Advice 2 Love

Pic from Honolulu Advertiser

Peacefully sounded asleep, I was awaken by mom calling me in the wee hours of the morning. At first, I thought it might be my grandma in the hospital again, but to my surprised — mom told me to get up and watched TV as a huge Tsunami was heading our way. What? Really! NO! My couldn’t believe my eyes as the newscaster told us of a disastrous 8.8 magnitude quake that rumbled across Chile on Friday night, killing 214 people and creating huge Tsunami. I tried calling a few people, but it seems that all the phone line were busy or not working property, luckily Face-Book came to the rescue as I posted messages of the Tsunami alerting friends and neighbors.

My husband and I each took our cars down the street to fill up gas, but it was so crowded that after waiting 1/2 hour, we gave up and drove to our in-laws house. Making sure my in-laws were awake and okay, we borrowed buckets to store water and left one of the cars there so that if we were stuck in our condo and the electric gate to the garage did not work, at least we had another car down the street. There were a number of gas station that quickly ran out of gas as people were in a stage of panic to refill their cars. As we drove past the supermarkets, the lines were so long and parking was out of the questions as people try to stock up.

Waikiki, once a popular tourist attraction, seems like a ghost-town as police march about telling tourist to get back to their hotels. Business closed down and signs to the beaches posted warning of the Tsunami. People staying at the hotels were move vertically from lower floor to another higher floor room. A handful of people, taking the opportunity of high surf, stay at the beach waiting for the once-in-a-lifetime chance to surf “The Big One.”

Hours before the Tsunami was to hit, the emergency warning sirens began to wail across the Hawaiian Islands at 6AM and continue for every hours until 11AM. Everyone was taking this very serious as city parks, golf courses and the zoo were all canceled. Sporting events and other activities like my cooking class got re-scheduled for a later date. The older generation recall the deadly tsunami that hit the Big Island during the 20th century, and headed toward higher grounds and the younger generations went shopping for essential supplies like can-food, bottle water and toilet paper.

At around 2PM, the Pacific Tsunami Warning center canceled the warning. A sat there in my living room counting my blessing — extremely happy that the islands I loved was spare. Yet, on the other  hand, I was wondering how it felt to ride the big waves in Waikiki.

**Author note—To all my friends that pray and sent messages from all over the world, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your love shine through during a moment of uncertainty.

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The best lesson in life is at the foot of a elder person. —Anonymous

Although my father’s parent past away when he was still a teenager, I was still showered with lot of love from my mother’s parents. Being the oldest grandchild, I was extremely fortunate to be able to spent quality time with my grandparents as they watch over me as a child. Listening to their stories of youth and the experiences they gain, gave me the knowledge and confidence to face the world. I began to appreciate the history of China, the game of Chinese chess and the art of drinking tea.

I remembered my grandmother’s stories of me as a child for a was a bit of a problem. Relatives and family friends were scared of me as I would wander from room to room destroying things in my path. One of my favorite things was to created little puddles of water by turning on the faucet and letting the water run. My grandma laugh as I told her that she must have me mistaken for another grandchild, but she show me the scars left behind from my adventures. She was never ashamed of me. In fact, I think, she was very proud. My grandmother followed my every steps in life from attending my graduation to seeing me marry the love of my life.

Grandma was a very simple woman, but her words were extremely powerful. As a child, I would show her my writing or the art work I did in school and through each of my masterpiece, she would tell me a life lesson. I don’t recall all of them, but there is a particular one that always stuck in my head. As she picked up my calligraphy writing, she told me — the Chinese character for man is very simple with only 2 strokes, but it is very difficult to be a good man and can take a entire life time to perfect it. (Meaning person — Chinese: rén, Korean: in, Japanese: hito, nin; jin).

Uh? What?

During that time, I had no idea what grandma was talking about. As I encounter the many challenges in life, her words came flooding back into my head. Sometimes in life, we take things for granted as the 2 strokes in the Chinese character. It was the most easiest character to learned and definitely without much effort, I got a perfect score on my test. Yet, to fully write the word perfectly well-balanced, it will take weeks of practice. And in life, it will take years of practice before one can be well-balanced. A life-time to be the character of a “good man.”

Yup! I’m still learning.

