Saturday, March 26, 2005
On this day:
Miss American Pie
Last Saturday night, Kelli threw me a citizenship dinner at her house. Various emails were exchanged about the event. I would have really liked to bring some small items to the party, but Kelli didn't want me to go through the trouble. I had no idea what was planned or what we are all doing. So this was what they were all up to.
The only thing I know was that I was to show up at 2:30 because Aidan has a baseball practice at 3:00pm. I planned to bring my long lens camera to take some action shots. It should be cool. Well, knowing me, I was somehow running late, I guess. No one was home when I showed up at the door at 2:10. I might have gotten the time wrong, or whatever. I also know they will be back at about 4:30pm, so I window shopped downtown Los Gatos. A pretty trendy downtown, with a lot of expensive stores. Window shop was all I can do.
Little did I know, baseball was in the whole scheme of things. To commemorate me becoming an US citizen, they created an All-American Faire. When I showed up at Kelli's at 4:30, she was busy in the kitchen, making two Apple Pies, from scratch. At this moment I was still rather clueless. I rolled up my sleeves and doved in to peeling apples and rolling out doughs. Next Maribel and Steve showed up with dinner ingredients. They bought all-american, old-fashioned Hot Dogs. Okay, now I see the pattern. So we are having a good old American dinner. Appetizer was Nachos with Velveeta cheese. Then Bob and Yvette showed up with KFC hot wings. Hot Dogs were served with Chili, relishes and onions. Good god, we are celebrating American culture. Bless their hearts though, at least they have enough class to not serve me Budweiser. Mainly because they couldn't see themselves drinking it also. They graciously provided Sierra Neveda instead.
After dinner, the tables were cleared for Easter egg decorating, for Sunday is Easter. Another western custom. After that came entertainment by the kids. Grant sang "Yankee Doddle Dandy", everyone sang "America the Beautiful". And during dessert, Danielle and Sarah sang "Miss American Pie". Well, short verses of it. They also included Weird Al's Star Wars version of it. Very funny indeed.
Kelli went out of her way to buy some gifts. She had a bumper sticker with "Proud to be an American", a box of Hostess cupcakes I have never had and an American flag. True to American economic model of out sourcing everything, this American flag proudly displayed a sticker "Made in China" on it. Ha, ha, funny. Nothing is made in US of A anymore, not even it's own flag.
Well, it was a fun evening overall. Creatively planned and thought out. What a great bunch of friends!! Oh, I would have loved to have made it to the baseball game now I see the whole scheme of things. The evening wasn't made any less because of it though.
The only thing I know was that I was to show up at 2:30 because Aidan has a baseball practice at 3:00pm. I planned to bring my long lens camera to take some action shots. It should be cool. Well, knowing me, I was somehow running late, I guess. No one was home when I showed up at the door at 2:10. I might have gotten the time wrong, or whatever. I also know they will be back at about 4:30pm, so I window shopped downtown Los Gatos. A pretty trendy downtown, with a lot of expensive stores. Window shop was all I can do.
Little did I know, baseball was in the whole scheme of things. To commemorate me becoming an US citizen, they created an All-American Faire. When I showed up at Kelli's at 4:30, she was busy in the kitchen, making two Apple Pies, from scratch. At this moment I was still rather clueless. I rolled up my sleeves and doved in to peeling apples and rolling out doughs. Next Maribel and Steve showed up with dinner ingredients. They bought all-american, old-fashioned Hot Dogs. Okay, now I see the pattern. So we are having a good old American dinner. Appetizer was Nachos with Velveeta cheese. Then Bob and Yvette showed up with KFC hot wings. Hot Dogs were served with Chili, relishes and onions. Good god, we are celebrating American culture. Bless their hearts though, at least they have enough class to not serve me Budweiser. Mainly because they couldn't see themselves drinking it also. They graciously provided Sierra Neveda instead.
After dinner, the tables were cleared for Easter egg decorating, for Sunday is Easter. Another western custom. After that came entertainment by the kids. Grant sang "Yankee Doddle Dandy", everyone sang "America the Beautiful". And during dessert, Danielle and Sarah sang "Miss American Pie". Well, short verses of it. They also included Weird Al's Star Wars version of it. Very funny indeed.
