American Pride

Several months ago, US was a major customer of mine at work; an interesting country where i still wanted to visit some time for those marvelous attractions i missed to visit eg. great canyon, yosemite, miami beach, and disneyland; a place where my beloved one lived.

We didn't care much about US news except for George Bush vs. iraq war and hurricanes or snow storms- for travel concern. We used US dollars only as a "term" in doing business or calculating costs, and an index for the value of Taiwan dollars and overseas fund. We looked at American magazines or store catalogs only for getting to learn our customers' preference. We watched some good Hollywood movies and talked about sex & the city or desperate housewives. We drank Starbucks coffee and ate in McDonald's sometimes.

A lot of local people had once been educated or have been eager to study in the US, and obsessed everything from the US. A lot of American born Taiwanese came back to Taiwan for work in either education or entertainment industry, and behaved like they're superior than all the locals. A lot of young people talked "yo!yo!you know..." or dressed in hip hop style and thought they're "cool". A lot of young girls wore less and less, swung their butt and boobs in public, and slept with different white guys who they met in bars. Old generation would still tell you that US is a dream land and pray for children to be able to live in US one day.

A few months later, I came to live with my beloved one in the US and also got married here. US is no longer my customer and on the contrary, I became its consumer. I don't have choice but have to care about US news and suffer from high consumption rate. I can't refuse but only follow strict immigration laws and country regulations. I find weak statement or few proofs to persuade people that living in the US sucks. I failed in the argument with my husband that kids can also get good education and stay high competitiveness from other countries than in the US. I can't run away but only stay smile when people around you think and behave superior than anyone else in the world.

US might be the best or the strongest in whatever aspects you guys have learnt or taught, but i only wanna ask... SO WHAT? Those who are the wisest, the kindest, the richest, the mightiest, who have done the greatest achievement to human beings, are not always or even are not from the US, and it also doesn't mean that the "best" schools provide the best courses, the "best" enterperprises provide the best jobs or welfares, the "best" hospitals provide the best medical treatment, and the "best" country provide the best environment.

This world has taught me there's no socalled the "best" or the "worst". The island we used to live is smaller than a state, but we have all kinds of extreme landforms which you might have to gather all 50 states to get. The people in the island can learn all kinds of skills or interests which you might have to fly several hours from this state to another state to get. All kinds of resources can be gotten in one min and every corner of the world can be reached with no problem. Having come out from this small island, I don't see any impossibility or sealed opportunity in the rest of this world. I can't imagine if i wasn't living in this small island, would my life still be so splendid?

Are you able to watch good European or Asian movies in cinemas in the US regularly? Are you able to set up small business casually merely for personal interests without paying tax? Are you able to do surfing/ diving as well as rock climbing/ river tracing in your living area? Are you able to get offical license or document done within 3 days? Are you able to reach to the same skill level but in much lower cost when learning instruments/ dancing/ painting? Are you able to live like a king in current salary in the US?

If not, where does that american pride come from?

New Update

I haven't updated this blog for almost a month. I'm not abandoned writing, neither this blog where i've cultivated for 4 years. I just don't have motivation on writing here. See if you're a mandarin speaker but have to speak english 24-7, would you still write your journal in english? I wouldn't.

Another reason is i don't have to tell my bf- now is my husband- my daily life any more. We're sharing same life and same story together now, why do i need to repeat the story again?

So i started working on my chinese blog regularly, for my mom and friends and those who care about me back home. It was great to write in my native language and share my stories with all the chinese readers, and the best of it is, i get to know a lot of people thru that blog and even don't need to go out.

