In His Time

It has been over a month since Janice and I moved back to L.A., but it felt like three months for me. Especially for the last few days, most of the things on my " To Do" list have been done. Day goes by real fast, yet I felt I done nothing and it is not a good feeling.
One thing I picked up since I moved back is Wednesday's prayer meeting at church. So far I had learned how to 禱讀, how to speak in tongue, and how to receive Holy Spirit. It makes my bible reading and spiritual understanding a lot easier. Tonight, as I was sharing my thoughts I realized that God wants me to take little moment and be quiet in front of him. In the mist of moving, quitting jobs, looking for new job, and baby is coming, he is still working his magic. I have to admit that it is harder for me not to do anything than do a lot of things. I think it is also strange feeling that I know He is speaking to me, but I am not sure if I have received the message right. I guess in time things will be revealed and hopefully my spiritual sense will be more developed.
I am real bummed that my interview was scheduled for tomorrow just got pushed back, the question in my mind is " what are you trying to tell me?". Strange thing is I am not worried about getting a job (even though I should be)............

2001 BMW M3 for Sale ( NEW LOWERED PRICE) !!!!

Dear friends,
here is 2001 BMW M3 for sale, please pass the word out to anyone who might be interested.
thanks in advance.

Price: $30,000
Body Style: Coupe
Mileage: 72,250
Exterior Color: Laguna Seca
Interior Color: Black
Engine: 3.2L 6 Cylinder
Tansmission: Manual
Drive Type: 2 wheel rear drive
VIN: WBSBL93412JR13763

There are also many modifications such as Tein Coilover, exhaust system, Air intake system, Brembo brakes, Navigation system...too many to list. Just come by and take a look.

brush on, brush off!!!

After 5 days of moving, cleaning, and brushing. Janice and I finally move in into our new room. It is a lot of work for just one 10x10 room, but it will be all worth it when my newborn baby comes. Praise the Lord that Janice and I went to the O.B. today in Azuza, and baby are doing good so far. More tests will be needed on the next visit, but things are finally falling into places. It kind of put our entire moving story toward the end, and our lives gradually settles to this new L.A. environment. One thing interesting worth mentioning is painting. It takes a lot patience and careful work for masking and taping the walls, and it takes a lot strength and consistency during painting. It reminds me the lesson in the Karate kid............

My Glass House

One of the benefit of not working is I get all the free time to finish the things on my "wish to do" list. One of them is to install my aero kit on my Mini. According to the installation manual, to install all four pieces of aero kit will only take 2.5 hours, so Chris and I spend an entire afternoon trying to install the aero kit, and we only did the front and two sides. It either because we are extremely slow and stupid or the instructions are underestimate the installation time. I have to finish the rear bumper the next day. It felt pretty good to see my project finally got finished and I was pretty proud of my accomplishment. Then my nightmare happened few days after I installed the aero kit. Someone rear-ended my rear bumper during parking. It was a rainy morning and the crack is not so obvious because all the rain water on the car, but I still noticed..... : (
One thing I really hate parking in the S.F. street is people always parked too close, and often bump into your car and leave a mark. That is one of the reasons that I did not install the aero kit for a while. Just when I thought it would be safe to install the brand new aero kit because I will be cruising in L.A. in few days. Guess what, God saw my plan and did not like it .... : (
For few days I was really mad about the guy who hit and run. The crack kept coming up in my mind and I kept thinking of ways to catch the guy who did it, and if there a way to fix the bumper. Then God told me the story about my glass house.
My Mini is like one of my many glass houses. I always want to keep all the glass clean and perfect. Just when I thought my Mini is perfect, then God throws a rock into my glass house and break one of the glasses. A glass house is like worldly things that we often obsessed and overly valued. It often distracts us from focusing on the things beyond this world. I guess it is real hard lesson for me and I still have a long way to go before I master this round.......
So, what is your glass house?

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.

Christmas

"你們知道我們主耶穌基督的恩典、他本來富足、卻為你們成了貧窮、叫你們因他的貧窮、可以成為富足
For you see the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, how though he had wealth, he became poor on your account, so that through his need you might have wealth." ~ 歌林多後書 8:9

Up to this point, I was a bit scared since I am jobless, and the baby is coming next year, and moving to L.A. All things are still up in the air and it is easy to only look at the things I do not have but neglect the things I have. Thanks to Christmas and once again, it reminded me the truth meaning of Christmas. It is about the remembrance of how God loves us so much and gave us his only son. Through Jesus, I am no longer poor, and there are so many things I have that money can never buy. May God be with my family and me and bless us and people who is around us. I am wealthy because of Him and I can be a giving person because I am wealthy. I no longer work for live, but work for giving.

Moving

I don't know if it is all the uncertainty in my life lately, I would get irritated real easy. When I get irritated, I complain a lot more often. I don't think I did it purposely, but yeah, I complain a lot even if it didn't come out of my mouth. So I think it is time for me to move. Move from Complainvill to Praise Blvd. Thanks to 小劉's reminder last Sunday.......hehehe

Carpool Lane

Today I was driving with Janice on the bay bridge, and just as we are getting off the bridge, I saw the carpool land sign. It says 3 or more passengers required. I looked at Janice and thought, hey we qualify the requirement now since we have the baby, so it is Janice, junior and me. However, it will be hard to prove to the cops if we get pull over since Janice's stomach is not obvious enough. hehehe.......................

