Bowling...

Bowling Champion???

Daddy...where are we going on my birthday??? said Joseph
Bowling. said Daddy.
Bowling...bowling??? I don't like bowling. said Joseph
Too bad. We are going to bowling. I am sure you will enjoy it. said Daddy
Ahhh...bowling...are you sure I will like it. said Joseph
Yup. Your cousins and Yee.yee will be there. You will have fun. said
Daddy.
Ok. said Joseph

At the bowling alley after getting lost and finally getting there. At least we got there before your cousins. Ha.ha.

Ok..Let's get shoes for bowling. said Daddy.
Shoes??? Why?? said Joseph.
It is a rule. We must were bowling shoe. said Daddy.
Ok. said Joseph.
I like the green ball Daddy. said Joseph.
Ok. I think it's too heavy for you. Let me find you lighter one. said
Daddy.
Well...the lightest ball is 6Lbs. Try this. said Daddy.
Ok. STRIKE!! I like bowling. said Joseph

On the way home, when are we going back to bowling?

Kindness...Where did it go?

I heard a topic this morning on the radio mentioning a university implementing a plan to be kind to your neighbor. That is quite interesting, what happened to kindness, did it decide to skip town? It seems that human beings are getting much more rude these day among adults and kids. (If you drive in the states, you'll understand) That is amazing, how did we arrived to this point. Has the media affect us mentally? How about our surroundings? Perhaps the food we eat (mad cow, salmonella, bird flu, etc). Although it is great to mention the issue, but has anyone thought about the solution??? I fear this is another hype story to get some publicity time. Most unfortunate. This country is heading downhill with morale, friendship and probably honesty.

Kindness should be natural, isn't it? As fellow human beings, why do we look at another any different than ourself? Do we really have that much of an advantage in comparison? I am not referring to wealth and physical differences; these are external and to me, it is always perspective. We are born, live a life (poor/wealth/happy/sad), then death comes knocking. Was there more in between? I don't think so. Why is it so difficult to be kind then?

The bible call it "SIN" or "SINFUL natural". Does that mean our kindess is being taking over by our sinful natural? I conclude YES. It seems to be.

Really, can you feel it???

Recently I had a conversation with my brother in law which was a very intruding subject. The idea of feeling the pain of a friend or brother when they are faced with trials in their life. It is easy for any of us to say "I feel your pain", but really: can you actually feel their pain or what they are going through at the moment? It took me a while thinking about this subject and I am still thinking about the subject. Unless I have experienced the same scenario, there is no way I can feel their pain or suffering. I can only be emphatic, that's it.

From a humanistic thinking, we will always tried to implied we understand what our friend is going through even with people we have never met. How many of us can say to a relative that we hardly see if they have lost a love one, "I feel your pain." We can't. How many of us can say to a friend who suffered with physical or mental challenges, "I feel you." No, we can't. It is sensible to say the phrase which produced no meaning at all. Perhaps some comfort. Maybe.

Although, I do think it's humanly the right words to say. Be careful when to say it is probably good pre-caution so you don't come out insincere. I am sure we all care for our friends and family of their feelings and trials; we would like to help as much as possible. Sometime a moment of silences is all that is needed.

Chief & Indian

FYI

The boss and his bud. It is great to be a manager at a place where dress code is optional.

New Addition

Baby #4 - Thomas (8Lbs 18Oz)

The greatest joy any parents can receive is the birth of a baby. Even though I have 3 children and I would think that those precious moments are passing thoughts; I was wrong. I was over joy when Thomas was born, the same joy and excitement that I had with my first.

Every baby is unique in some way, the look on their face, the way they stare at you (although some say they can't recognized anyone or anything at that stage). I disagreed. I love the stare from Thomas, he seems so curious of everything around him. Melts my heart when he looks at me without even blinking.



My other 3 kids loved him. It is not only that they realized the new addition to the family, another brother to play with. The battle to hold him was a constant big sister desired. The brothers seem to want to share their life stories with Thomas. What a pleasant sight!

Taking the words of the wise..Cherish these moments as they will past very quickly.

In Great attempts...

I don't know about you guys, but occasionally I eat a fortune cookie (taste great and less filling..joking). Today I got a nice one...it said "In great attempts it is glorious even to fail." Of course, you don't want to make it a bible to live by, but words to think about in a life journey. I just started my own company and feeling the difficulties ahead already. Just the learning process of managing and envisioning where the company will be is mind bogging. No one starts a company to failed, I assumed; but when the company does failed, it'll be the lacking in dedication and time put in. I am guessing it is probably easier to accept your "attempt at it" and failed versus "laziness" and failed.