I know some people are still reading this one so i will keep updating it somehow. No matter what i won't close it or let it die there. Oh by the way our "official" wedding ceremony was done last wed and it was very simple and casual but romantic and meaningful. It was an unforgettable experience but i still expect the reception parties in both taipei and cali beach. I still prefer to celebrate this big thing in life with a bunch of good friends and families. We'll definitely have big parties for everyone of you out there!:)

Oh one more thing, asad's sister got us a 40" LCD TV for both our wedding also his bday. We're truely appreciated it! Getting a giant plasma or LCD TV is actually in our plan and also might be done on july-forth sale, but now she's got us one what should we do in july-forth sale? And from now on we'll be stuck on tv even more or spending more time on zelda... Hehehe... good job girl... :P

I Love New York!

We are back from new york!

New york city hadn't attracted me that much until this trip. Perhaps it's nearly summer time that the weather is nicer and hotter, or perhaps i missed city life, nyc reminded me taipei the speed i used to walk and live on. The heat got me dizzy since the sec i went out from the buildings just like the way in taipei, the apartment buildings covered up half of the sky just like the way in taipei, the street stands took over the sidewalks in shopping areas just like the way in taipei, the yellow cabs ran crazily all over the whole city just like the way in taipei, the restaurants and entertainment sat in every corner just like the way in taipei, and the neon lights were always on 24-7-365 just like the way in taipei. i couldn't help imagining how wonderful the life would be if i had chance to live in nyc.

Until i sensed i was holding my bf's hand. It's a big hand which always protects me from harms and offers me security and happiness. And that's the reason i'm here. Then i realized nyc dream is only for single people or certain characteristics of groups like those women in sex & the city, those who can fully enjoy and take advantages of what nyc offers, no matter they're expensive designer shoes, admirable jobs, or crazy night fun. Then i found i cared more about whether there's big space, safe neighborhood, or natural environment for kids to play and run, instead of cool pubs, fun events, stylish shops, or good-looking guys.

i guess i'll just save nyc for my next life.

*******
It was a great trip and also a great surprise to some people from my bf's families. He didn't inform any of them his coming so we kept getting those stunning faces when he showed up. And of course they loved to see him even tho it was unexpected. The sister got an apple laptop as her bday gift, the little cousins got to beat up their big bro with tons of various quizzes, the aunt got to care for her nephew & niece again with delicious home food, and i got to meet his beloved sister (finally) and some of his family members in new jersey (unexpected to me as well).

Apart from those young people's hangouts, i had a great afternoon playing with his cousins and enjoying the aunt's warm hospitality.

Blah Blah Blah Blah....

The second month passed.

Just like all the couples, we quarreled sometimes, we argued sometimes, we didn't listen to each other occasionally, and we got mad with each other once in a while.

He still doesn't allow me to eat Mc Donald's, i still stop him buying unnecessary stuff only because it's cool. He still owns remote control, i'm still against tv. We still laugh at each other's fat belly, but still are too lazy to go to gym regularly. We still work on our laptops separately, but still stay close to each other all the time.

He's done pretty well in his job, and i've been idling at home. He goes to work in early morning, and i also get up at same time for having breakfast with him. He's been curious of how i spend my day, and i could only tell him time goes too fast for me to finish my things everyday. He makes good food, and i'm learning to cook better.

Giving up old single life style is not easy, but *symbiouning two's life styles is even harder. Fairy tales or romance fictions always only end up with "and they live happily ever after", but they never tell how and what happens afterwards in their "happy life". Because they love each other so much so nothing unhappy would happen? Because they're prince and princess and never have to worry about money or food? Because it's not writer's business you curious readers get to figure it out yourselves?

(*symbioun- to live together in a mutually beneficial relationship)

Don't get me wrong i'm not saying we don't live together happily, or i have any doubt about my bf. I'm pretty enjoying in our lives, and he is still the best and that right one to me. It's just that life sometimes can be tough, in which we might see each other as pain in the ass and wonder if one day in the future we would get hurt or one hurts the other unexpectedly. Good thing is, at the moment we chose to learn something from each quarrel, and try to find balance between our conflicts and manage it. When you're a grown-up it gets harder to change yourself, but we'd do our best to try, only for our significant one.

