Gosh, the cheery blossoms are already shedding their petals even before I had a chance to enjoy them. Somehow, this year, things just seem to glide by and I have no sense of being in control or staying in control of time, of my life, of anything. Or maybe we are just getting used to the change of seasons and the strangeness and the wonder are fading. That would be so sad. Tomorrow, I must make time to enjoy the onset of spring pushing away the cold and darkness of winter. Wait for me, please.
Time is not the only thing slipping away from me. Oftentimes, I feel my offsprings too. They make their own plans and we don't hear until it is all come to past. What is going on?
Friday, February 27, 2009
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Science
Spring is almost here. Overnight, it seems, the cherry blossoms are blooming everywhere. Except for the occasional cold spells which come just before the rains, the weather is definitely getting warmer. The days and nights are almost equal now. Speaking of rain, finally, the parched hills of California are getting some sprinkling and the wild flowers are even springing - fields of yellow on green slopes, a rare sight indeed. Californians are strange. The lack of precipitation in the past couple of years are bringing on the threat of drought and water rationing, yet some folks when faced with the little inconvenience of slower traffic and some difficulty with moving around, are even thinking they prefer the rains to go away. Oh well. Personally, I love the rain for the green hills that they nurture. The Tri-Valley looks so much more beautiful, definitely picturesque when the light shines on the green rolling slopes and pastures and the rainbow beams its cheerfulness on the earth.
Spring break is almost nigh and we have no plans. Last year, it took me weeks to plan out and make all the arrangements for Death Valley. I fear we are running out of time - but maybe with the economy the way it is, the hotels may not be as full as they would otherwise be. Or maybe we should be prudent and conserve. Just spend the week at home and visit nearby places within driving distance. Still, Yellowstone sounds so good.
This morning the half man and I went for the 4th of the 5 Science on Saturday lectures. To our surprise, there was a long queue even though we were at least half an hour early. The boy, as usual, was grunbling about being early but the sight of the queue stilled the tongue. The folks at the head of the queue, it appears, had been turned away from the 9:00 am session. Today was on fusion energy and its potential to power the voracious appetite of mankind for ever more energy without adding to the global climate change. Lawrence Livermore Labs has just in recent weeks completed the construction of the world's largest laser fusion facility, the size of 3 football fields. Still very experimental, it will be some years before we will see the first commercial application of the technology to power even a modest size city. I do remember learning about solar fusion when I was still a student back in secondary school. So the science is not new.
Forecast is rain again tomorrow. Tennis is at risk.
Spring break is almost nigh and we have no plans. Last year, it took me weeks to plan out and make all the arrangements for Death Valley. I fear we are running out of time - but maybe with the economy the way it is, the hotels may not be as full as they would otherwise be. Or maybe we should be prudent and conserve. Just spend the week at home and visit nearby places within driving distance. Still, Yellowstone sounds so good.
This morning the half man and I went for the 4th of the 5 Science on Saturday lectures. To our surprise, there was a long queue even though we were at least half an hour early. The boy, as usual, was grunbling about being early but the sight of the queue stilled the tongue. The folks at the head of the queue, it appears, had been turned away from the 9:00 am session. Today was on fusion energy and its potential to power the voracious appetite of mankind for ever more energy without adding to the global climate change. Lawrence Livermore Labs has just in recent weeks completed the construction of the world's largest laser fusion facility, the size of 3 football fields. Still very experimental, it will be some years before we will see the first commercial application of the technology to power even a modest size city. I do remember learning about solar fusion when I was still a student back in secondary school. So the science is not new.
Forecast is rain again tomorrow. Tennis is at risk.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
(Mis)Adventure
So the meditation story. That was a strange one. We are on this journey of self-discovery and rejuvenation and meditation is the path forward. Even the TV doctors confirmed that meditation and yoga are good for health, both mental and physical.
So on a beautiful Saturday morning, we ventured forth to a nearby country road, got a little lost trying to find the place, doubled a couple of times and eventually found our compass and our way to a hall set pretty far back from the road. We were not alone. There were, to my surprise, quite a large gathering. We avail ourselves of some space on carpets thrown around the big hall. Others who have mobility problems sat on chairs that ringed those of us on the floor. The session began and an Indian lady started to tell us about this meditation class. We had to sign some forms that bound us not to reveal the meditation chants, etc.