This does not implies that I am given up, but need to focus more on it. I do believed that if you have not done something worthwhile in your life; I would encouraged the attempts, at least you'll never have to look back and say "I should have done that." Regret are the worst annoyance that carries for many years. "In great attempts it is glorious even to fail."

Freaking Malwares vs Spywares

What's the difference?

Well, spywares send information about your surf behaviour and your computer to other people. Some spyware simply relays the addresses of sites you visit or terms you search for to an external server and Malware is a term meaning malicious software. So, spywares are a type of malware. Either way, it's not something you would want to have on your system.

I have been working with customers that contracts newer and newer spywares. Just like the comic book superhero theme, I work during the day as a network administrator and combats home user PC problems at night. I think it's ridiculous and also getting dangerous in the world of Internet. In a slow economy which gives people much more time to come up with harmful scripts. I will not suggest the idea of if you can win them, join them; that would be hilarious.

The best protection is having an awareness of what is out there; unfortunately most of us do not work in the Information field which makes it difficult. I would recommend installing at least two or more antispyware software on your PC. Some good ones I came across are Malwarebytes and Webroot; back to back, these two software actually does a decent job at removing some of the "craps" out there or if you are in the New Jersey area, give me a call. I'll gladly clean it up for you. For the sake of advertisement, it's www.sohocs.net.

Easy said than done

This is a certain truth to the phrase "easy said than done". Often times, you watch someone who are an expert in the arts, like sewing, calligraphy writing, drawing, photography and cooking. These people generally makes their area of expertise looks like a 1, 2, 3 types of work and I do not think it is that case most of the time.

I like to go to home depot alot, it's really a "manly" place (just kidding). I watched some of the people demonstration tiles or cutting woods in angles. They are definitely demo in a 1,2,3 fashion, but when you go home and tried to do the same; no way you will get the same results. Most of us knows the truth behind the 1,2,3 works; it is practice after practice. Nothing in this world is ever easy, you will always have to work at it one way or another. You seen some of the dieting commercials, eat this and chew that, you will then lose X number of lbs. C'mon, I say just stick with the eat right and excercise idea, you will save lots of money that way.

The old fashion statement, hardwork and practice is the key to success. There is no such thing as Free lunch.

Post Elections...thoughts

Most of us are really never too sure about the decisions we make. What car to buy; whether to start having kids; what to eat for dinner; where to go on our next vacation, etc. We just been through a major Election for the President of the United States. This is a decision of switching power from one belief system to another belief system, hence Democrates vs. Republicans. The question remains, did we select the right belief system? Did we put the right person to carry us through the next four years? Did we truly thought it through when we went to the poll?

I think politics is POLITICS. I believed the presidental candidates are the best salesmen in the world, feeding us lies or just saying right things to make us feel good. For many years, we listened to the salesman pitch, "I will do A, B, C, and D"; but after the elections, it's already too late. I will be happy if the President-Elect kept at least one promise; I think that's an accomplishment.

I also believed this is mostly our faults. We put the person in charge based on our short-sighted needs and not looking at the long term affect. As we elected Bush, so we also elected Obama. I strongly believed we will be in the position as the Bush days. You heard everyone screaming "not another four years"; well, I think people will be surprised in the next four years.

Tools..lots of them

I once met a coworker and good friend. We went to Sears and did a bit of manly browsing. Yes, guys do that too. We walk to the tools section and I know he has more tools than lots of people that I know of. He pick out a wrench of some sort and brought it. I ask him, what is with another tool? Don't you have a collection already? He chuckled and said, you will always need a tool; a tool for different purpose and function. So I said, ever thought of a universal tool that does it all? He said in respond, one day you'll see.

I have my own house and prior to fully living at my house. I never have thought of tool usage at all; I guess if you are never home, what is there to fixed. I was dead wrong. I work locally now and I have been home everyday for the past 2.5 years. Let's say I stop by Lowes a lot these days looking at tools. I realized how right was his comment. I can always use additional tool for home fixing. Although I may not know of all the names to all my tools, but I am so glad they were there when I needed them. More tools the merrier and guess what I am getting for Christmas this year.

Walk the walk...

