It's 10:30 p.m. and I'm about to start my new job, Mr. Mom. Chrissy just went to bed. She goes back to work tomorrow morning. Earlier, she gave me a ton of instructions for each kid and I probably retained maybe 10% of it. Regardless, I am now in charge.
Today was my last day at work before going on my vacation/paternity leave/bonding time...whatever you want to call it. The California Family Leave Act will pay you 5.3 hours/day for 6 weeks for you to bond with your baby during the first year, or care for another individual. You supplement it with 2.7 vacation hours to make up the full day. With all my vacation time plus comp time, I'm loaded up until the end of May. Yep, it will be 90 days before I have to go back to that paradise of mine called the office--May 29 to be exact.
But don't be jealous of me, I really prefer going to work instead. I've already done the stay-at-home thing during my 4 unemployed years and I can't say I miss it. I'm already dreading the diaper duty and mid-morning feedings again. True I cared for Colby since he was 3 months, but then I only had 2 kids and didn't have to transport any to/from school. With 3 kids, I'm clearly outnumbered. My role as the father will face its toughest test thus far. I may need to build a "time out" room in the garage. The one good thing is that my mom can help with cooking and cleaning, but my sleep-deprived nights are about to begin again.
I hope you had a good night's sleep.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Lunch at my desk again
I have this coworker that eats out for lunch everyday. Amazingly, he's been going to Togo's at least once a week for the last 7 years. Even more amazing is that he orders the same sandwich every time. Sometimes for variety he goes to Subway instead...and orders the same sandwich. He estimates in that time period, he's spent over $2000 eating 400 turkey swiss sandwiches.
I on the other hand, pack a lunch almost every day. I am very fortunate to have 2 cooks at home (my wife and my mom) that prepare dinner every night with plenty of leftovers. We have a microwave in the office and my cube is tucked away in the corner where I have lots of privacy. Believe me, I love to go out to eat, but I also enjoy the peace at my desk where I can quietly watch a video or work on my blog.
Furthermore, eating out takes effort. You have to drive, find parking, and wait for your food. So you waste time, gas and risk getting into an accident with all those other folks rushing back to the office. Plus, restaurant parking lots are notorious for getting door dings. You have 4 people getting out of the car, you just know some bonehead will let their door fly open.
When I do go out, my two favorite fast food places are still El Pollo Loco and Yoshinoya's Beef Bowl (from my college days). Both are somewhat healthy and they're not burgers. Lunch is especially enjoyable when I can meet up with friends outside of work. I think when you eat with coworkers, you can easily find yourself caught up in all the company criticism and gossip. So staying at my desk and keeping my thoughts to myself is better for everyone.
Today I ran across this article about how much money you save by not eating out. The annual cost savings is $988! (not to mention the health benefits too). You may not like the menu and I think the numbers may be a bit skewed (like how do you calculate 14 cents of mayo?), but the $6 avg. for lunch is accurate. I know half my readers are stay-at-home moms that often pack a lunch for their kids. Why not pack one for your hubby too? What better way to save money and show him how much you love him? Guys are like kids, we love those little packs of cookies and chips (not so much the carrot sticks). He'll appreciate your effort and save time. And with the remaining half of his lunch hour, he can try to sneak in a nap.
Frugal Lunch by Clever Dudette
And if you're feeling even more loving, here's another great read:
Clean Like A Maid
And for you slightly older folks, on the same site, you'll see that Mary Tyler Moore's house is for sale. The kitchen is incredible!
I on the other hand, pack a lunch almost every day. I am very fortunate to have 2 cooks at home (my wife and my mom) that prepare dinner every night with plenty of leftovers. We have a microwave in the office and my cube is tucked away in the corner where I have lots of privacy. Believe me, I love to go out to eat, but I also enjoy the peace at my desk where I can quietly watch a video or work on my blog.