Kelli went out of her way to buy some gifts. She had a bumper sticker with "Proud to be an American", a box of Hostess cupcakes I have never had and an American flag. True to American economic model of out sourcing everything, this American flag proudly displayed a sticker "Made in China" on it. Ha, ha, funny. Nothing is made in US of A anymore, not even it's own flag.
Well, it was a fun evening overall. Creatively planned and thought out. What a great bunch of friends!! Oh, I would have loved to have made it to the baseball game now I see the whole scheme of things. The evening wasn't made any less because of it though.
Friday, March 25, 2005
On this day:
Thought #2
I came across this website Dailysnap via Daily Dose of Image. Both are excellent photoblogs. Dailysnap is run by Jessyel Ty Gonzalez and he has a quote on the end of his interview page that states: "Everyone is just a different shade of grey. Creativity is what sets you apart.
Profound. There are no right or wrong, nothing is just strictly black or white in this world. Everyone has a side to tell, everything is a shade of grey. Go mix your own shade.
Profound. There are no right or wrong, nothing is just strictly black or white in this world. Everyone has a side to tell, everything is a shade of grey. Go mix your own shade.
Friday, March 11, 2005
On this day:
I'm all US of A
On Thursday, the 10th of March, I swore my devotion, pledged my allegiance to the United States of America. Now I'm officially a citizen of this land of ours.
The day was quite a spectacle. The ceremony took place at Masonic Auditorium in San Francisco. When I got there, I was asked to see my Alien Registration Card and told which section to sit. When I got to the door, it was requested I hand over my card. I handed it to the man, was told to take my seat, and he promptly walked away with my card. I never felt so naked, without the identification card that had identified me as a foreigner all these years. Where was he going to with that card of mine? What does he plan to do with it? How is he going to find me to hand it back to me among all these people? I sat anxiously, fidgetting endlessly.
I was running a bit late. The ceremony had already started. They had welcomed everyone here and started on the March of American Flag, or something like it.
Previously on Tuesday, I had a chat with my cousin Susan, who also immigrated here and now an US citizen. She now sports an US passport. She related me a story she had when she was applying for a visa to China. Her US passport used to list her birth country as Taiwan, but China wouldn't grant her entry into China with that because it doesn't recognize Taiwan as a country. She was so mad, but she ended up changing it to China. I guess I won't be going to China anytime soon, unless they change their policy. Yeah, I'm kind of stubborn like that. They can't take away my birth right.
The Master of Ceremony was applauding everyone for taking this important step to becoming an United States of America citizen. There were 1388 of us from a total of 108 countries. For a lot of the audieneces, it has meant a life-long goal, a dream come true. For a lot of these people, it also meant they can start the long process of getting all their family members to immigrate here. There was a certain vibe in the air, I couldn't deny the energy and felt swept up by the significance of it all. The MC really tried to make this a meaningful and dignified event. He would have called up each of us to hand us our certificate, but with this many people, it was not feasible. So instead, he called each country, alphabetically, and have us stand as our countries were called. Now the "A's" and "B's" were mostly some obscure countries. I must say I was surprised to see people from Australia and Canada. What in god's name would you want to be here? I want to be there, not here. When he called China, about a fourth of the room stood up. Now, from the Tuesday conversation I had with Susan, I'm sitting there, racing cross my mind, was "I'm not standing up for China. I'm not standing up for China. He better call Taiwan. He better call Taiwan. Or else... or else, I'll... I'll, I don't know what I'll do. Interesting enough, he called out Hong Kong. Hong Kong was never a country. I'm wondering how many people from China was really for Hong Kong. I had to anxiously wait until "T". At long last he called Taiwan. And let me tell you this, I have never stood prouder as a Taiwanese at that particular moment.
One of the thing that always held me back from applying for citizenship is the fact that the government required me to denounce my birth country and pledge my sole allegiance to United States. I've always felt as if I'm turning my back on a custom, culture and heritage. Never did I expect that I couldn't have celebrated my heritage anymore than that day, standing there as a Taiwanese. Who would have know that I was able to celebrate my heritage as I become an US citizen.