This is probably the simpliest lesson but hardest to practice. I am forced to learn this lesson of making promises and keeping them. My children are quite forceful, especially my daughter. Whenever Sarah approaches me with the cute smile and hugging mode, I know I am in trouble. I know she wants something from me. This is my most difficult part of being a Dad, saying no to my daughter when she ask for toys that you know it is a waste. The best part is that she said "Please" daddy. Hmmm....
Many times I have delivered on my end of the promise, but there are times I cannot. The guilt on my end and the disappointment on her face breaks my heart. I realized we can't always give our children everyhting they want But if you promised; it is better to keep than make excuses. Just think of the number of times your dad didn't keep their promises. Ah..to even think of it means you have not forgotten, so expect the same results from your kids. The phrase "what comes around goes around" makes lot more sense now. Isn't it?

Challenges of Life

The phrase "sometime you feel like a nut" seems to apply well in my life. I am guessing most people are similar to my situation. You work all you life since you graduated from college or before college and you enjoyed most of those times also. Life changes as I got married and having children. It is different, there seems to be a different purpose to my life now and more than ever in comparison to the good old college days. The word "Responsibilities" comes to mind and lots of them. By accepting the two new roles, husband and dad; I find that my priorities needs to be shift in a 360 degree matter. For example, from time to time, I am thinking my time is my time; I can't waste it to spend playing with my kids and talking to my wife (single life thinking). There are days I just want to pack my backpack and "head south". Such selfish thinking and I am ashamed. This is an area which I need to work harder myself to correct my selfish thoughts. My families is my number priorities and there has to be no other replacements. With this note, I can't seem to understand some of the hard working folks including myself, we put so many hours in the office in hope to move up and "show" our self that we are more than capable. At the end of the year, you got the 3.5% raised and you are thinking the time you have stolen from your families is only worth 3.5%. What a shamed! The worst is that the times lost with your families far more outweighs than 3.5% and there is no way to gain it back. Unfortunate and Sad!

Perhaps this is just my thoughts echoing, but for the sake of families, may want to think twice before you begin moving your families down on the priority list.

Chinese Autumn Feast

Today is the Chinese Lunar calendar celebration of the Autumn feast. It's a celebration of family unity. Different Asian culture celebrate this day in their own respect. Most Chinese look forward to this day because it's also "moon" cake day. Not the best stuff on earth, but pretty darn good cake. Moon cake comes in many favors, but I enjoy the simple one, egg in the middle with lotus surround (Yummy!). Anyways, this day is also call Aug. 15, a month behind the western culture. As far as my understanding goes for this day, it also reminds the Asian culture of the blessings of a great harvest.

My parents celebrate this day with cakes, home style bakery and fruits. They also light incense to thank their god for this blessed day. Different Asian culture celebrate this day in their unique ways, but generally the same type of procedures; cakes, bakery, moon cake, fruits and candies.

This is one of the many culture celebration which I think is literally unique to our background. I am Cantonese, therefore my parents keeps it simple. My wife is TaiSanese (probably spell this wrong) and they celebrate this day very differently. Regardless, there is no other Asian celebration that I know of is as defined this day. Even Chinese new year is not as unique Autumn feast; Chinese is almost universal meaning it's the same everywhere, just a bit more fireworks than NY.

Wow..Kids grow up fast!

I have hear this comment many, many times and by many people. "Cherish them now because they grow up fast" This is one of those comments which I don't think much of it when my wife and I had our first baby. We always thought time stand still for us. Seems like no ending to diaper changing, bottle feedings and waking up in the middle of the night. Very long, long exhaustive time. Then we had #2 and #3 and we still feel like time stand still for us. From time to time, we ask each other when will the kids grow up and out the door.

Recently, my wife and I sat down and try to pick out pictures to decorate our house. It really hit us hard how fast our kids are growing up. We saw their baby pictures and 1 year old pictures; we are wondering where did the time go. They are so adorable (not that they are not now). Don't take wrong, my kids are not that old, 5, 4, and 2 years old. It seems like yesterday when I held my daughter and sign her to sleep. Wow..they sure grow fast. Another wise saying I heard in the past, "time does not wait for anyone, you can only waste time".

Joy of children

There are many blessings in a person life, it's just that we as human beings stop counting them. Each morning when we can wake up, it's already a blessing and if going to work after waking up, that's double blessing.