Furthermore, eating out takes effort. You have to drive, find parking, and wait for your food. So you waste time, gas and risk getting into an accident with all those other folks rushing back to the office. Plus, restaurant parking lots are notorious for getting door dings. You have 4 people getting out of the car, you just know some bonehead will let their door fly open.
When I do go out, my two favorite fast food places are still El Pollo Loco and Yoshinoya's Beef Bowl (from my college days). Both are somewhat healthy and they're not burgers. Lunch is especially enjoyable when I can meet up with friends outside of work. I think when you eat with coworkers, you can easily find yourself caught up in all the company criticism and gossip. So staying at my desk and keeping my thoughts to myself is better for everyone.
Today I ran across this article about how much money you save by not eating out. The annual cost savings is $988! (not to mention the health benefits too). You may not like the menu and I think the numbers may be a bit skewed (like how do you calculate 14 cents of mayo?), but the $6 avg. for lunch is accurate. I know half my readers are stay-at-home moms that often pack a lunch for their kids. Why not pack one for your hubby too? What better way to save money and show him how much you love him? Guys are like kids, we love those little packs of cookies and chips (not so much the carrot sticks). He'll appreciate your effort and save time. And with the remaining half of his lunch hour, he can try to sneak in a nap.
Frugal Lunch by Clever Dudette
And if you're feeling even more loving, here's another great read:
Clean Like A Maid
And for you slightly older folks, on the same site, you'll see that Mary Tyler Moore's house is for sale. The kitchen is incredible!
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Rev. Joseph Tong 1924-2007
With great sadness, it was announced that Rev. Joseph Tong passed away early this morning.Rev. Tong served as our beloved Cantonese Pastor from 1975 to 1990. Unlike many other pastors that retires, he continued to attend CIBC. His wife, to this day, continues to be very active in serving in various ministries. She cared for both Rev. Tong and her mother. He suffered from a heart attack due to a high blood sugar level.
Monday Update: I spoke to Esther today and she sounded quite well. They are awaiting Enoch's arrival from China sometime this week. Esther is here alone and will be staying until the end of March to help her mom. She has limited access to email, but will check whenever possible, so you can just email her at weraj@hotmail.com. Please keep the family in your prayers during this difficult time.
Tuesday Update: The funeral is scheduled for Saturday, March 10, 2 p.m. at CIBC.
Friday, February 23, 2007
White Girls Can't Sing
I only watch 3 tv shows: Lost, Prison Break and American Idol. My evenings are often filled with fatherly duties and unexpected happenings, so thanks to my trusty ReplayTV and iPod, I can watch peacefully while I carpool, or at my desk during lunch.
This week I watched in horror as the guys sang. Out of the 12, only 3 guys were fairly good: Blake (beatbox), Phil (bald), and Chris (curly-fro). The others were unexciting, and some were downright painful to watch. Thanks to the ipod, I was able to skip through the performance and go straight to the judges.
The girls on the other hand, were quite good. The first singer Stephanie looked like a crossbreed between Fantasia and LaToya London. They're all pop and R&B singers, no country singers--man, I miss Kellie Pickler. There were at least 4 great performances, but unfortunately, only the minorities sang well. The white girls were terrible, really awful (except maybe Gina, who's not likable, and should not make the top 12, IMO). Fortunately for us, they'll be kicking off 2 at a time these next 3 weeks, so the pain is only temporary.
Last night Paul Kim (from San Jose) was the first to be eliminated. I don't think America is ready for an Asian idol anytime soon, let alone a barefoot Asian pool boy. Too bad, even though he butchered Careless Whispers, I thought he had a good voice. Fact is, his perceived fan base is nonexistent (Asian guys don't vote, and Asian girls only like white guys). The other unlucky ones were Rudy, Nicole and Amy--all forgettable. If you ever want to check on the voting status, check out this link for predictions: DialIdol.com. The software calls all the voting numbers and track the busy signals. It claims to be 87% accurate during the season, and 100% accurate picking the winner.
