This is my first Memorial Day living in Chicago in the suburb of Warrenville. It is sad and uneventful. I have no grill to bbq on. Friends are busy. So I really just "bbq'd" my steaks and sausages on a frying pan. But I still did celebrate it with a few bottles of Bud Light.
There are two national holidays in the year that I absolutely must BBQ to celebrate and commemorate. These are Independence Day and Memorial Day. Independence Day to celebrate how we gained independence from being a colony of England. It marks the day where our path to being a great nation started. Memorial Day is how we got to being independent and how we continue to maintain the freedom which we enjoy. We remember everyone who served in all past wars and fought to for our values, freedom, and life we enjoy today in these United States.
Recently, in Facebook, there are posts criticizing Memorial Day BBQing and drinking. Some people use it as an excuse to do a cookout and go drinking to get drunk. I agree that this day should not be treated this way but rather revered. However, I disagree that we should not bbq and enjoy some beer on this day. This is not all-saints day to be somber and quiet. The people who sacrificed so much, I bet, did enjoy beer and grilling and would want us to do so. After all, this is what they fought for, our way of life, liberty, and freedom. I've consulted some of my veteran friends and they do cookout and drink beer but before doing so, they think about those who went before them and pour a couple for them. And that's how it should be, we remember them before we start celebrations. A prayer, a thought, some discussions, and an awareness of what was sacrificed for us to be enjoying this day.
For the past years, it's always been my tradition to watch war movies to remind me of this. My two favorite ones are; Saving Private Ryan, The Band of Brothers and The Pacific. Each viewing every year gives me a new or different perspective. As I watch them often, I understand what they fought and died for. It gives me a heightened understanding and appreciation the liberty that I am enjoying in the United States. It reminds me of the last line of Captain Miller from the movie Saving Private Ryan ... "Earn This.".
And so for all of us in the United States, we have the responsibility to "Earn This" from those who gave their lives for our freedom. To always be a good citizen of this country and to contribute to it's greatness all the time.
June 04, 2016
January 02, 2013
2013
Welcome 2013!
Wow! What a memorable 2012. A year full of ups and downs. It's never a perfect year. But it was a year full of new beginnings, continuing anguish, and opportunies to rise out of continuing and unexpected challenges.
Everyone has financial issues. I'm no exception. It's funny how some people continue to whine about their finances yet they are well off. The way I see it, the more one makes, the more one's tastes become expensive and luxurious. So, instead of looking at the dollar menu at Mcdonalds, our roving goes to the regular combo meals on the main center menu. But in the end we have to be responsible for our actions. We just have the will to do something about it. And 2013 is the year where I do something about it.
I met a lot of new friends and acquaintances in 2012. A bit surprising for me since I thought that at this age, you will never meet friends anymore. There comes a time when you are stuck with the friends you've had for years since meeting new friends requires your time and effort to connect. Yet I am surprised that I can still sustain and develop new friendships and relationships. Facebook helps a lot. Of course, not everyone can be your friends. No matter how hard you try, it's just that you will always rub certain people the wrong way. For that, I just have to let go and be really good friends to those who value who I am. I do believe that God puts people in your life for a purpose. The purpose? I'll never know. I'm glad to have formed a band. So honored to be a board member for an Asian civic group. Rejuvenated that I am able to do 2 things that makes me happy and fulfilled; being a DJ and playing bass for several bands. And I will strive to be much more better at these two this year.
I'm happy that I am still with my girlfriend of 1.5 years. A difficult and trying relationship granted that is a very long distance relationship. A lot of friends has advised me, in jest and full seriousness and concern, that I should look for someone close or in the same zip code as I live. But I just cannot end this on that reason alone. I cannot turn my back just because someone is far. I have to give it a chance to thrive and grow. It's only fair for me and her.
I found a new respect, joy and fondness for the sport of Dragonboat. I joined the MotivAsians Team that raced last September. Although, we did not place in the top 3, it reinvigorated the team sport spirit in me. It also provided me with some good workouts. It did took away a lot for free time from me since it required a weekly practice commitment. But I have to give it my all if I am to start doing something. And so, I had fun. I met a lot more new friends. With that, I look forward to 2013 and doing better and placing higher in this year's races.
I only have 3 resolutions; Be on time, go to church on sundays, and work out constantly. Simple resolutions that are very achievable.
I thank God that my health is holding up. For a diabetic, I am doing good. I need to be 100% diligent with my meds since I do forget to take it every once in awhile. I just pray that ED does not dawn on me until my later years. I am still single and am still looking forward to having kids.
I look forward to a prosperous 2013; financially, physically, emotionally, and physically.
Wow! What a memorable 2012. A year full of ups and downs. It's never a perfect year. But it was a year full of new beginnings, continuing anguish, and opportunies to rise out of continuing and unexpected challenges.