The day I married my best friend (my wife) brings tears to my eyes, joyful tears that is. I am thinking this is going to change my life. Little do I know, the naive thoughts of that moment was blown away by the birth of my little girl . She really change my life, can't get enough of the diaper changing. Ah...the unforgettable times. As I look back at some of the pictures (guess that what parents do), I said to myself, wow how fast did she grew and the joy she has given to me, real joy, the type that gives meaning to "Daddy's little girl". My daughter always seem to cheer me up after a long day at the office, it's like she has a radar for Daddy stress.

I actually have 3 children, my daughter is the oldest, almost 5 follow by 2 boys, 4 and 2. Not to neglect the other 2 rascals. They are also a bundle of joy as well. They are so unique in turns of personalities, behavior and actions. My oldest son is the sensitive one for whatever the odd reason, I think he takes after me and maybe a bit of mommy. The youngest is all muscle, probably a future pro wrestler. I am really thankful for them, as often I dread changing their diapers, but compare to the joy they have brought me over the past years. I really can't complained. One of the many advice from any older parents "Enjoy them now, they will be college before you know it". I really believe it and it's a great advice.

Labor Day 2 Cents

It's been a lag on my part to keep my blog rolling. My hands had been tied up a bit from my work place, it's kinda hard if you have to carry another person's load on top of your own already heavy load. Your days are going too fast and frustration are up the roof. This is my labor day for the past two years with my current company.

I am not sure how many people look into the reasoning for Labor Day. Most people are like me (probably) think it's another long weekend and WOOoooo....another day off. I got a bit curious on when did Labor Day started and why. Interesting enough, President Cleveland sign this day officially in 1894 as Holiday. Thank God someone kept their promise. It's really hard to imagine politician keeps their promised these days. All of them are looking out for number one. (Themselves) Labor day got pushed when in 1892, the union workers took an unpaid day to support this holiday. Got to love them, just wish they stop striking so much and get the highway built faster. Labor day lands are generally lands on the 1st Monday in September, sort of an unofficial closing of the summer and kids get back to school are a long holiday weekend. Kinda neat way settle the mind for the young ones. That about it on my 2 cents.

Remember When...

I want to declare that I am not that old. My memory goes back as far as 1982. Only 26 years ago. I am sure if you are reading my blog, there is a good chance you are dated further back than 1982, "smiled". You know who you are. For whatever odd reason, the thought of the past came across my mind today. Not sure if that has anything to do with my kids which I still don't believed my oldest kid is almost 5 years old. When people tell you time sure goes by fast, believe them. If not at the moment, wait till you have kids. I was a skeptic, now I am a believer. Where did time go?

I remember there is such a place as Penny store. It's a store where a penny means something. Here is a little list I can remember from 1982, thus my topic "Remember when..."

1. We can use the term "the value of a dollar". You may hope that the dollar store spare the tax.
2. When jobs are plenty. Jobless is an impossibilities. Today, you are lucky if you have one.
3. Gas is at 99 cents. Think how far you can go.
4. Cars are a luxury. Now most people have at least 2 cars.
5. When kids respect their parents. Today you kids are coequal with you even though you pay the billed.
6. Atari game was awesome. Now, Wii.
7. 2400 Baud rate modem is considered high-tech. Today a 56kps modem a shame. FIOS anyone?
8. Computer games are a lot simpler. Does Pac Man or Centipede still exist? Ah..classic games.
9. Life decision are easier to make. What will I eat today vs. what will my kids want to eat today?
10. College degree guarantees a job. Well...it's no longer what you know, but who you know.

The world has change a lot and fast over my 26 years. Can you imagined what you kids life will be like in the next 20 years? More importantly, will there be another 20 years to go?

What IF??

There are many mysteries which human always wonder about and extremely curious if they exist or not. The fact that many experts have talk about it, witness has seen it, some PhD wrote about it; it must be true like the Bermuda triangle. I am sure it exist, it is just not exact since no ever come back from the Bermuda triangle or has them?? Hmmm….

I like throw in a couples of what if to ponder about, take it as a grain of salt or it may be facts. Hmm..what if..

1. Green tea is good for you. The Chinese claims that drinking a cup a day helps to slow down aging and increase blood circulation, thus enhance longevity. The Japanese also drinks Green tea, claiming the amount of antioxident contain in Green tea can counteract mercury in the Sushi they eat. Well, I have not met a Chinese guy/gal that live to be 125 years old (high standards). But what if?