The season is still early, but so far I see no clear front runners. I think LaKisha is good, but we all remember what happened to Mandisa last year after Country Week. IMO, no one has the "whole package" of voice, charisma, and looks. In year's past we knew at Week #1 that Carrie Underwood and Katharine McPhee would make the finals. This year, not so. But either way, it's still great entertainment. 33 million viewers can't be wrong!
This week I watched in horror as the guys sang. Out of the 12, only 3 guys were fairly good: Blake (beatbox), Phil (bald), and Chris (curly-fro). The others were unexciting, and some were downright painful to watch. Thanks to the ipod, I was able to skip through the performance and go straight to the judges.
The girls on the other hand, were quite good. The first singer Stephanie looked like a crossbreed between Fantasia and LaToya London. They're all pop and R&B singers, no country singers--man, I miss Kellie Pickler. There were at least 4 great performances, but unfortunately, only the minorities sang well. The white girls were terrible, really awful (except maybe Gina, who's not likable, and should not make the top 12, IMO). Fortunately for us, they'll be kicking off 2 at a time these next 3 weeks, so the pain is only temporary.
Last night Paul Kim (from San Jose) was the first to be eliminated. I don't think America is ready for an Asian idol anytime soon, let alone a barefoot Asian pool boy. Too bad, even though he butchered Careless Whispers, I thought he had a good voice. Fact is, his perceived fan base is nonexistent (Asian guys don't vote, and Asian girls only like white guys). The other unlucky ones were Rudy, Nicole and Amy--all forgettable. If you ever want to check on the voting status, check out this link for predictions: DialIdol.com. The software calls all the voting numbers and track the busy signals. It claims to be 87% accurate during the season, and 100% accurate picking the winner.
The season is still early, but so far I see no clear front runners. I think LaKisha is good, but we all remember what happened to Mandisa last year after Country Week. IMO, no one has the "whole package" of voice, charisma, and looks. In year's past we knew at Week #1 that Carrie Underwood and Katharine McPhee would make the finals. This year, not so. But either way, it's still great entertainment. 33 million viewers can't be wrong!
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Year of the Pig
We've been celebrating this holiday my whole life and until now, I had no idea why we did the things we do. I found this great article explaining the Chinese customs. It was published 8 years ago, but the facts remain the same. Here are some excerpts:
Gung Hey Fat-Choy!: "Best Wishes for Great Wealth and Prosperity"
The foods themselves are selected mostly for their names as homonyms to prosperity, longevity, etc. Bak-choy sounds like the term for "great wealth," so a dish with bokchoy would be included. Oysters are called "Hao," which sounds like the word for "an auspicious occasion or event," and "Fu," as in tofu, sounds the same as "riches," so a tofu dish is always present.
Certain dishes are always included in the mix. Dumplings signify a long-lost wish for a happy family (and many male children). Dried oysters are for "all things good." Angel hair seaweed is for bringing prosperity, as is Yu Sheng Salad. Prawns are for liveliness and happiness. New Year or Pudding Cake is to ensure good luck with high hopes for the coming year.
As anticipated on my earlier post, we all gathered at my mom's house for our Chinese New Year dinner. It was the first party there in three years. With a few grandchildren missing, so still had 22 in attendance. My mom made her usual sesame balls, neen go (pudding cake), and vegetarian dishes. And in honor of the Year of the Pig, we really did pig out! The sesame balls were the crowd favorite. The inside is mostly hollow with a sweet red bean paste filling. I like it best when it's piping hot fresh out of the deep fryer. It's super super greasy, but such a guilty pleasure. I compare it to bucket of fried chicken where you only eat the skin. Three hours later, I already felt a zit coming.
The evening ended with a round of mahjong where I was the big winner (oh yeah!). MJ is the universal language in our family. Everyone plays, even some grandchildren, breaking down generational and cultural barriers. MJ is game of observation where you put on your poker-face and figure out what your neighbor is doing. Professional players always bluff and play defense. We, on the other hand, play with extreme arrogance and disrespect. We go for the biggest hands, regardless of risks (or reason) and take everyone down with you. Unlike poker where you can fold and get out, with MJ, you're all stuck, like in the back seat of a lousy driver. I have a great group of friends I play with that I would characterize as sharks, meaning that to play with us, you better have thick skin or else you'll get hurt.
