Beethoven In Trance - Episode 33

Went to a funeral today.

We met this person at a friend's party. He and his wife both worked in the company we worked in, only we worked in a different department and building. They seem to be nice people and last time they tried to help my brother in law to find a job in our company. It didn't work out, but at least they tried.

He got cancer and passed away early this week.

We decided to attend viewing session of his funeral. I put on a navy T-shirt to work this morning and thought it might be ok for the event. I asked a colleague and was told I need long sleeve shirt. So I left early from work and got home to change shirt. I put on a dark navy long sleeve shirt and off I went.

As I entered the room I realized how I was underdressed. Everyone is in suit and tie. Boy, was I embarrassed. We waited a while and went up to the family, all I could say is 'my condolences'. The family said 'thank you for coming' and I just didn't know how to reply. I acted like a dummy there. After my wifed chatted a little with the family, we went to the coffin. He was lying there. He lost much weight, and I could hardly recognize him. I paused over there, didn't know what to do. I nodded slightly to him, then froze with no motion. I was trying to come up with some words, but I lost them. I eventually murmured 'see you in heaven'. 'See you in heaven'? what does that mean? Where did that come from. I guess what I really wanted to say is 'George, I wish you find peace and love in God's kingdom.'

We left the event right after that. That was almost inappropriate, as many Chinese who worked in the same company were sitting in the room. We were like 'dropping by' for the event, and I think the family won't appreciate that. But I just don't know what to do or say if I stay in that room. I don't know whether I was trying to run away from something or I just can't stand viewing the sight.

I wish the family well, I did tell them if there is anything we can do, please let us know, but I suspect they think we were just talking the talk. But we were not.

God, please bless his family who has been suffering tremendously from the illness and the lost of the family member. Please show us what we can do to help them. Please include our friend's sister who has been also battling with illness in Kentucky in your blessing too.

Beethoven In Trance - Episode 32

A beautiful September morning in Cleveland. Sunshine, no cloud in the sky, everything sigaling the end of the summer and the beginning the fall.

A gloomy morning too. One of our dear friend's sister has been sick for a while and her family is in desperate need of good news. It must be painful for everyone in the family. Haven't got the email from my friend this morning yet. He usually sends out email to update all the friends every day. Hope no news is good news.

Another email hit the inbox early this morning. A Chinese colleague here lost her husband this morning. He has been battling with cancer for a while. We met before in some get-together party hosted by a mutual friend. He seemed very much healthy at that time. It's really shocking to see someone left us just like that. I can't imagine how difficult life will be to the wife. They don't have any children. She will be lonely.

Health is the number one priority. No health, no nothing.

God bless all the friends and families who are battling with illness, please help them.

Beethoven In Trance - Episode 31

The company just launched a re-org. Everyone is getting anxious. Got a call from another chinese guy working here asking about how the situation here is. Well, it seems all right so far. The big boss left for another group to lead, and mid-managers seem to be save and sound. Still heard them laughing all loud around 5:45pm when most of the low ranks are left... I had to stay in the last two days because some work needs to be done.

Re-org is nothing new to me, back in China I experienced one, and as I was young at that time, I didn't really care much about it. I still don't care that much about it even the fact that I have much more to loose at the age of 31. Well, I am working as a analyst at the lowest rank. Chop me loose won't save the company a penny as it pays me dirt.

There are people in the company who are worrying though... higher ranks or employees who lost the position just because the department no longer is needed in the company. They lost their life dependings over night, and desperatly search for another nest to move on to with their lives. Some of the high ranks are not that worried, as they can find jobs with their extensive background. Those middle ones will have some tough time. But eventually, if you suck it up, you should always find something to put food on the table.

The Tech team in the group is funny. They are 'I will talk to you when I talk to you' kind of people. They won't greet you when they see you in the isle only look away. But they will talk to you when they need to talk to you or they have to talk to you.

A dear friend's sister is sick, she has been in treatment for a while and so far no conclusive decision is made. Her husband is drawning too. Life is not easy, challenges people every time when they are not prepared. Healthy is number one priority, there is no point to make tons of money when you can't enjoy them.

Finally mailed out the check to TradeKing for my RothIRA this morning. Will make the contribution as soon as it's received and progress on retirement planning.

It's getting cold now. 3/4 of the year is gone, and looking back, there are a lot of things not moving forward. Glad to see the doors are installed and painted though. But the garage roof is still leaking like a waterfall. The basement seems to leak lesser this year, as we didn't have much rain storm as we did last year. I put it a drain mesh into the bathtub to catch hair and it worked well, not sure if that has anything to do with the basement leaking...

The theme of 2006 was 'A year of new', and the 2007 theme was supposed to be 'A step further' as many things need to be build on the new ground laid in 2006. Financial planning is still the major project left on the list. At this year end, we need to a formal year end review to see where we are at and where we are heading.

We will go to New Mexico for ballon festival this October. Before that, I will need to crank up some work here...

A freind sent me an email asking four places I rather be now, my answer is Shanghai, Hongkong, Japan, Europe. Speaking of Shanghai, I got the group picture they took in the recent middle school reunion. I can't recognize 2/3 of them. I either lost their names, or lost their faces.
Since we don't have the travel document, we will have to stay put for now. I do want to go back home soon as so much has changed. I am really anxious to see the place where I once dreamed about leaving, and now coming back. My friends were there, and I miss them.

Beethoven In Trance - Episode 30

Sunday night.
Iron chef just finished with Mario Batalli victory over the challenger (who is supposed to be the best chef in New York) in the battle Parmasan Regiano. It wasn't a much exciting battle. Speaking of Mario Battali, saw a 4qt. enameled cast iron saucier in TjMaxx today for $25. It's good deal, but I just can't think of a dish calling for this pot, so I skipped it.

Didn't get much good deals on pots and pans lately. Saw some All Clad 12" fry pans in Tj Maxx couple times, but the construction didn't impress me with the price tag of $99. More and more Le Cruest are now available there too, but all are seconds and expensive.

Got a chopping board though from there the other day, $19, made in Thailand, edge grain, and thick construction. Got a Sabatier knife for $5 too, made in China. Used it on the chopping board, feeling board is tough even with my sharpened knife.

Finally, the 4 qt. pressure cooker I got from LNT for $25, and there is a $10 MIR I need to send out tomorrow, so final price will me $15. Good deal. It's a stainless steel cooker with aluminum sandwich bottom. I have used it for red wine beef short rib, pork neck bone soup and red cook pork shoulder country style rib. All dishes are done with one hour. The pot does the job, but still a little too small for me. Still looking for a 8qt. model...

Planning one the trip to to New Mexico for the ballon festival. We will travel with in-laws this time. It needs some planning, plane, car, hotel, and parking. We will drop by Colorado Spring and visit Santa Fe along the way.

Opened RothIRA account but haven't funded it yet. Will need to do that next week. Another account needs to be opened for the after tax investment.

My knee injurery seems to get better, I will do some running tomorrow. Hope to be able to run a marathon in Hawaii next year...