I'm going to be an officially married woman in the end of June. I still don't know what it means and how it's gonna change my current life except for no more cute guy pickups. For that reason i think i need a crazy hens party but all my girl friends are not here.... Arrr......**>_<** Can i postpone the party until i go back to taiwan?


*For all my girl friends...
Being with a right person would make you feel that everything you're doing with him seems to go unexpectedly smoothly or with lucks. You would sense the difference with going out with wrong guys, and feel much more comfortable to be yourself. You will definitely find that guy one day, as long as you don't keep sticking on wrong ones nor be afraid of pursuing potential ones. So stop compromising all the time to adapt to guys or you will have to keep compromising for the rest of your life. Wish you all find your Mr. Right soon!:)

Craziness

This is what happened when you live in US for over 2 months...



(BG music: FLCL sound track)

The Baby- Part 2

(The article is forwarded.)

A newborn's conversation with God...

A baby asked God, "They tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow, but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?"

God said, "Your angel will be waiting for you and will take care of you."

The child further inquired, "But tell me, here in heaven I don't have to do anything but sing and smile to be happy."

God said, "Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you. And you will feel your angel's love and be very happy."

Again the child asked, "And how am I going to be able to understand when people talk to me if I don't know the language?"

God said, "Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your angel will teach you how to speak."

"And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?" God said, "Your angel will place your hands together and will teach you how to pray."

"Who will protect me?" God said, "Your angel will defend you even if it means risking its life."

"But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore."

God said, "Your angel will always talk to you about Me and will teach you the way to come back to Me, even though I will always be next to you."

At that moment there was much peace in Heaven, but voices from Earth could be heard and the child hurriedly asked, "God, if I am to leave now, please tell me my angel's name.

"God said, "You will simply call her, "Mom."

****************************************************************************
When she was 4 days old...

- Can I have milk now?

- Shiiiih... Let me see how to get out of here....

- I just wanted o play with my toes...

- Yeah... I remember this chest....

- Where is the baby...? Here is the baby!!

- Ahahwalalalala~~~ come on sing with me~~~

The Baby

Here're the pix of my beautiful little niece:

Girl Rocks!

May 9, 2007 8am, my little niece was born!

She's the first baby in my direct family, she is my younger brother's first child.

She is a 3kg big baby, she was caesarean born.

She was supposed to come out in 2 weeks, she turned out to be a Taurus girl.

She's very cute even since the 1 min she's born, according to her daddy.

The whole family is very happy, as well as her 84 yr old great grandmom.

I will try to get the photos soon, and post up to share with you guys.

.......Oh my god! I'm an Aunt now!:D

Gift

My friend Genie came over last weekend and brought me this gift.

She's now temporarily staying in UK, and she had this idea of the gift she wanted to buy for me, but it couldn't be found in UK, so she asked her mom to buy in taiwan and brought to US while they traveled with tour group to west coast.

I love this gift. It really surprised me and I almost burst out tears after we opened the wrapping paper. In fact it's not common for us taiwanese to buy this kind of decoration. I know some people buy hello kitty couple for friends who're going to get married, or some random couple characters, or couple dolls, but I've never seen anyone getting gift like this kind. I really love it and it means a lot to me.

Thanks a lot Genie! Your gift is the first couple thing and first congrates we received in our house! Now I finally am getting more and more used to the "couple" type of living style, and things have been working out much better than i expected. Oh by the way, my bf proposed last saturday. :) So i guess i'm an engaged woman now... ?

(Wow... that title still scares me a bit... hehehe... :P)

Mmm... let's get some money lucks and sweep away bad ones...

SF Cherry Blossom Festival

It was a warm sunny Sunday, and i had a chance to get to see one of the biggest parades in San Francisco- Cherry Blossom Festival in Japan Town.

