Getaway To Kansas City - Part 1

Many of you knew that I spent a week or so at Kansas City for a white Christmas, which I haven't experienced since end of year 2003. It was an impromptu road trip with xiao Billy, but little did I know both of us would face so many obstacles along the way - the brutal weather of snow storms, icy roads, zero visibilities, and freezing temperature. The most stressful road trip ever, but now that I look back, it is all worthwhile.

Reason #1: xiao Billy's first White Christmas in a very long time. I don't think he remembered the first time when he walked on the snow back in Ames, Iowa, since he was such a puppy. During his stay in Kansas City, he couldn't wait to be out in the snow regardless of how trembling he was under cold weather :/

Reason #2: To be able to meet both the crazy brothers since the last time we met back in Hawaii on 2005 (Koon) and 2007 (Joe), if not mistaken, along with Joe's home-cooked lunch + dinner when we got stranded at home on the first day of Christmas. To be able to mesmerize with the snowy serene place once again. I've nearly forgotten on how soft the touch of the snow is, but obviously not days after when the snow started to melt :P

All in all, I sympathized xiao Billy to have to go through all the hardship obstacles on the road with me. But, oh well, who knows he does feel that it is all worthwhile for him too. The way he reacted to snow was way beyond my imagination. I never thought he loves snow that much! After a long exposure to fluffy snow and cold weather, he went to bed much earlier than I did... I couldn't stop grinning from ear to ear when seeing him sleeping soundly, snoozing off to his fantasy-snowy-land =)

Auto Repair and Maintenance

I was chitchatting with one my acquaintance the other day when she mentioned about her last visit to San Francisco for a-week holiday. The over all trip would be a perfect getaway for her and her fiance if not because of some misfortune that happened during the trip. Their 3-yr old used Honda Accord broke down while they were about to cross the Golden Gate bridge. So, they had their car towed and to be serviced at San Francisco auto repair. It took them almost a day to get the timing belt replaced and some other stuffs repaired. What a day for both of them.

Two months before I flew back to Dallas, he brought the car for an intensive repair and maintenance in Florida - from changing engine oil and filter to replacing brake pad and tires, and repairing some of the interior stuffs. According to him, all of these cost him four digits, which to my honest opinion is too pricey. But, it has been a while since we procrastinated to get the interior repaired. Anyway, it is the final result that matters, isn't it? *giggles*

02.01.2010

February 1st, 2010...

My first day at home on this very new year. I touched down KLIA around 45 minutes pass noon, with a brand new attitude, a refreshed me.

To some, it may sound ridiculous to be back again after just less than two months of my return to Dallas from Malaysia. But, personally, I feel it is all worth it to be able to celebrate Lunar New Year 2010 with my family for the first time in a decade. So happened that er mei was back from Aussie the same day as mine but at a much later time. It is absolutely priceless...

To my parents, at this very date, it meant so much to them to be able to reunite with their kids on this special festival. And for us siblings, it is the time to bring down the house... LOL... Poor my parents to have to deal with five of us - the craziness, the bickering, the laughters, and what not. Oh well, I am pretty sure they won't mind having the adult us with a little (or overdosage) insanities instilled in us *giggles*

Day Worth Remembrance

Today (January 29th, 2009) will be the day worth remembrance and celebration. This is the day I have been waiting for, after ten years being in the states. Wow! I couldn't believe my eyes on what I have received in the mail. I am so darn happy now! *jumping in joy*

2010 is going so well for me thus far. Thank God for Your blessings!

Wedding Invitations On Year of Tiger

Chinese New Year (aka Lunar New Year) is approaching soon in two weeks. This year, in particular, will be a special one for many of us since Chinese New Year coincides with the Valentine's Day. Aside from that, 2010 signifies the most special year to me and also to my parents and siblings because I get to celebrate this festival with them the first time in ten years. Yeap, I have been away from home for that long, and even though I DID head back occasionally for holidays, it just never happened to coincide with one of the biggest festive at home.

Anyway, in two more weeks, we will be entering the Year of Tiger 2010, which is the third year in 12-year cycle of Chinese zodiac. For many Chinese, they believe that the Tiger has the biggest conflict with many of the zodiacs, so the older generation will advice the younger generation or to those who are about to get married not to have their weddings on the Year of Tiger. Personally, I am not sure how true it is, but there are times when we have to believe what the elderly said. It is better to avoid than to feel sorry later on, right?

So, compared to last year, wedding invitations for this year are much quieter. For sure there will still be weddings going on because not everybody is that superstitious ;) However, Vop Studio photography business is affected from this though. According to J & S, there are much lesser inquiries from clients this year in comparison to the ones they received last year. Hmm, maybe God wants both of you to have a break, and gives you two the opportunities to take the time to learn more in-depth about photography. You will just never know what God plan has for each and everyone of us.

But, whatever it is, whether it is Year of Tiger or anything, it is a brand new year to those who celebrate Chinese New Year, and we should welcome the year with an open arm. I am. What about you?