On a different note, the main bathroom was finally completed Friday night (sorry, no before picture, too gross). The contractor replaced everything except the window, toilet and bathtub. Total cost for this: $2100. He gave me a great deal (considering I already paid him $20K for everything else). Now I'm having him replace our large living room window and rebuild our backyard patio. Man, if I just blogged about my mom's remodel, I would have a year's worth of content!
Gung Hey Fat-Choy!: "Best Wishes for Great Wealth and Prosperity"
The foods themselves are selected mostly for their names as homonyms to prosperity, longevity, etc. Bak-choy sounds like the term for "great wealth," so a dish with bokchoy would be included. Oysters are called "Hao," which sounds like the word for "an auspicious occasion or event," and "Fu," as in tofu, sounds the same as "riches," so a tofu dish is always present.
Certain dishes are always included in the mix. Dumplings signify a long-lost wish for a happy family (and many male children). Dried oysters are for "all things good." Angel hair seaweed is for bringing prosperity, as is Yu Sheng Salad. Prawns are for liveliness and happiness. New Year or Pudding Cake is to ensure good luck with high hopes for the coming year.
As anticipated on my earlier post, we all gathered at my mom's house for our Chinese New Year dinner. It was the first party there in three years. With a few grandchildren missing, so still had 22 in attendance. My mom made her usual sesame balls, neen go (pudding cake), and vegetarian dishes. And in honor of the Year of the Pig, we really did pig out! The sesame balls were the crowd favorite. The inside is mostly hollow with a sweet red bean paste filling. I like it best when it's piping hot fresh out of the deep fryer. It's super super greasy, but such a guilty pleasure. I compare it to bucket of fried chicken where you only eat the skin. Three hours later, I already felt a zit coming.The evening ended with a round of mahjong where I was the big winner (oh yeah!). MJ is the universal language in our family. Everyone plays, even some grandchildren, breaking down generational and cultural barriers. MJ is game of observation where you put on your poker-face and figure out what your neighbor is doing. Professional players always bluff and play defense. We, on the other hand, play with extreme arrogance and disrespect. We go for the biggest hands, regardless of risks (or reason) and take everyone down with you. Unlike poker where you can fold and get out, with MJ, you're all stuck, like in the back seat of a lousy driver. I have a great group of friends I play with that I would characterize as sharks, meaning that to play with us, you better have thick skin or else you'll get hurt.
On a different note, the main bathroom was finally completed Friday night (sorry, no before picture, too gross). The contractor replaced everything except the window, toilet and bathtub. Total cost for this: $2100. He gave me a great deal (considering I already paid him $20K for everything else). Now I'm having him replace our large living room window and rebuild our backyard patio. Man, if I just blogged about my mom's remodel, I would have a year's worth of content!
Friday, February 16, 2007
Freebie Friday
Today I found a few freebies online that I would like to share with you. I'm not sure I'll be able to find freebies every Friday, but if I do, I'll gladly pass them along. Enjoy:
Free Pancakes at IHOP on Tuesday, February 20.
OK, you're getting 4 days advance notice on this one. A maple-drenched shortstack may be just the perfect solution to wash away all that Chinese New Year vegetarian aftertaste. They will ask for a donation to the Children's Miracle Network, so depending on yourcheapness generosity, you may not come out ahead, but you should feel good about helping a worthy cause.
Free 411 Calling
If you're still paying when you dial 411 then you need to add this phone number to your cell phone: 1-800-FREE-411. Usually companies will charge you up to $1.25 just for using 411 to find a phone number. With 1-800-FREE-411 you don’t pay a dime. How is it free? Well there is a 15 second ad before you get an operator, that’s it.
