The sadness

I heard on WTOP yesterday that 200,000 people are reported dead in Haiti. That's a whole lot of people and more than I would ever know.  If I was born in Haiti, it's highly likely that all the people I know, friends, acquaintances, and basically my entire environment would be wiped out completely.  I don't even know what i would do put in that situation.  And I guess events or death tolls like this puts things into perspective for me.  When sadness is tearing away at people and simply overwhelming, I think it's so strong that people across the world can feel that same sadness, and as you get closer to Haiti, I'm sure the grief and the loss intensifies.   


While surfing on Facebook last night, I found out with sadness that this missionary kid I had met on a trip to Taiwan in 5th grade got in a fatal car accident yesterday and passed soon after.  She was one year younger than myself, and apparently on her way to work, as a 4th grade teacher.   I only met her less than a handful of times.  From the time I met her in 5th grade to the time we visited their family in the U.S, I remember that she had a lot of joy, a lot of smiles that made our visits very comfortable and enjoyable too.  If she lived near me, I'd probably want to be her friend because she was one of those genuinely cheery souls, and it only took a matter of seconds to realize this.  She passed away in a matter of seconds and without any warning. 


Yesterday, as I drove home from work I saw this middle aged man walking home on the sidewalk with his groceries.  He had three long rolls of italian or french bread along with other groceries and as I waited at a red light, I saw that one of the rolls slipped out of its clear plastic cover and touched the concrete in its bare skin.  As he realized what had occurred, I could feel the sadness there.  It was a long piece of bread, but things like that can turn a day sour.  


Death and funerals and even italian rolls can make people live their days in sadness, but I was thinking that at least in sadness, we begin to take notice of people that we may never have even lay a thought on.  We become more aware, we recall and remember, and we come to know people just a bit more.  

Spinning and spinning

In the year of 2010 and I decided to be a so called "risktaker" and to try new things.  Now I thought that after I wrote a letter to Oprah, that she'd actually call me or write me back soon, but apparently, she's a little busy. So in the meantime, I'm still trying new things. YESTERDAY, I decided to make something for my husband, since he's been sick and I haven't been too disciplined in providing him with food.  So I made chili! Is that new?  Well, not really because I've eaten it many times, BUT I've never made it myself.  So yesterday I called my sister up and ventured to put some food on the table.

This week I also decided to try the spinning class at my new gym.  Typically, for an little Asian like myself, I can get some anxiety when going to class alone. I mean even when I took swimming lesson at the Y when I was younger, my mom got two friends to join swimming class with me. This way, I could have one friend sit on each side and I wouldn't bail out or waste my mom's money.  I think I have the perseverance and persistence of lion at times and then at other times I'm just pure baby --shy and extremely scared.  Anyways, I took spinning class and went into that class alone and while I had no friends, it was too fun!  They had loud techno music playing that made me almost feel like I was dancing (which I love to do) and it was part of my membership.  What's next? Pilates? Yoga? or ZUMBA?? We'll have to see.  Stay updated...=)

Living the Risky Life -Oprah, cars, and tow trucks

I heard a sermon yesterday that inspired me to live the risky life. So this morning, instead of starting off fresh and early on a project for school, I decided to email Oprah. That's right, it took me over an hour and I had to write everything in less than 2000 characters, but it was worth it and I had some valuable things to share with her. I can't tell you what I wrote because she'll read it on her show soon... OR maybe even have me go on her show. Highly likely. Wouldn't that amazing... something different for a change. I felt pretty good about it.

Anyhow, this evening, I was sitting in my car around 6pm waiting for awhile since there was the usual accident blocking the roadway. Here's the question of the day: Why in the world are people so self centered? I wanted to get over one lane to the right because my lane turned left (and NO I didn't know that it turned left). Of course, noone let me in. I even honked to get the attention of the car next to me. Well the first guy, TOTALLY ignored me, as if he didn't hear my honks (they weren't mean ones but I honked enough that he heard it), the next white haired guy, totally ignored me too... these were acceptable although not favorable, but the last lady, I gave a honk and she started giving me attitude, almost as if she was chanting, "You are NOT going in my lane. I've been here for hours and you are NOT going in my lane." Her neck was moving all funny and all. If you're one of those people who don't let others in, I have the feeling you're also the type of person who considers everyone who doesn't do what you want on the road a bad driver. WELL, maybe you should consider that you're the bad driver because you are evil and don't let people on the road. Did you BUY the lane you're in? Did you BUY the entire road? Did you even ADOPT the road?!? I will have to post these questions on my window the next time I encounter people like I did today.

Related to road injustice, a tow truck around that same time drove by traffic on the right edge of the road. I'm assuming it was getting to the accident. The second question for the day is... Isn't it sad that tow trucks spend most of their time driving on the edge of the road? Isn't that bad for the tires? And isn't it even sadder that tow truck drivers only see beat up cars or ones that are illegally parked? I think they must be like the farmers.. they probably deserve more respect. The one thing that is pretty cool is that they like policemen have lights, just not the red and blue ones, but at least they get to drive through traffic and defy traffic laws once in awhile. I guess that evens things up...