On Friday, my freelance customer, Nancy unexpectedly send a huge flower bouquet to the office, and my boss went out and bought a cake to celebrate the event too. Next weekend, Kelli, Brian, Bob, Yvette, Maribel and Steve are throwing me a dinner at Kelli's house to celebrate also. I'm forever grateful to all these friends for making it to be a big deal for me. The significance of becoming an US citizen might have escaped me without all these.
Yes, it is a big deal. Yes, I'm an American. No, I'm still every part as Taiwanese as before. My status has changed, but I have not. I know, still stubborn in my own ways, only now, it's about other things.
The day was quite a spectacle. The ceremony took place at Masonic Auditorium in San Francisco. When I got there, I was asked to see my Alien Registration Card and told which section to sit. When I got to the door, it was requested I hand over my card. I handed it to the man, was told to take my seat, and he promptly walked away with my card. I never felt so naked, without the identification card that had identified me as a foreigner all these years. Where was he going to with that card of mine? What does he plan to do with it? How is he going to find me to hand it back to me among all these people? I sat anxiously, fidgetting endlessly.
I was running a bit late. The ceremony had already started. They had welcomed everyone here and started on the March of American Flag, or something like it.
Previously on Tuesday, I had a chat with my cousin Susan, who also immigrated here and now an US citizen. She now sports an US passport. She related me a story she had when she was applying for a visa to China. Her US passport used to list her birth country as Taiwan, but China wouldn't grant her entry into China with that because it doesn't recognize Taiwan as a country. She was so mad, but she ended up changing it to China. I guess I won't be going to China anytime soon, unless they change their policy. Yeah, I'm kind of stubborn like that. They can't take away my birth right.
The Master of Ceremony was applauding everyone for taking this important step to becoming an United States of America citizen. There were 1388 of us from a total of 108 countries. For a lot of the audieneces, it has meant a life-long goal, a dream come true. For a lot of these people, it also meant they can start the long process of getting all their family members to immigrate here. There was a certain vibe in the air, I couldn't deny the energy and felt swept up by the significance of it all. The MC really tried to make this a meaningful and dignified event. He would have called up each of us to hand us our certificate, but with this many people, it was not feasible. So instead, he called each country, alphabetically, and have us stand as our countries were called. Now the "A's" and "B's" were mostly some obscure countries. I must say I was surprised to see people from Australia and Canada. What in god's name would you want to be here? I want to be there, not here. When he called China, about a fourth of the room stood up. Now, from the Tuesday conversation I had with Susan, I'm sitting there, racing cross my mind, was "I'm not standing up for China. I'm not standing up for China. He better call Taiwan. He better call Taiwan. Or else... or else, I'll... I'll, I don't know what I'll do. Interesting enough, he called out Hong Kong. Hong Kong was never a country. I'm wondering how many people from China was really for Hong Kong. I had to anxiously wait until "T". At long last he called Taiwan. And let me tell you this, I have never stood prouder as a Taiwanese at that particular moment.
One of the thing that always held me back from applying for citizenship is the fact that the government required me to denounce my birth country and pledge my sole allegiance to United States. I've always felt as if I'm turning my back on a custom, culture and heritage. Never did I expect that I couldn't have celebrated my heritage anymore than that day, standing there as a Taiwanese. Who would have know that I was able to celebrate my heritage as I become an US citizen.
On Friday, my freelance customer, Nancy unexpectedly send a huge flower bouquet to the office, and my boss went out and bought a cake to celebrate the event too. Next weekend, Kelli, Brian, Bob, Yvette, Maribel and Steve are throwing me a dinner at Kelli's house to celebrate also. I'm forever grateful to all these friends for making it to be a big deal for me. The significance of becoming an US citizen might have escaped me without all these.
Yes, it is a big deal. Yes, I'm an American. No, I'm still every part as Taiwanese as before. My status has changed, but I have not. I know, still stubborn in my own ways, only now, it's about other things.