Free Oasis Mouthwash Sample
If you suffer from dry mouth Oasis mouthwash can provide relief. Many people get dry mouth when taking many over the counter or prescription drugs which can cause some discomfort. While supplies last, no coupon is necessary.
Free Massive Magazine subscription
For the first 10,000 people who sign up. Massive Magazine is geared towards massive multiplayer online games. This includes hugely popular games like World of Warcraft and Ultima Online. Great for you childless guys.
Free PC Magazine subscription
For all you peecee users. Actually, this magazine covers the Mac quite a bit with unbiased glowing reviews. If your stack of literature is getting old in your bathroom, this will be a nice addition. You will have to answer a lengthy questionnaire, so get ready to click and click and click.
Free Pancakes at IHOP on Tuesday, February 20.
OK, you're getting 4 days advance notice on this one. A maple-drenched shortstack may be just the perfect solution to wash away all that Chinese New Year vegetarian aftertaste. They will ask for a donation to the Children's Miracle Network, so depending on your
Free 411 Calling
If you're still paying when you dial 411 then you need to add this phone number to your cell phone: 1-800-FREE-411. Usually companies will charge you up to $1.25 just for using 411 to find a phone number. With 1-800-FREE-411 you don’t pay a dime. How is it free? Well there is a 15 second ad before you get an operator, that’s it.
Free Oasis Mouthwash Sample
If you suffer from dry mouth Oasis mouthwash can provide relief. Many people get dry mouth when taking many over the counter or prescription drugs which can cause some discomfort. While supplies last, no coupon is necessary.
Free Massive Magazine subscription
For the first 10,000 people who sign up. Massive Magazine is geared towards massive multiplayer online games. This includes hugely popular games like World of Warcraft and Ultima Online. Great for you childless guys.
Free PC Magazine subscription
For all you peecee users. Actually, this magazine covers the Mac quite a bit with unbiased glowing reviews. If your stack of literature is getting old in your bathroom, this will be a nice addition. You will have to answer a lengthy questionnaire, so get ready to click and click and click.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Why Blog?
I've wanted to blog ever since I read my friend's blog about his China trip several years ago to adopt his baby girl. It was like peering into their private thoughts and immediately sharing in their daily struggles and triumphs. I would pray for them and look forward to the next day's entry to see if the prayer was answered. Their blog kept us close to them even though they were alone on the other side of the globe.
I recently ran across the article below. It talks about the many benefits of keeping a journal. Great reasons to justify my madness.
10 Reasons to Keep a Journal
Here are my top 5 reasons:
I've gotten lots of feedback from many of you (thank you, keep them coming), so our relationships are improving also. Through this blog, I've reconnected with many of you (and learned of your own toilet stories!). Hopefully you'll find my blog entertaining and time well spent. If not, at the very least, this can force you to take a 2-minute break from work.
If you ever considered blogging or private journaling, I would encourage you to explore it. It's hard to explain the therapeutic benefits of self-expression, but it's definitely there. Think you have no time? Perhaps you need to slow down and take a mental inventory of your busy life. It's good for your mind and good for your health. And don't forget to take your naps too! Happy Blogging.
I recently ran across the article below. It talks about the many benefits of keeping a journal. Great reasons to justify my madness.
10 Reasons to Keep a Journal
Here are my top 5 reasons:
- Improve Your Health
- Reduce Stress
- Stronger Relationships
- Personal Growth
- Better Focus
I've gotten lots of feedback from many of you (thank you, keep them coming), so our relationships are improving also. Through this blog, I've reconnected with many of you (and learned of your own toilet stories!). Hopefully you'll find my blog entertaining and time well spent. If not, at the very least, this can force you to take a 2-minute break from work.
