Christmas 2009

We said no gift exchange for many many years. We decided so for many practical reasons. Now that kids grew up and they don't listen to us anymore.

To our surprise, Henry and Dolly brought over a bronze Guan-Yin Statue imprinted with Heart Sutra to remind us to drop our five skandhas, as well as a Zen Chime for us to wake up all the sentient beings.

Wow, nice gifts. Thank you, grown up kids...

A Small World Indeed

Canada 2009

In 1956, or 53 years ago, I had a grammar school classmate in Taiwan. Her name is Vicky, or 梅慧莉. She flew to Paris in the 70th. Met and married my high school classmate in Japan, Pao Tsiang. Now we met each other in Toronto in 2009.

In Montreal, I met Sam GongSun. Sam is my highschool classmate in Japan. Sam brought over his wife, Lynda. I found out that Lynda is the kid sister of a friend of my from 1978, which was 30 years ago.

Do I need to say more?

Yes, we are somehow all related.

Dolly's Birthday

Children

Well, somehow I find now also is a good time to clean up my old photos. Somehow it seems that 2008 is the end of one chapter in my life and 2009 will start anew.

So here is the photo of my children and my relatives of the past 30 years.

My Children

Enjoy.

Remodeled Our House

Well, in order to make 2009 a fruitful year, we have also remodeled our house. Due to the love of yoga and meditation, I have installed Brazilian Cherry hardwood floor myself. It saves about USD$3,000.

From Remodel 2008

It Began in 2008

Well, to start off 2009, I must say that I am grateful that Emily finally consented to marry me after 11 years of courtship. Not only that she is a competent partner in every way, she is also my best friend and spiritual counterpart.

At least my mother will be happy that finally there is someone to take care of me. Somehow mother always thinks that a son just can not take care of himself.

We just went to the Santa Ana court house, signed and took oath without broadcasting our wedding. Yet our fellow practitioners organized a surprise celebration on 1/1/2008 camouflaged it as a New Year Celebration. Emily and I are deeply grateful.

From A Surprise Wedding Celebration

Additionally, she brought David into our lives.  He is so much like me, yet much cool headed and balanced.