Sunday, March 06, 2005
On this day:
Thoughts #1
Yestarday, Saturday, I went for an extended walk along Ocean Beach in San Francisco. Actually I was at first heading out over to Fort Funston for a field day photographing hang gliders. The plan went bust because I forgot to bring along the flash memory card for my camera. Instead I headed down toward the beach, being a most gorgeous day. Over head I spotted some hang gliders. To the immediate left I spotted 2 soaring seagulls. with their wings spread just like so gliding through the sky gracefully.
Thought: Hang gliders imitating bird. Human has forever been imitating nature, researching the laws of nature, modifying nature according to our needs. But, what is it that keeps us from becoming one with nature??
Thought: Hang gliders imitating bird. Human has forever been imitating nature, researching the laws of nature, modifying nature according to our needs. But, what is it that keeps us from becoming one with nature??
Saturday, March 05, 2005
On this day:
Uncoherent Thoughts
I've been remiss lately. I've been working through some crap that I wish I could pawn them on some people. Is there a therapist so good that I could just drop my crap in his/her lap and come retrieve it later all put back in a coherent manner, good as new? That would be a godsend at this very moment.
Last night, I had a serious case of insomnia where my mind is racing with thoughts of him. I've been reading materials about relationship and love. I've been reading blogs about life in general. The thing about blogs is that there are so many well written thoughts to ponder on all day. It heightens and spotlights some of my own thoughts and feelings. I don't know if these are all helping or if these are making me internalize all my feelings.
Before I lay my head down to rest, I remembered the latest habit I started doing when we would say "good night" to each other. I would add "see you in the morning". One time he asked why I say that and where was I going. I replied with I will be going into my dreams. Well, last night, laying in bed, I started to think it was more than just that. The dream state is something I have no conscious control over. I could spend my conscious waking moments thinking of circumstances, happenings that revolved around me, him, us. In a dream state, the one part of being that I might not be able to have him in my thoughts. Thus, I bid him farewell til morning.
This morning, I was awaken from a phone call early. It usually is when I am abruptly awaken that I would remember my dreams. Well, what do you know. I dreamt about him. At the moment of waking up, the dream was somewhat a crumble, jumble bits and pieces that I tried hard to will it into a fitting story, like working out a puzzle. By the time I jump into the shower, and soaped up, the dream made absolutely no coherent sense at all. I don't really even know where to begin to recount the dream. I envy people who could remember their dreams.
Please send me a therapist. Sometimes I want to scream and crawl out of my skin so bad. Sometimes I'm so tired of being good and decent. Sometimes I wish I could be deceitful, mean, bitter, and just angry. But then, I would still need therapy.
I would never had imagined instead of saying "good night, see you in the morning." I would be saying "good night, see you in my dreams."
Sleep tight!
Last night, I had a serious case of insomnia where my mind is racing with thoughts of him. I've been reading materials about relationship and love. I've been reading blogs about life in general. The thing about blogs is that there are so many well written thoughts to ponder on all day. It heightens and spotlights some of my own thoughts and feelings. I don't know if these are all helping or if these are making me internalize all my feelings.
Before I lay my head down to rest, I remembered the latest habit I started doing when we would say "good night" to each other. I would add "see you in the morning". One time he asked why I say that and where was I going. I replied with I will be going into my dreams. Well, last night, laying in bed, I started to think it was more than just that. The dream state is something I have no conscious control over. I could spend my conscious waking moments thinking of circumstances, happenings that revolved around me, him, us. In a dream state, the one part of being that I might not be able to have him in my thoughts. Thus, I bid him farewell til morning.
This morning, I was awaken from a phone call early. It usually is when I am abruptly awaken that I would remember my dreams. Well, what do you know. I dreamt about him. At the moment of waking up, the dream was somewhat a crumble, jumble bits and pieces that I tried hard to will it into a fitting story, like working out a puzzle. By the time I jump into the shower, and soaped up, the dream made absolutely no coherent sense at all. I don't really even know where to begin to recount the dream. I envy people who could remember their dreams.
Please send me a therapist. Sometimes I want to scream and crawl out of my skin so bad. Sometimes I'm so tired of being good and decent. Sometimes I wish I could be deceitful, mean, bitter, and just angry. But then, I would still need therapy.
I would never had imagined instead of saying "good night, see you in the morning." I would be saying "good night, see you in my dreams."
Sleep tight!