If You Can't Study

If you can't study or you're just not motivated, I'm finding that the next best thing is to bake or cook something.  At least I'm doing something productive right?? One of my favorite things to do is to make or bake something with something I already have. WHALAAA, that's exactly what happened in the last two or three days.  Leftover turkey?  Chocolate chips and flour anyone??

As I mentioned, I do in fact have a paper for my Global Health course due in a little bit, but when you discover an amazing recipe, it's hard to stay focused. So I easily strayed from my boring Word Doc the other day to two of the coolest, tastiest, and best recipes online.  

Me!?!??  A cooking maniac?  Yes, I would have laughed only a few months back hearing this (My huz is actually the gourmet chef) , but I'm really starting to get the hang of what I'll term "google cooking".   Both recipes that I'm sharing are a result of this technique and I have to say, things are going very well.  

How to "google cook": Type in "Best" and "(the food you'd like to cook/bake). If you really want to kill it, type in "Very best" or "amazing".  They all work.

Below are a turkey pot pie recipe and the best big fat chewy chocolate chip cookie recipe.  The cookies taste BEST oven fresh.  Go ahead, impress yourself!  Yum yum!

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Turkey-Pot-Pie-III/Detail.aspx

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/best-big-fat-chewy-chocolate-chip-cookie/detail.aspx

Turkey and Mrs. Tom

I'm learning what it means to sacrifice and humble yourself for the sake of encouraging another. When I was about 10 or maybe even younger, I began slugging/running the BCC Turkey Chase with my parents and sisters.  Since then, I've probably run about 10 other Turkey Chase races sometimes with large caboodles of inspired friends and a few times alone.  I'm dedicated to this race.  Thanksgiving just isn't Thanksgiving unless I get a good run, whether in hot, cold, or even rainy weather. I've tried all three temperatures and every year, it reminds me of how good it feels to be healthy and able to run. 

In college, I quickly realized that I was capable of running further than the basic 2 miler.   Since then, I've run the 10k which is 6.2 miles and have graduated onto longer races even. I call myself a runner and quite proud of it.  Strangely, after the July nuptials, I haven't had the marathon/presidential discipline I typically have.  I feel lumpy now like a sack of sleepy potatoes.  

So this year, I convinced Kevin to run the 2 miler, which took some convincing might I say, and I as a married woman, signed up for the 2 miler as well.  That's right, I signed up for the 2 miler and while my desire and love would be to run the 10k, I decided to run with my man because he would like me to run with him.  In some ways, I'm embarrassed, hoping that none of my running friends from my club will see me. At the same time, I'm glad to get to run this race in whatever capacity and to have my man run it with me.   While he typically gets sick quite often, I'm glad to say that he has not gotten sick, despite the fact that he is teaching coughing germy buger filled 2nd graders.  If that's what it takes for a man to succeed, maybe it is worth it.  Maybe. 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

(Photo: Julia helping me model one of many turkey chase shirts. )

I totally admit that this itandkt blog is not really about kevin and I, it's about me. I think I just like to blog or write and I was using our wedding as a reason to create another blog. Well, cheers to that.

Lately, life has been pretty chill. In some ways, I feel like I'm not busy enough because I find myself sitting on the couch just to sit and sleeping average recommended hours. Part of me is ready to volunteer, run the next marathon, and call someone up to catch up to fill the time, but the other half of me holds me back telling me that I need to learn how to just sit and do nothing and enjoy silence, solitude and chilling!

My busy bee mentality is simply a result of being born of the ultimate busy bee. My mother is by far the most productive person ever. She wastes not even seconds and she is no doubt effective, but very busy. I remember growing up, there was always something to do in the house. One time while I came home for a college break, I remember sitting on the couch watching TV and feeling guilty when my mom looked down in the family room at me. She might have asked me if I had something else better to do. Whatever the case, the women in my family are pretty quick, proactive aka busy women. Now you would think that being productive is a good quality to have, especially in the workng world. In reality it means that you do twice as much work in half the time and end up giving your company a coupon for all the work you did. And it also means that when you get home and lay down for a nap, you feel lazy! What a horrible horrible thing...
sigh.=)

A Good View

It's been a rough week where I have felt things have been thrown in my direction from all sides. Relationships with family, friends, school, they've all been a pretty big mess.  Despite all that, I have to say a good view can make all the difference and really has the impact to calm the soul. I'm at peace and I'm truly thankful for that. God is my ultimate sustainer. Kevin is second on that list. 

Some people want a big home with a great kitchen and all.  While I only have two bedrooms and one bath, I think I've gotten as big a home as I want and a great kitchen to go with it.  Add the beautiful view and I've got the ice cream with OREOS and 10 cherries on top.   When we first were looking at places to buy, I was deeply attracted to this condo.  Kevin was attracted to the new gas stove while I on the other hand, "loved the view!" With five sliding windows, the light streams in every morning, starting my day off just right.   

Right now, I'm working on a project for class and while it is "work" I can't complain because the sky is angelicly bluish white and the trees seem so content as they're slowly changing color. Yeah for beautiful views and for changing seasons.  Here's a peak at my current view in bad camera quality.