Scotts Beach: Barney

Weight training on the beach

Happy Easter

Easter Barney delivers a beautiful pot of goodies to me this morning, complete with a nest of Easter Eggs.

Point Reyes: Barney

Ocean, Mountain, Barney and the Lighthouse

Point Reyes: Wild Flower

Beauty of Springtime

Point Reyes: Me

Look at me...hard to hide my love for the nature.

Miami March 19-24

In Miami for a Leadership Program. Good to see David again.

Russian Ridge: Wild Flower

Effortless spurt of beauty

Yosemite Feb 26-27

Purple Mountain Majesty...

Mission Peak: Barney all Drenched

Barney and I went hiking again. This time we braved the rain to scale up Mission Peak. The views are worth it.

Mission Peak: Beholding the Beauty

A quiet moment.

Mission Peak: Barney

Barney looking smart on the way to the peak. He would be soaked shortly after this picture was taken

Mission Peak: My new hair

Refreshed after a brief downfall. Little did I know that it would start hailing. Nasty but fun!

Happy Birthday Mom

May God Bless you on your Birthday. I miss you. Sorry I can't come to Singapore to celebrate with you.

Happy Valentine's Day

Just us by the warm fireplace. A time to let you know how much I appreciate you. Thanks for letting me into your life.

Hiking up Mt Tamalpais: Me

Me on top of Mt Tamalpais. I wasn't frowning; the sun was in my eyes :-)

Hiking up Mt. Tamalpais: Barney

Capturing Barney's smile at the summit of Mt. Tamalpais

Shhhhhh! Don't Tell Anyone...

I am dating a Republican.

Hiking at Pinnacles: Barney

Barney, my reliable hiking partner, on a hiking trail in beautiful Pinnacles

Hiking at Pinnacles: Wild Flowers

Wild Flowers at Pinnacles National Monument

The gardener at work

Thank you Barney for helping me with yet another home project - Planting Rosemamary on my front yard. The next time you need your house vacuumed, call me.

Henry Coe State Park

Hiking at Henry Coe State Park

Waikiki Jan 20 - Jan 24

The holidays had taken its toll. Barney told me I could go along with him to Hawaii and I jumped at the chance to visit the beautiful state again. Here's a picture of Barney on top of Diamond Head overlooking Waikiki. After all, he is the handsome one.

2004: Looking Back in Wonder

Going into 2004, I remember saying to someone: “I think 2004 is going to be my year”.

And it has been. There were three significant events:

1. The Elusive Green Card
Here’s an excerpt of what I wrote in a previous blog I maintained:
I Bet on the American Dream. Today I won a piece of it!
Ever since I was a little kid, I dreamt of working and living in the USA. In 1997, I began my journey to realize my American Dream. I took a leap of faith and came to the USA looking for a job. It was definitely faith, because if I knew how hard the process would turn out to be, I probably would never have come. Few companies will hire foreign accountants, simply because there is no shortage of accountants here. Most companies didn't even give me a chance to prove that I would be worthy of all the administrative headaches and legal expenses they would have to incur. Not to mention that they would have had to wait 6 long months before I would even be able to legally work in the USA. They refused to see me. But one company did. And like so many things in life, sometimes you just need One Door to open for you.
More than five years later, after delays caused by INS' (now called USCIS) incompetence, attorney's bad decisions, 9/11, the online status of my Green Card application changed to say the following:
This case has been approved. On February 20, 2004, an approval notice was mailed.

2. A Home to Call My Own.
Yeah I know; you’ve heard enough of it. I could barely afford it. But then, I have yet to be disappointed whenever I trust my instinct and take leaps of faith.

3. Special People
I am not ready to talk about them publicly. I will share with all of you when the time is right.

Tsunami
So the Tsunami puts things into perspective, doesn’t it? There’s quite a bit of my own personal stuff going on and the tragedy in Asia reminded me that I should open my hearts to people in need and not just focus on myself.

