Cha Cha Cha

Tonight we are having dinner with Heike and Eric at Cha Cha Cha. Heike was my co-worker at Lawson's, and even we only known each other for short 3 years, we have become very close friends. Especially when Eric and Heike drove 400 miles to my wedding, I was really touched (since they are the only one from the office who came to my wedding). Later I found out that Eric proposed to Heike somewhere in San Louis beach on their way down to L.A.. Then, Janice and I went to their lovely wedding in Tuscany last September. We get to know their friends and family a bit more, and I think it brought our friendship a lot closer too. It is funny that our important life events were tied together……. Cha Cha Cha was one of my favorite in the city, and I think it is just the right flavor for Heike and Eric. It turns out they loved it. We talked a lot about our future plans, and I am really thankful that they are being really supportive on our live decisions and working direction, even it really sad that we will leave for L.A. end of this month. I am real sad that it will be harder to see Heike and Eric and Eric has to look for someone else go to racing school with him now, hehehehehe…….

What He told me today 1

我從前風聞有你、現在親眼看見你
-約伯記 42:5

我們一生有誰不經歷苦難,
但有多少人在苦難中經歷神?

我們一生中有多少靠自己賺來的幸福,
但又有多少是神所賜的恩典?

耶和華所賜的福、使人富足、並不加上憂慮。
-箴 10:22

I often felt like it is the end of world when there is problems in life, but if I look at all the events in my life, usually the problems does not seem so harsh in over all scheme of things. Then I wonder how are my problem compare to what Job has experienced in the scale of 1 to 10. It was probably 3 at the most........maybe 4........I think everyone encounter problem in life, but it is what attitude you face the problem with and if you give God a chance so one can experience Himself in their daily lifes.

Dine About Town

My favorite couple Fed & Deb has kindly invited Janice and I join them for dinner tonight. It has been a while since last time Janice and I went out for a nice dinner, and it is nice to get out of our chaotic apartment for a moment and enjoy the city night once again. Fed picked Rubicon on Sacramento Street, and it was famous for its selection of wines and Californian style dine. It is also the month for Dine About Town, so our focus was on the DAT menu for the night. I had Crispy Pork Shank & Potato Cake for first course, Ginger Roasted Petrale Sole for main course, and Frozen Milk Chocolate-Jasmine Mousse for the dessert. The food was real nice and all the flavors were carefully balanced. It has been almost 10 years since I first met Deb and Fed, and I think I will miss them a lot, and it makes every moment we spend together more memorable, and hopefully they can visit us in southern Cal once we move down.

( Dinner Photos ).

( Rubicon ).

Moving

I have moved many times in my life before, but the move Janice and I are preparing for the past few weeks are different. I guess this time moving back to L.A. means a totally new life for Janice and I, and for the first time we will be parents. For that reason I have notice how much a baby can change my life (it is harsh on me so far, but I think it will be all worth it). I can't believe how much stuff I have while packing. It reminded me of Yao's song about how you can pack up entire your life in boxes. I noticed many things that I never use were just sitting in the closet, and it is frustrating when I try to decide weather to pack those item or not. I think I will be more careful about buying stuff that is things I need and not things I want. It also makes me think about what is important in life that is worth me packing. After serious thinking, I realize the important stuff is the things money can't buy (so I will never buy things again.....just kidding). Maybe I should leave all my belonging behind and start out new.............neeeee, I am still too attached to my stuffs. Anyway, I think I will miss S.F., and I will also miss all my friends here!

Reality Check

Tonight we are having dinner with Judy and Ivy in south bay. After the dinner, Judy handed down Faith's stroller, and both Janice and I are really grateful for Judy's generosity and thoughtfulness. Judy showed us how to operate the stroller and I thought to myself "it is really complicated". Then the real challenge came when we were putting the stroller into my MINI!!! It barely fits after I put down the rear seats and then the reality hits me. I might have to get a bigger car...........Maybe even a SUV or Van....................About a year ago I was laughing at Yao Yao's big ass van and sliding door, then he told me one day I will have to get a van when I am having kid. I laughed at Yao and told him I will make it work with my MINI, and now I am no longer laughing. I hate big cars, and I love my MINI sooooooo much. It was a real struggle, and I still cannot imaging myself in a SUV or van. This "having a Baby business" really sucks, and so far it made me have to move to L.A., and now I might have to give up my MINI. God please give me strength and tell me it will be all worth it.

Down Town L.A.

Today we are meeting Justine and Jason for lunch near down town L.A., they are my schoolmates back in Berkeley. I haven't seen them since last time when Janice and I visited them in Cambridge couple years ago (gosh, time goes by fast).
We met at Jason's firm in down town, and he is kind enough to show us his office and the work he is doing. Jason is working on two high-rise buildings, one in down town, one in Phoenix, and he is managing a team of 6. The firm occupied half of the floor in a 73 story building, and it seems a pretty big space for a firm of 16 people. They still do a lot of physical models and I guess that is why they need so much space, hahhahaha. After the office tour, we went to the Border Grill in Santa Monica, and it was really dark in side. It is kind of strange for a California grill restaurant, but whatever. After the dinner, we took a short walk to Santa Monica Boardwalk. The last time I visited was in high school (about 11 years ago), and I don’t think it has changed much. It is nice to visit old friends in the old place, and the old place will become a new place when we move back to L.A. I was really happy to see Justine and Jason, and I am really happy seeing them doing what they want in life. Also I will have more friends after I move down from S.F.