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When I was living in New York, I had the opportunity for a short assignment at New York Foundling Hospital. Prior to the visit, I had no idea what the hospital was about or it mission. I assumed that it was just like any other hospital in the city. Boy! Was I wrong. The hospital was the home to many kids that were abused, abandoned or ran away from home. In New York, one can drop off their child at any police station or fire station with no questions ask and in return these public official will drop the child off at the hospital. 

As a observed the many children at the hospital and got to know them on a personal basis, I began to open my office as a place for them to come and play, chat or watch me work. Before I started my shift, during lunch, after work and during the weekend, I would sit and teach them how to draw on the computer or play video games with them. The time spent with them and seeing their beautiful smile made it all worthwhile, but I soon learned that the little things I did made such a big difference to them. They now had a friend whom they could trust and share their feeling with. I never thought that my action could make such a impact. 

Below is a story I would like to share of an act of goodness returned.

“One day, a poor boy was selling clothing door to door to pay for education and realized that he only had 10 cents in his pockets. He was so hungry that he decided to go to the next house and ask for food. A beautiful young woman opened the door and he was caught off guard. Instead, he asked for a glass of water. Seeing how hungry he was, she brought him a huge glass of milk. When he finished and wanted to pay, she simplicity told him, “My mother taught us never to accept anything for doing someone a kindness.” He thanks her from the bottom of his heart. 

Years later, that same young woman fell ill and Dr.Howard Kelly was called in. As he walked into the room, he immediately recognized her and did his best to save her life. After a long battle, she finally got well. When she left the hospital, a envelope was waiting for her. She thought it might be the invoice that would take the rest of her life to pay back, but was really surprised when she saw the words written in the margin of the invoice. It reads: Paid in full with a glass of milk. “

There a saying that goes — Bread thrown over the water returns to you.  An act of goodness that you do today can come back to you or someone that you love, when are least expecting it. You may not see the act returned, but at least you will have made a huge difference to someone. And at the end, isn’t it all worthwhile?

Crossroads. Places of decision. Everyone encounters them at some point in life. North, South, East or West? What would be the best path to take? Many thoughts come flooding through your head and sometimes it might just be too much. There are moments of depression where you just want to run, hide or find a shoulder to cry on. Why is life so difficult and GOD constantly put challenge in front of you? 

Perhaps a certain path or course of action seems right, but there is no guarantee it will be right. And just because another path might be more difficult, does not mean that it is wrong. It is at these point where we need to reflect upon ourselves. Is the path that we are going to take what we want out of life and will that make us happy?

During these tough times, a simple e-mail came crawling onto my screen with a gentle reminder from a good friend afar. Here the story I want to share with you. 

“A well-known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a $20.00 bill. In the room of 200, he asked, ”Who would like this $20 bill?” Hands started going up. He said, “I am going to give this $20 to one of you but first, let me do this. He proceeded to crumple up the $20 dollar bill. He then asked, “Who still wants it?” Still the hands were up in the air. Well, he replied, “What if I do this?” And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, now crumpled and dirty. ”Now, who still wants it?” Still the hands went into the air. My friends, we have all learned a very valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20. 
Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We feel as though we are worthless. But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value. Dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased, you are still priceless to those who DO LOVE you. The worth of our lives comes not in what we do or who we know, but WHO WE ARE. You are special — Never forget that. ”

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Are all moms the same? My mom keeps telling me to eat more fruits and vegetables perhaps, because I have a weak immune system or she is just trying too hard to get rid of the week old apple that sitting in her fridge. Actually, eating more fruits has many benefits. For example:

APPLE — has antioxidants and flavonoids which helps lower the risks of colon cancer, heart attack and stroke. 

STRAWBERRY — has the highest anti-oxidants that keep us looking young. 

ORANGE — Keeps colds away, lower cholesterol and helps dissolve kidney stones. 

WATER MELON — has a natural SPF source that keep our skin healthy and protecting it from the harmful sun. 

GUAVA — rich in fiber that help prevent constipation

PAPAYA — has carotene that is good for your eyes

Any other fruits to add? How often do you eat fruits? What is your favorite fruits?

A few days ago, I got the opportunity to watched the latest TVB’s series title, Don Juan De-Mercado. It is about a guy who is really short and ugly despite having a beautiful voice. His talented voice is able to captivate many audiences, but when they looked at him, instantly he get a rejection and is also turn down by a singing contest. Later, he finds a bag of magic chocolate that can transform him into the hottest guy in town. This makes me wonder why society value people that are beautiful. Did you know that people who are more attractive get paid more?