Unlike 9/11, the underlying energies are not hatred and vengeance; it is pure sympathy, empathy, and giving. There is no one to blame for a natural disaster of this unprecedented magnitude.

Politics
I also thought that in 2004, common sense and integrity would be brought back to the White House. I was dismayed and disappointed at the choice America made.

The Mind
Alex guided me through my first meditation experience. It quieted my being and helped me to accept that a relationship I wanted was not meant to be.

When you just give Love and never get Love, you better let Love depart.

I have also read some good books like The Miracle of Mindfulness, Start Where Your Are, The Power of Now and The Power of Intention. They taught me that we are a product of our thoughts. Negative thoughts and feelings like depression, anger, jealousy, and insecurity are impediments to fulfilling our innermost desires.

Breakup
Breakups are a part of life. It wasn’t the easiest thing; it can be hurtful. I’m sorry. I know it’s the right thing to do and hope that you will see it someday. I want to be friends but understand that you may need lots of space from me. I hope you know I truly cared.

I see it bleeds
It must be painful
For I see
Water standing in your eyes

Travel
Travel is my passion. 2004 took me to Montreal, Hong Kong, Singapore and Bangkok. David and I visited Montreal. We love visiting new cities. We know each other so well that traveling together is a pleasure. We don’t have to argue or compromise on what we want to do. We love the same things. Kevin and I had a great time in Asia. I felt bad he got food poisoning in Hong Kong and had to pay more than he should for a camera he purchased in Singapore. Some of the most memorable moments are swimming off the coast of Sentosa, and cruising down the Singapore River. Thanks for the memories, guys.

So 2005:

I have already given the energies of the universe notice of all the good things I want.

MOVE OVER SUN, AND GIVE ME SOME SKY,
I’VE GOT ME SOME WINGS I’M EAGER TO TRY,
I MAY BE UNKNOWN, BUT WAIT ‘TIL I’VE FLOWN,
YOU’RE GONNA HEAR FROM ME! - Dory Previn

Hiking through Monte Bello Open Reserve

Just us and a couple of deers. Clouds drifting by. No other human in sight. A narrow trail meanders past a lone tree at the beautiful Monte Bello Open Reserve.

What a Fine Wine

Sideways is a movie about a bachelor-party trip undertaken by a soon-to-be groom and his buddy. The trip brought us face to face to the myriad of human emotions: happiness, depression, courtship, cheating, lovestruck, disappointment and risk taking. Throughout the movie, we sampled some of the finer Pinot Noir varietals that Northern California has to offer.

The film rekindled my love for Pinot Noir. And tonight I remember this mighty fine Pinot Noir from the Russian River Valley: Kenwood 2001 Reserve. I remember that night when we partake of its strong and intense flavor. I miss that flavor...

Both Sides Now

Yeah, so I havent blogged for a while. Lots of home improvement tasks going on. Kevin has been a great help. More photos of the house coming soon. In the meantime, I've probably been boring all of you with too much details of the home I just bought. It's a big step, so of course I need to journal it for future reference.

I am also tuning out politics for a while. The disappointment of this election has taken its toll. Though, I know that it won't be for long.

Watched Love Actually on DVD this past weekend. It's a movie about human interactions. It's a story about love, disappointments, hurt, contentment and fufillments. And of course it featured Joni Mitchell's Both Sides Now. What Powerful Lyrics.