It seemed pretty impressive at first but into the first hour, I started to be sceptical. This was one of those that did not seem to teach people meditation for the sake of their health. There were good bits to it, I will admit, because the teachings about the chakras and the exercises rang true. The rest which I will not go into, I did not accept - too much of a personality cultish air for my liking, especially when the founder does not look like someone I could relate to or look up to. So we never went back to the second session. We decided playing tennis with our China friends at Amador Valley was better for our bodies.
This story does not in any way discredit meditation as an erstwhile undertaking. We will find a genuinely good source of teachings and when we do, it will strengthen our spirits and minds.
So on a beautiful Saturday morning, we ventured forth to a nearby country road, got a little lost trying to find the place, doubled a couple of times and eventually found our compass and our way to a hall set pretty far back from the road. We were not alone. There were, to my surprise, quite a large gathering. We avail ourselves of some space on carpets thrown around the big hall. Others who have mobility problems sat on chairs that ringed those of us on the floor. The session began and an Indian lady started to tell us about this meditation class. We had to sign some forms that bound us not to reveal the meditation chants, etc.
It seemed pretty impressive at first but into the first hour, I started to be sceptical. This was one of those that did not seem to teach people meditation for the sake of their health. There were good bits to it, I will admit, because the teachings about the chakras and the exercises rang true. The rest which I will not go into, I did not accept - too much of a personality cultish air for my liking, especially when the founder does not look like someone I could relate to or look up to. So we never went back to the second session. We decided playing tennis with our China friends at Amador Valley was better for our bodies.
This story does not in any way discredit meditation as an erstwhile undertaking. We will find a genuinely good source of teachings and when we do, it will strengthen our spirits and minds.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Weekend
The boy and I are about to go to the 3 Science on Saturday lecture in Livermore for middle and high school students. We missed the first because the Man and I signed up for a meditation class - that's a story for another day. And it was, as usual, a battle getting him to go to the one last week but he is now enlightened. Willingly, he will go to this one. The 3rd of 5 put on by the world famous Livermore Labs. And today, the topic is: Avoiding Armageddon: Diverting Asteroids with Nuclear Explosives. Sounds like something we need to pay attention to. Who knows what may come crashing down on us tomorrow. Maybe even today.
I hope we get there early enough to get seats. Last week, we were turned away and had to stand at the corridor trying hard to stare at a 32" plasma tv of the lecture listening through crappy car stereo type speakers while other teens who similarly could not gain admittance were talking nineteen to the dozen. Fortunately, the usher inside found 3 extra seats and I quickly pushed the Half Man in his face. Hence the enlightenment. Today, I hope to find mine.
Tomorrow, we will have dinner with the Lais, Tans, et al, at the Silva's. Ahh... Good food and even better company.
I hope we get there early enough to get seats. Last week, we were turned away and had to stand at the corridor trying hard to stare at a 32" plasma tv of the lecture listening through crappy car stereo type speakers while other teens who similarly could not gain admittance were talking nineteen to the dozen. Fortunately, the usher inside found 3 extra seats and I quickly pushed the Half Man in his face. Hence the enlightenment. Today, I hope to find mine.
Tomorrow, we will have dinner with the Lais, Tans, et al, at the Silva's. Ahh... Good food and even better company.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Friends & Family
Bummer. I just lost a tonne of words because of one keystroke. Stupid touch pad.
So I have been addicted lately. To the goggle box. A hard day's work, dinner with the Man and a Half, do the dishes, then hop onto the bed for a bit of NCIS followed by an hour of the doctor's show. I even got the Man and a Half somewhat addicted too. To watching 4 doctors doling out medical advice, sometimes prancing on the stage, sometimes performing medical procedures on real life people, listening to ordinary Americans talk about all their medical and non-medical problems, real and surreal, asking for help and sometimes getting them, rarely not, and mostly getting generous doses of common sense talking to. Eat healthy, exercise daily, get enough sleep, look out for symptoms, ignore kids with tantrums, slim down, get liposuction and liposculpture, enjoy your time with the spouse, get plenty of intimidate time with spouse, ... One watches sometimes with a certain morbid fascination, wondering how people can get so obese, glad your health is still holding up and occasionally envying the people who were fortunate enough to get their problems taken care of by the doctors, probably for free.
