age, young at heart, loving life day by day....=)