Rows and flows of angel hair

And ice cream castles in the air

And feather canyons everywhere

I've looked at clouds that way
But now they only block the sun

They rain and they snow on everyone

So many things I would have done

But clouds got in my way
I've looked at clouds from both sides now

From up and down, and still somehow

It's cloud illusions I recall

I really don't know clouds at all
Moons and Junes and Ferris wheels

The dizzy dancing way that you feel

As every fairy tale comes real

I've looked at love that way
But now it's just another show

And you leave 'em laughing when you go

And if you care, don't let them know

Don't give yourself away
I've looked at love from both sides now

From give and take, and still somehow

It's love's illusions I recall

I really don't know love

Really don't know love at all
Tears and fears and feeling proud

To say "I love you" right out loud

Dreams and schemes and circus crowds

I've looked at life that way
Oh but now old friends they're acting strange

And they shake their heads

And they tell me that I've changed

Well something's lost but something's gained

In living every day
I've looked at life from both sides now

From win and lose and still somehow

It's life's illusions I recall

I really don't know life at all

It's life's illusions I recall

I really don't know life

I really don't know life at all

Many Thanks to Kevin and Joe

After I announce that I am moving to a new home, these 2 individuals bravely volunteered to help. They sustained me through the move. I deeply appreciate your help. Thank you very much.

Bye bye to my noisy neighbor upstairs.

Happy Birthday David

David,
Sorry I am not in Miami to spend your Birthday with you. I hope you have a wonderful year ahead. Thanks for being my rock all these years.

Finally the key to the first home I own

Quite a process. But guess what, it's still easier than getting a Green Card.

Sorry for your Loss

David,
Sorry that your kitty cat passed away. The care and love you provided will return to you many times over.

Condoleezza Rice to replace Colin Powell as secretary of state

Incompetence is rewarded

Both Loans Funded

My mortgage and equity line of credit have been funded just now. Tomorrow, the property is scheduled to be recorded under my name. It's almost mine!

Before Packing to Move

Before Packing..

Packing in Progress

Packing to move in progress

Thanks for the laugh

Jessica wrote this in her blog: "Let me say I love Fox News. They are so unbiased. They're not for Republican or Democrat. "

Poor Girl. Another case of successful brainwash by the "Fair & Balanced" network.

She is from the South.

Nov 10: One Step Closer

Yesterday, I was at the Title company signing my life away. I am one step closer to being a first time home owner. Of course I refused to read anything I was signing. That will scare me shitless and I would not have been able to follow through. Any volunteers to help me move?

22 Reasons Why you shouldn't post your picture on the internet

Now something light for a laugh:

http://www.columbia.edu/~rhee/

The Material Girl on Terror and Iraq

“I just don’t want American troops to be in Iraq, period. My feelings are ‘can we just all get out? . . . Global terror is everywhere. Global terror is down the street, around the block,’ she said. ‘Global terror is in California. There’s global terror everywhere and it’s absurd to think you can get it by going to one country and dropping tons of bombs on innocent people.” - Madonna

The Funny Girl reacts to GWB's second term

In response to the results of the Presidential election last week, I would like to share with you a quote from Thomas Jefferson. Although written in 1798, I feel his words speak perfectly to the strong sentiments of frustration and disappointment 48% of the country feel.
"A little patience, and we shall see the reign of witches pass over, their spells dissolve, and the people, recovering their true sight, restore their government to its true principles. It is true that in the meantime we are suffering deeply in spirit, and incurring the horrors of a war and long oppressions of enormous public debt......If the game runs sometimes against us at home we must have patience till luck turns, and then we shall have an opportunity of winning back the principles we have lost, for this is a game where principles are at stake." - Barbra Streisand

John Ashcroft is Leaving the Administration

Good Riddance Goodbye.

4 More Years - My Reflection

Frankly, I did not expect Kerry to lose. On the contrary, I thought he would win by such a huge margin that GWB would soon disappear into oblivion. He would then re-appear to offer apologies for his divisive policies, his scare tactics, his right-wing idealogy, the environmental damage, the alarming increase of terrorism, the senseless war, the loss of jobs, Halliburton....

Frankly, I had faith in Americans. I thought they would reject an incompetent president and a crooked vice president. Instead they lived in fear of the next terrorist act, believing that they need a Republican president to protect them. They refused to hold this administration accountable for failed records and blatent lack of integrity. And how's this for a laugh: the polls say that voters who viewed moral values as the #1 issue overwhelmingly voted for GWB. Americans, you disappointed me. Well, at least 59 million of you.

Frankly, it defies common sense.

Serve him right!

This Taiwanese man is bitten by the Lion when he tried to convert it to Christianity. Duh!