2. We are alone in this universe. Lots of alien theories and many, many movies and witness. They must be right, right? We have many experts who are friends with alien, met them for drinks; of course they can recognized false eyewitness, liars a mile away. What is so difficult to believed we may be the only race existed in this universe? What if we are alone?

3. The government is lying to us. As any common sense citizen, we had a nosed that can smell fishy government when we see or heard one. These days, we hear lot more of it. Most of us are getting numb to some of the lies, others find it more amusing each day. What if it’s true that the government is” screwing” us all while feeding lies to us at the same time.

4. God is real. Has anyone thought about life after death? Most of us probably thinking at the day we fully closed our eyes. That’s it. What if, there is life after death and God does exist. Wonder what your last words will be? Hmmm…I must be dreaming, someone please pinch me. Too late!

5. Your parents are right, sometimes. Most of the times, your parents are clueless. They don’t keep up with time, extremely outdated. How can they know whether this guy/ girl are right or wrong for me if I feel so right at the moment. What if your parent does have a nose for wrong type people? Imagine the misery they can save you. Hmm…WHAT IF?

Secret to Rubber Necking

I want to be as realistic as possible in my blogs. Taking the everyday things that we see and challenges we faced. I guess most people faces rubber necking traffic, we just get so use to the grinding haul feeling; it becomes us. In another word, we just don't care any more; almost second nature. Today I have finally had enough time to think it through on secrets to becoming a good rubber necker.

Here are few of my thoughts:

1. When the incident is on your side of the road, slow down from going from 70MPH to 10MPH otherwise, you'll missed the whole show.

2. When the incident is on the other lanes and there no chance you'll see any of it; you need to slow down again from 70MPH to 10MPH, otherwise, you can't tell what the other guy on the closer lane is stiring at.

3. When the incident is on the far, far side of the opposite lane going in opposite direction. You gotta let go of the gas. You need to bring the speed from your 70MPH down between 5-10MPH or you'll really missed the show because it's so far away.

4. Best one, When the incident is closer to your lane on the opposite lane going opposite direction. As Emeril would say, take it down a notch from 70MPH to 10MPH. Otherwise, you can't tell if the cop is giving a ticket or helping the person out.

By the way, while you are doing all these ticket items, don't worry about the other fifty or so people waiting for you to move your ass. They don't need to get home after a long day of work, what's another hour anyway. It's only a 10 hour day, they can handle another hour. They are just jealous they can't get a front row seat to watch the incident. Look! It's a tow truck with flashy lights, who is he towing???

My Cooking tools

Cooking is really about combining the right ingredients to produce a special result that appeals to your sight, taste and smell. If you are thinking that it's about the meat or vegetables, we can argue that point till tomorrow morning after Dim Sum, then lunch, then over "high-tea", and dinner; we'll still be debating the same point. Anyways, I just want to show some of the ingredients I like to use in my cooking site, simpleasiancookings.com if you have not checked out by now.


The first item is the cooking wine. There are few brands out there and as I mentioned in my earlier blogs can produce different aroma when combined with different ingredients. Here are the two cooking wine I used most often, ShaoXing and Taiwanese Cooking Michu. Generally I used the ShaoXing for beef marinate and the Taiwanese for everything else. Why? You may asked. I find the ShaoXing enhances the flavor of the beef. Odd, but true. Taiwanese cooking Michu gives meat a better taste. Odd, but true.


I use the following ingredients for extra flavoring. Be aware that adding any ingredients with slightly more or less can change the results of the dish. Odd, but also true. If you over spiced any meat during marinating process, when you cook, I guaranteed it will not be the same. That's why when you watch TV chef making the meals; seems straight forward, but when you try to do it, there is a different. Why? You didn't do it exact and you are not supposed to. As long as you come closed, you can achieved a similar result. That is good already. If you are cooking homestyle, then you definitely will product different results, from my earlier blog again. Control the flame or different flame level from stove also is a factor to the outcome.


I used the following measuring items. Straight forward. Nothing rocket science in measurement. I like Rachael Ray on the "eye-ball" concept. Sometimes it's all about "eye-balling". Don't get over anal about how much you'll put in. As I mentioned earlier, you result will be different, just get closed. Think of cooking TV or recipes as a guidelines, you'll probably be less critical that way.
Style foam cups works miracles in measurement. Keep on cooking, you can only get good at it.