If you ever considered blogging or private journaling, I would encourage you to explore it. It's hard to explain the therapeutic benefits of self-expression, but it's definitely there. Think you have no time? Perhaps you need to slow down and take a mental inventory of your busy life. It's good for your mind and good for your health. And don't forget to take your naps too! Happy Blogging.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Valentine's Day
Upon doing my research on planning this annual ritual I came across this great article about Valentine's Day. It's about what women expect on this special day and how not to disappoint. It's very well written and a fun read:
How to avoid sleeping on the couch
If you're stressing over this, and the florist is crowded, remember Costco has flowers for cheap. A dozen roses (in various colors) cost $13.99. A deluxe mixed bouquet is $14.99 and an arrangement in a vase is $35.99. Go early (like at lunch) because if they run out when you go after work, you'll really be stressed!
If you have some creativity, you can make your own card. All you need is too find a nice photo and have access to a color printer. It doesn't have to be great, as long as you showed thought and effort in doing it. She'll appreciate whatever cheesy ideas you may have. And if you're not the super romantic type (uptight, unexpressive, Asian male, like me), make it a card from the family. You'll still get all the credit, and your kids won't feel left out. Like the article said, effort, will score lots of points. Funny, in the past I did make her some CD with 80's music...
If you're super busy with meetings all day, you can (at the very least) send your honey a FREE instant electronic card to show that you're thinking of her. She'll think, "What a nice surprise. I'm sure this took at least 1o minutes of thought." Here is a link you can use:
Top Ten Free E-Card Sites
Hopefully you'll go home tonight with anticipation and not trepidation. If you think your man needs some encouragement, feel free to point them here. Or I can always send them a note on your behalf. Happy Valentine's Day.
How to avoid sleeping on the couch
If you're stressing over this, and the florist is crowded, remember Costco has flowers for cheap. A dozen roses (in various colors) cost $13.99. A deluxe mixed bouquet is $14.99 and an arrangement in a vase is $35.99. Go early (like at lunch) because if they run out when you go after work, you'll really be stressed!
If you have some creativity, you can make your own card. All you need is too find a nice photo and have access to a color printer. It doesn't have to be great, as long as you showed thought and effort in doing it. She'll appreciate whatever cheesy ideas you may have. And if you're not the super romantic type (uptight, unexpressive, Asian male, like me), make it a card from the family. You'll still get all the credit, and your kids won't feel left out. Like the article said, effort, will score lots of points. Funny, in the past I did make her some CD with 80's music...If you're super busy with meetings all day, you can (at the very least) send your honey a FREE instant electronic card to show that you're thinking of her. She'll think, "What a nice surprise. I'm sure this took at least 1o minutes of thought." Here is a link you can use:
Top Ten Free E-Card Sites
Hopefully you'll go home tonight with anticipation and not trepidation. If you think your man needs some encouragement, feel free to point them here. Or I can always send them a note on your behalf. Happy Valentine's Day.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Guilty No More
I just HAD to share this article posted today in the New York Times and the Houston Chronicle. I printed it out and placed copies in our break room and in my boss' inbox. I emailed it to my union rep for future contract negotiations and I'm sharing this with you.
Here are some excerpts:
In a study of more than 23,000 Greek men and women ages 20 to 86, researchers found that napping at least three times a week for a half-hour was associated with a significantly decreased risk of death from heart disease. After controlling for factors like smoking, body mass index, physical activity and diet, the researchers found that people who regularly took a siesta had a 37 percent lower coronary death rate than those who never napped. The effect was even greater in working men.
Napping fewer than three times a week was also associated with reduced risk, but the effect was not statistically significant. When the researchers restricted the analysis to working men who napped regularly, they found a 50 percent reduction...
I'm big on napping. But I rarely ever get to do so. If traffic is good going home, I can sneak a 30 minute nap before dinner. When I carpool, I try to nap, but the stop and go traffic makes my head bob back and forth. At work I occassionally doze off, but I wouldn't call it napping because it's only in 5 minute spurts (and my lousy phone keeps ringing!). Today I actually passed out before lunch due to my sick child at home keeping me up the night before. Fortunately I have friends at my fingertips (via IM) to keep me awake--thanks Mary!
