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.