Everyone has financial issues. I'm no exception. It's funny how some people continue to whine about their finances yet they are well off. The way I see it, the more one makes, the more one's tastes become expensive and luxurious. So, instead of looking at the dollar menu at Mcdonalds, our roving goes to the regular combo meals on the main center menu. But in the end we have to be responsible for our actions. We just have the will to do something about it. And 2013 is the year where I do something about it.
I met a lot of new friends and acquaintances in 2012. A bit surprising for me since I thought that at this age, you will never meet friends anymore. There comes a time when you are stuck with the friends you've had for years since meeting new friends requires your time and effort to connect. Yet I am surprised that I can still sustain and develop new friendships and relationships. Facebook helps a lot. Of course, not everyone can be your friends. No matter how hard you try, it's just that you will always rub certain people the wrong way. For that, I just have to let go and be really good friends to those who value who I am. I do believe that God puts people in your life for a purpose. The purpose? I'll never know. I'm glad to have formed a band. So honored to be a board member for an Asian civic group. Rejuvenated that I am able to do 2 things that makes me happy and fulfilled; being a DJ and playing bass for several bands. And I will strive to be much more better at these two this year.
I'm happy that I am still with my girlfriend of 1.5 years. A difficult and trying relationship granted that is a very long distance relationship. A lot of friends has advised me, in jest and full seriousness and concern, that I should look for someone close or in the same zip code as I live. But I just cannot end this on that reason alone. I cannot turn my back just because someone is far. I have to give it a chance to thrive and grow. It's only fair for me and her.
I found a new respect, joy and fondness for the sport of Dragonboat. I joined the MotivAsians Team that raced last September. Although, we did not place in the top 3, it reinvigorated the team sport spirit in me. It also provided me with some good workouts. It did took away a lot for free time from me since it required a weekly practice commitment. But I have to give it my all if I am to start doing something. And so, I had fun. I met a lot more new friends. With that, I look forward to 2013 and doing better and placing higher in this year's races.
I only have 3 resolutions; Be on time, go to church on sundays, and work out constantly. Simple resolutions that are very achievable.
I thank God that my health is holding up. For a diabetic, I am doing good. I need to be 100% diligent with my meds since I do forget to take it every once in awhile. I just pray that ED does not dawn on me until my later years. I am still single and am still looking forward to having kids.
I look forward to a prosperous 2013; financially, physically, emotionally, and physically.
December 13, 2012
12-13-2012
Thanks for those who read my post. whoever you are, I appreciate the time you spent reading my thoughts.
It's been several years now since I stopped doing Christmas decorations. No trees. No lanterns. No signs. Just the postcards that I receive. I tape them to my dining area wall in a shape of a Christmas tree. Living alone in apartment can be sad during these holidays. And there were a lot of Christmases where I find myself alone in my apartment staring outside the snowy view. It just reminds me of how other people are so happy with their families. With their presents. And the joyful memories of Christmas past is outweighed by my depressing feeling of being alone every freakin Christmas.
But someday, maybe, there will be someone whom I can share these future holidays who is physically present with me. The Christmas spirit is not lost with me. Only on hiatus.
It's been several years now since I stopped doing Christmas decorations. No trees. No lanterns. No signs. Just the postcards that I receive. I tape them to my dining area wall in a shape of a Christmas tree. Living alone in apartment can be sad during these holidays. And there were a lot of Christmases where I find myself alone in my apartment staring outside the snowy view. It just reminds me of how other people are so happy with their families. With their presents. And the joyful memories of Christmas past is outweighed by my depressing feeling of being alone every freakin Christmas.
But someday, maybe, there will be someone whom I can share these future holidays who is physically present with me. The Christmas spirit is not lost with me. Only on hiatus.
December 12, 2012
12-12-2012
Well, I've had this blog site for years but I don't feel compelled to write anything. This is just for me and whoever accidentally discovers this site. With that in mind, should I freely drop names or should I still be cautious? I better still be coz who knows who ends up finding my blog.
So, I guess this is the last time numbers will align in our calendar date. A rare moment or instance in mankind's history. So, I'm glad that I'm alive when it happened. 12-12-12...a special day like 11-11-11, 10-10-10, 09-09-09 ( a special one for me since my birthday is Sept 9), 08-08-08 (another special day, Beijing Olympics Opening, and the day I accepted the job offer from Progressive Insurance), 07-07-07, 06-06-06, 05-05-05, 04-04-04, 03-03-03, 02-02-02, 01-01-01. All seems vague now on what I was doing on some of those days but nevertheless, I was part of it. History.
And so it goes ...
So, I guess this is the last time numbers will align in our calendar date. A rare moment or instance in mankind's history. So, I'm glad that I'm alive when it happened. 12-12-12...a special day like 11-11-11, 10-10-10, 09-09-09 ( a special one for me since my birthday is Sept 9), 08-08-08 (another special day, Beijing Olympics Opening, and the day I accepted the job offer from Progressive Insurance), 07-07-07, 06-06-06, 05-05-05, 04-04-04, 03-03-03, 02-02-02, 01-01-01. All seems vague now on what I was doing on some of those days but nevertheless, I was part of it. History.
And so it goes ...
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