That was my first time to Japan town. I didn't know there's this one corner in san francisco city that everything's just decorated exactly in japaense style and sells exact japanese stuff. Once in a while i thought i was walking in one of the streets in japan. Guys and girls dressed japanese traditional clothes and kimino passing us by, no matter they're asians or latinos or caucasions or blacks, no matter the style is from Tokugawa era (德川家康時代) or Ninja (忍者) uniform or animation characters, no matter what age group they're at. It was like everything you know about japan suddenly showed up in front of you at the same time, but they're not purely japan but mixed with all colors of skins and all styles of cultures. A lot of contradictory and conflicts but all stay in a peaceful status. I can't really describe that awkward feelings of the whole scenes.

Anyway it's quite fun and a new experience to me. You can see more photos from here. Enjoy!

- Japanese sword contest

- Babies in the parade

- Energetic god servants

- Kimono dancers

- Anime characters

- Crazy clown dancers

- Nude butt wine makers

North Cali Coast

Heard of this saying, that when you find all the doors in front of you seem to be closed, God will always open a window for you. And this is how i felt last weekend.

It was the first weekend my bf was away from home ever since i came to bay area. i was a bit nervous with the unpredictable upcoming days, especially the two lonely weekends. The weather had been beautiful, and i didn't feel like staying home watching tv, so i called his best friend steve to see if he's up to a hike. He didn't answer the phone neither answer my message. The next morning, still no answer. So i called my friend sally in toronto for some chat, but she didn't pick up her mobile either. i lay on the bed, kept thinking what i could do on my own today, and finally decided to take a walk to safeway and maybe do some shopping, the phone rang.

It wasn't sally. It was steve. he found the missing calls and messages just now, and surprisingly he agreed to go hiking. It felt like a strike of sunshine came out thru heavy clouds, and the first thing i thought was "Ya!! God heard me again!:)" So i jumped up from the bed at once and did a quick wash and got ready to wait for steve's coming.

We went to the coast and hiked up to watch point. It was a short walk around 1 mile but the hill was all empty where you can see the whole sky and the ocean. Here let me show you some good shots of beautiful north cali coast....

Life Is Getting Better!

Today when i sat in the train on my way home, i suddenly had this feeling that, LIFE IS SOOOO GOOD WHEN YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO AND WHERE TO GO!

The train was packed with off-work workers. Everyone carried their backpacks or suitcases, reading magazines or browsing on computer or talking on mobile phones, looking tired and relaxed, and i was one of them.

Before going home i popped in the mall for a bit looking for walking shoes. i ended up with buying these nice looking w/ 1 inch heels, black chammy cover on the middle front and the rest in faux leather, clearance ecco shoes in only $59.99 (original price $130). People went out of the mall walking toward parking lots w/ shopping bags and car keys, i was one of them.

On the road the traffic was a little bit bad, and cars were much more than i expected. i changed lanes before hitting the streets i was supposed to make turns. i didn't miss any chance and seemed to know the way like others did. Everyone here drives, and i was one of them.

As soon as i got home, i started cooking and turned the tv on. i watched Temptation Island, American's Top Model, The Simpson's, Will & Grace, and other reality shows and soaps. i talked online, i searched directions on google maps; i went to bed around 11pm, i got up at 7am; i wore flat sole shoes and fleece jacket, i carried lunch box. i'm getting more and more like one of them.

My God... I'M LIVING IN THE US!!

Yes I Got One...

So i decided to take the job.

The GM guy and I have gone thru 3 times interview and numerous msn talks about this job. The first time he replied to my email and talked to me on msn, i felt very grateful to him and was expecting this job very much. The 2nd interview went well and i was quite excited at being able to get the job so soon. But after the 3rd time, the 4th time, the conversations on msn... i started to fear this guy and got tired of all the negotiation about the shitty salary and responsibility and his expectation... etc. i started to dislike this job and worry about the future if i took this job. Now even i've made up my mind to give it a try, i still got a little bit hesitance if this is a right thing to do.