According to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, good-looking, slim, tall people tend to make more money than the average Joe or Jane. After variables like education and experiences are factored out, beautiful people can make as much as 5% more then their counterparts. Studies show that attractive students receive much more one-on-more attention from their teachers, good-looking patients get more personalized care from their doctors and handsome criminals receive lighter sentences. This is discrimination written all over it, but don’t go rushing to the nearest hospital for a total makeover. 

Despite what researchers say, some of the most wealthy and successful people in the world are just average looking. Take for example, Bill Gates or Rose Perot. Confidence is more attractive then a beautiful face. Maintains eye contact, act positive, dress well, stand straight, hold your head high and smile. Be the best that you can be. Do you agree? Comments or thoughts? 

Gosh! I am so out of it. Don’t recall the last time I watched Sesame Street or who the heck is Sponge-bob Square pants? Have you ever been in situations where kids love chatting about things that arousing them and you just nod along, having no idea what they are talking about or perhaps they say the most funniest things that makes you laugh out loud. Here are some stuff that brings a smile to my face and why I truly love talking to kids. 

Teacher: John, go to the map and find North America.

John: Here it is. 

Teacher: Correct. Now class, who discovered America?

Class: John! 

It hit you! From the shopping malls to the magazines and right in your living room, it everywhere in your face. We have pills that promise to take wrinkle off our face, gym’s membership are on a record-high and females now-a-day buy more makeup then ever. What is the secret to staying young?

1. Throw out nonessential numbers. Don’t worry about your age, weight or height. 
2. Keep cheerful friends. The grouches will only pull you down, making you more miserable. 
3. Keep on learning. Never let the brain idle. “An idle mind is the devil’s workshop.”
4. Enjoy the simple things in life. 
5. Laugh long and out loud. (LOL)
6. Cry when you need to, but remember to move on afterward.
7. Surround yourself with the things you love, whether they are your family, dog, music, car, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge. 
8. Love the body you’re in because your only getting one. 
9. Travel. Explore the world. 
10. Sleep. Let your body relax. 

Appreciate your current situations and remember to enjoy each day. Anything else to add? 

Shoes always makes the woman feel so beautiful and they are willing to shed out large amount of money to purchase it. From Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City who spent $40,000 on footwear to former Philippine First Lady, Imelda Marcos who possessed 1,200 pairs of shoe. Women love their shoe and are willing to go to great length for them including injury from squeezing into the newest slingbacks or hiding the purchase from their partners.

According to the Consumer Reports National Research Center, woman in America, on average, own about 19 pairs of shoes. Most of them wears four pairs on a regular basis and the other are kept in storage. Every woman regret at least one shoe purchase. Below are some interesting shoe from around the world. Enjoy! 

When was the last shoe purchase you made? What type of shoe did you buy?

The Island of Oahu is often called the Gathering Place because not only, is it one of the most popular tourist destinations, but most people in the State of Hawaii chooses to live on this Island for the opportunity, amenities and lifestyle it holds. One of those Kama’aina (Hawaiian word for one who has lived on the Island for a long time) is your truly. The center of Oahu is none other then Honolulu with it famous white sand beach of Waikiki and streets fill with delicious foods. 

It is at the Waikiki location of California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) that I met up with Macy and her family. It was our very first meeting, but it seems like we were long-lost friends as we chatted away. With a welcoming hug and Hawaiian Lei for all of them, my husband and I welcome them to our beloved island. We ate, laugh and talked about many different things that 3 hours seems like 30 minutes. I had such a good time that I even forgot to take pictures of what we ate! 

Over dinner, I got to meet a really cool family and learned so much about Hockey to the beautiful location of Vancouver to their adorable son, William. It was truly a GREAT evening! And none of this would ever happen if it wasn’t for a special lady named Jan. You see, both Macy and I were looking for Chinese movies to watch and we stumble onto her site. Through endless MSN chat and face book message, we all became friends. The interesting thing is I have never met any of these wonderful ladies in my life until last night and it was such a joy. 

**To Macy, John & William — thank you for such a wonderful night fills with laughter, stories and good times. Grant & I also love the delicious chocolate & pastries you gave us. This is just a beautiful start to a lifetime of friendship!