I often feel guilty for napping because I think of all the lost productivity and the chores still awaiting me. But now that it's proven to be preventative medicine, I may need to reassess my daily routines. I can't think of a better way to cut down the risks of heart disease. Now if I can only find a way to cut down on the junk food...
Here are some excerpts:
In a study of more than 23,000 Greek men and women ages 20 to 86, researchers found that napping at least three times a week for a half-hour was associated with a significantly decreased risk of death from heart disease. After controlling for factors like smoking, body mass index, physical activity and diet, the researchers found that people who regularly took a siesta had a 37 percent lower coronary death rate than those who never napped. The effect was even greater in working men.
Napping fewer than three times a week was also associated with reduced risk, but the effect was not statistically significant. When the researchers restricted the analysis to working men who napped regularly, they found a 50 percent reduction...
I'm big on napping. But I rarely ever get to do so. If traffic is good going home, I can sneak a 30 minute nap before dinner. When I carpool, I try to nap, but the stop and go traffic makes my head bob back and forth. At work I occassionally doze off, but I wouldn't call it napping because it's only in 5 minute spurts (and my lousy phone keeps ringing!). Today I actually passed out before lunch due to my sick child at home keeping me up the night before. Fortunately I have friends at my fingertips (via IM) to keep me awake--thanks Mary!
I often feel guilty for napping because I think of all the lost productivity and the chores still awaiting me. But now that it's proven to be preventative medicine, I may need to reassess my daily routines. I can't think of a better way to cut down the risks of heart disease. Now if I can only find a way to cut down on the junk food...
Monday, February 12, 2007
Homecoming
This weekend I helped my mom with clean up and reorganization from her kitchen remodel. Many of you have been to my house in Oakland. We moved there in 1969 and have NEVER remodeled. Sure we replaced the roof several times, and repainted. But the interior has never seen a face lift other than the replacement of broken appliances (and the addition of those stylish burglar bars to further remind you that you're in Oakland).
Being immigrants with poor English skills, my parents never were able to generate much income. They were reduced to jobs in restaurants and sweat shops, making far less than minimum wage. Knowing that home-ownership was a must, they purchased our house on Harding Way for $23,000. All the siblings worked to help pay the bills and other expenses. There was zero budget for any luxury items and we never took a family vacation, but at least we had a home that was ours.
Though money was tight, the one thing my parents would splurge on was food. My dad was a great cook, specializing in duck, pork, crab, and apple and custard pies. My mom specialized in sesame balls (gin dui), egg rolls, jung, law-bok go, and other dim sum delicacies. The kitchen was their workshop. It was dark, cramp, and falling apart, but they didn't complain. Their only challenge was making enough to feed 20 people. We've had countless dinners celebrating all the holidays, birthdays and MJ parties which I fondly remember. Sure it was crowded, but when we're all piled together, there's an undeniable sense of closeness and family unity that's very comforting.
The dinners ended in 2004 when my dad had his stroke. He passed away in 2005 and to this day we have not gathered there for any celebrations. My mom still loves to host, but her house is now even more run-down and not kid-friendly to our expanding family of 25. Nowadays, the only time we visit is when we are summoned for home repair or yard work. Sadly because of this, some of us have avoided the house entirely.
This past year we've been fixing the house a little at a time. First the windows, then the roof, then the pipes. A month ago my I hired a contractor to remodel the kitchen. With so many other things falling apart, he's now remodeling half the house, replacing floors, doors, and both bathrooms. There's still plenty to do such as landscaping and painting, but for now, at least the inside is a bit more inviting.
It's a great feeling to finally reward my mom with a new functional kitchen with simple conveniences like a divided sink, a window that opens, and drawers that don't fall out. The joy of having counters and floors that actually look clean when you wipe them, and bathrooms free of mildew. Most of the work is done and the rest is scheduled to be finished this week. My mom is excited to host again and has already invited everyone over for Chinese New Year on Sunday. To her, it will be like open house. To me, it will be like Homecoming.
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