Sometimes being deliberated is good but sometimes it's only a waste of time and effort. i kept telling him "you get what you pay for", and extra several hundreds of money is nothing to your company, but to people who work for you, it's somewhat a lot of money and you might be able to get more loyalty or dedication comparing to being stingy to them. He kept saying it's a risk that perhaps he'd have to find a new person and do the same things in 2 months again. But sir, if this small risk took you 2 months to think (it's been 2 months since he first contacted me), i really doubt how big business you're able to handle in the future....

Anyway, for the concerns of my personal interests, i'll still take the job. i'll also do my job well since you pay for it, but i'll just do as much as you pay for. You want to try me for 2 months, i'm fine with it, and i'll also try you in these 2 months. Let's see if we both are able to offer each other more, then decide if we go on working together or not.

Deja Vu

This is the news from yesterday's world journal (世界日報). It caught my attention not because of the contents, but because of the "deja vu" of this scene.

Four years ago while i was walking in finance district in san francisco, i witnessed a protest by accident (see the 3rd post of my old blog "the war"). That was my first time stepping on this continent and the city of sfo. Four years later i came back again, in same season, at same area, staying in same one's apt, reading same news.

Everything is so familiar to me yet in different time zone. Several days ago i got off the airplane and it was st patrick's day, the same day four years ago we drove out to a bar in san jose for my first drink and first pool play in west coast. At that time you were only a nice stranger who tried to be a kind host to show this friend's friend around and make sure she had fun. now you're my closest one and still nice and kind and make sure everything's fine for me.

Life is really amazing and unpredictable, and this is why being alive is so good. Oh and i'm very glad and grateful to have met you.:)

Home in SFO

I finally arrived at san francisco airport.

In this 15 hrs indirect flight, i've got the luggage to be repacked while checking in (overweight 6 kgs from the total limitation 64kgs); i've got to take out my bear who's with me for 7 years and leave to my mom; i've got to sit next to a BIG american guy in the flight to HK; i've got the hand-carried bags to go thru the xray and checking point 4 times (1 at CKS, 1 at transfer gate in HK, 1 at boarding gate in HK, and 1 at US customs), and luggage check twice (1 at CKS check-in counter, and 1 at US customs); i've got to sit in middle seat at middle row on flight to US; i've got 4 questions (what's the purpose to come to US? how long will you stay? can i see your ticket to go home? do you bring any food?) at US customs and a 6-month stay visa; i've got to move total almost 80 kg luggages (including handbags) from collection band to the trolley, from trolley to the xray platform in US customs, and from xray platform back to the trolley again. Yeah... i've finally got to get in to san francisco (bay area).

- The luxurious western style VIP room (The More) for priority pass holder in CKS airport

- The food section in The More VIP room

Asad came to pick me up in the airport then we went for a quick lunch then straight back home. Surprisingly i got several welcome presents at home- the new stylish vase with pussy willow, a bouquet of fire & ice roses on dining table, some cool t-shirts and souvenirs he collected for me from his biz trips, and a clean house which was kind of messy for weeks before this morning. There're too many surprises i don't know if i missed any to note down here.

And here're some photos of our small apartment. It's at 2nd floor in an apartment complex in foster city. It's considered tiny comparing to those he lived before, but it's quite cozy, quiet, and full of sun light throughout the day. i love sunny house and luckily our bedroom has a big window to allow sun light to come in. The balcony is huge and maybe i will get a couple of folding chairs later then i can read books on it in sunny afternoon.

- Walk up the stairs to the right is our door, the upper one is our balcony and apartment.

- The living room (The vase looks so nice, isn't it?)

- The other angle of living room (TV and Balcony)

- The dining room (the roses are the welcome gift for me.:))

- The kitchen (the iron chief is making omelet breakfast)

- The cozy bedroom and my favorite window

- The walk-in closet (the left side is mine)

- Curious George