Yes, it made us potato (actually bed) couches but hey, it also made for good family bonding and togetherness. Keeping warm under the blankets, snuggling against each other, munching on chips while watching others air their medical woes. Twisted and contrary to the doctors' orders? Maybe but feels so good.
Winter's almost over. From the kitchen window, you can see the pink and white plum blossoms sprouting on the bare branches. So pretty. And on the front lawn, just today, the Man beckoned me to look at the bush full of red blooms. I need my camera back, Nic. Soon, we should be able to make use of the large backyard and enjoy the deck instead of peering through the glass doors, afraid to step out into the cold.
We have not made any plans for Spring break. Should we drive up to Vancouver to see Brynn and Peng and his family? They will be going back in June and invitations to spend time in California have not made any headways.
The Man has broken new grounds - he made some good friends with a group of retirees. Unique. Because this is a group of Americans who have known each other for decades but happily accepted a recently arrived foreign-born into their inner circle. Because of mutual love of tennis. I am happy. The company's good for him and having a wider social circle is good for all of us. The Man seems to be well liked by his friends - they even included him in a recent sightseeing trip to a new cathedral in Oakland. Unfortunately, one of them - Ted - passed away about a month ago and we went to his memorial on Saturday. An interesting experience. We have never been to a memorial. And to be among the youngest in the circle. That's a feeling I have not had in a long time. It feels good to be young again.
So I have been addicted lately. To the goggle box. A hard day's work, dinner with the Man and a Half, do the dishes, then hop onto the bed for a bit of NCIS followed by an hour of the doctor's show. I even got the Man and a Half somewhat addicted too. To watching 4 doctors doling out medical advice, sometimes prancing on the stage, sometimes performing medical procedures on real life people, listening to ordinary Americans talk about all their medical and non-medical problems, real and surreal, asking for help and sometimes getting them, rarely not, and mostly getting generous doses of common sense talking to. Eat healthy, exercise daily, get enough sleep, look out for symptoms, ignore kids with tantrums, slim down, get liposuction and liposculpture, enjoy your time with the spouse, get plenty of intimidate time with spouse, ... One watches sometimes with a certain morbid fascination, wondering how people can get so obese, glad your health is still holding up and occasionally envying the people who were fortunate enough to get their problems taken care of by the doctors, probably for free.
Yes, it made us potato (actually bed) couches but hey, it also made for good family bonding and togetherness. Keeping warm under the blankets, snuggling against each other, munching on chips while watching others air their medical woes. Twisted and contrary to the doctors' orders? Maybe but feels so good.
Winter's almost over. From the kitchen window, you can see the pink and white plum blossoms sprouting on the bare branches. So pretty. And on the front lawn, just today, the Man beckoned me to look at the bush full of red blooms. I need my camera back, Nic. Soon, we should be able to make use of the large backyard and enjoy the deck instead of peering through the glass doors, afraid to step out into the cold.
We have not made any plans for Spring break. Should we drive up to Vancouver to see Brynn and Peng and his family? They will be going back in June and invitations to spend time in California have not made any headways.
The Man has broken new grounds - he made some good friends with a group of retirees. Unique. Because this is a group of Americans who have known each other for decades but happily accepted a recently arrived foreign-born into their inner circle. Because of mutual love of tennis. I am happy. The company's good for him and having a wider social circle is good for all of us. The Man seems to be well liked by his friends - they even included him in a recent sightseeing trip to a new cathedral in Oakland. Unfortunately, one of them - Ted - passed away about a month ago and we went to his memorial on Saturday. An interesting experience. We have never been to a memorial. And to be among the youngest in the circle. That's a feeling I have not had in a long time. It feels good to be young again.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)