Searching 3

"生命中到底追尋的是什麼, 還有什麼是值得我去追求."

I been searching the meaning of life a lot lately, and while driving on the bay bridge with Janice this afternoon made me realized something. Life is most fulfilling if you can share it with someone you truly love. It does not matter where you are moving, where your job is, and what is going to happen in the future. As long as there are someone you can share with, no matter it is painful or happiness. I am truly thankful that God has been in my life, and he gave me Janice as my life partner. Also all the families and friends. It just made my life a lot more interesting and worth so much more to share. And guess what, no matter what is going to happen in life, I will still have someone I love and who loves me be with me!!!!

Searching 2

How much time I spend a day converse with God?
I realize it is a key question to my searching lately. There are a lot new things happening in my life and there are also a lot of uncertainties. People and friends gave me a lot comfort and advise, but somehow deep inside, I what to see what God has to say, and I do not think he said much so far. or I am not listening very well. I am a bit frustrated, then this question pop up. How much time I am spending with God a day? I guess not too much, I guess I am just too busy working or doing stuff or looking for answers, but never stop and sit down try to listen to God. Then I realized often it is not we are waiting for God, but God is waiting for us to calm down and listen to him...........
So, from now on, I will spend 10 minutes everyday just sitting and waiting.............and see what happens.

Christmas Party

Surprisingly, we are having our office Christmas party on time this year. Thanks to J.B. consistently pressing the date, boss decided to have it on time, plus we can bring the spouses this year. I have to say that I am really impressed since we always have our office party in March or May...hahaha. Poor Steve couldn't find anyone since he is in a long distant relationship. He is so desperate and almost called the escort service. J.B. was going to bring a blow-up doll for Steve. Wahahahaha, it was so funny.
It was really nice to meet J.B.'s wife Julie finally, and it is funny to see how J.B. acts in front of his love ones...............still loud and obnoxious. Since J.B. is in charges of organizing the event, we end up going to Betelnut next to our office on Union. It is our 3rd time to the restaurant as an office party only because J.B. loves the place.(we thought of slated door, but it is kinda far, and we are lazy boyz). Even the restaurant is kinda loud and I can really hear all the conversation, but it is real nice to spend time w/ my co-works outside the office. Boss also announced that I will be leaving the office end of year. Since I was the employee of the year plus I worked in the office for the longest (almost 5 years) Boss got me a second edition of Peter Zumthor's "thinking architecture" hard cover. I was real surprised and real happy about the gift, although I thought the book could have more pictures than words, but hey, it might worth something in 10 years since the first edition end up a real top seller and it has become a collector's item. It also means more reading for me on top of my license exam.
Man, we had so much food since we order double of the dishes, plus we tried whole bunch of new plates per waiter's recommendation (man, that waiter is good). We barely made it back to the office, and spend the rest of the afternoon try to diguest the lunch.
For the last 5 years in the office, I had learned so much and had grown a lot. As the boss puts it " even I had rough start, but I worked through it ". I think I will really miss everyone in the office, and now I just have to move on and walk forward and continue with the rest of my architectural career.......(if God still plan it that way....)

Searching

生命有許多的選擇, 不知要何從何選起.
有多少次錯的決擇, 漸漸的對生命一點信心都沒有.
我的心也好像不再感到自由.
好想在這個不規則的世界, 找到一絲的真理.
好煩每次都在自己的軟弱裡打轉, 好想放棄一切.
生命中到底追尋的是什麼, 還有什麼是值得我去追求.

People told me 要好好仰望
People told me 要好好禱告
People told me 要好好等待

But why 我聽不到
But why 我不想等
But why my heart hurt so much

Car Wash

It has almost been a month since Amanda picked up her brand new Scion TC (Marshmellow). Scion was one of the better car within the pricing rage and I am so glad that Amanda loves her new car. I dont know why she really wants a stickshift but seems like she is handling the stickshift pretty well (she sucked at the begining of course). It reminded me that in Europe, almost every single car is stickshift, it is only common to see automatic car in the United States. Anyway, we had our first car wash party and it was fun to show Amanda how to take care of her new baby!!!!!

Thanksgiving 2006

Even though Chris is not with us this year, there are many things to be thankful this year. Janice and I had gone to our dream Euro trip, Janice is finishing up her school (finally), me changing work environment, and all the health in our family. A lot happened this year, especially there are many uncertainty at this point, and I am not sure what to do and what will happen on many things, but thanks to God who put all the love one around me. Friends and family really gave me many comfort and advises in life. Special thanks to Anut Rita and Lyle who opens their place for this year's thanksgiving dinner. I can not believe how much I had ate last night. I was in charge of making salad this year, and thanks to Debra and her advise. She turned me to Martha Stewart's website for recipes. After going through few salad recipes online, I decided to go with the Romaine, avocado, corn salad. I guess I must done a good job since the entired bowl was finished before the dinner ended. Janice even suggested that I should go into culinary school...hehehe

Leftovers

I probably slept through most of my classes back in the dayz, but one thing I remebered from my environmental class is "Use what you got!" Not I only remembered it very well, I was also able to put the concept to use in my day off work. Here is my "Leftover Turkey Melt"