wind down...

whew, long day with melissa. the bolder boulder really kicked my half-ass-trained butt today. ran 6.2 miles in 1 hr 16 min with an average pace of 12 min/mile. not too bad! especially, since i'm pretty sure i walked half of it. haha.

spent the afternoon at marika's for an impromptu memorial day BBQ with margaritas and volleyball. then just came home from sex and the city 2 with melissa. whole body is tired and ready to knock out for work tomorrow.

erma and i are going to stay at our condo tomorrow night for the first time. woot. been so busy i haven't even finished unpacking or gotten any sheets for me to sleep on!! but it'll all come together soon. house warming party in one month!

translation please.

so at work, i always see these little kids translating in English for their immigrant/refugee parents. it reminds me of when we were young and my parents would have us interpret for them, sometimes very important phone calls.

the psychotherapist at work said that many of the kids are now suffering from depression or stress because they have to interpret during their parents' mental health sessions... and then they become aware of things like: they are going to get kicked out of their home, or their parents want a divorce, or that their parents are going be forced out of the country. serious business. and when i say kids, i mean some are as young as 7 or 8. it's really sad. talk about having to grow up at a young age. it's true, parents hide a lot from their kids--to keep their minds innocent and pure.

although i could relate to this scenario on such a minor scale, it is a reminder to me about the 'american dream' and what first-generation immigrants have gone through to get here.

the people i meet never cease to amaze me. i've learned so much...

bolder boulder training

...or lack thereof.

so i'm all registered. i wonder if i should get some new running shoes... probably not at this point, huh? just one week. probably should have thought about this a little earlier...

i'm scurred. 10k = 6.2 miles. i think i can do it. i was running about 45 minutes straight last week. that's a good sign. just need to put some more work in these next few days. oh yayers.

TIME 100

Each year, Time magazine releases its “Top 100 Most Influential People in the World”. The magazine's list, now in its seventh year, recognizes the activism, innovation and achievement of the world's most influential individuals.

I'm doing an article on this for the next Asian Avenue magazine cover story and this women just completely stood out on this list...

Chen Shu-Chu - Taiwanese, 59, Vegetable Vender
Chen Shu-Chu sells vegetables in a stall in Taitung County's central market, in eastern Taiwan. From her modest living, she has managed to donate nearly NT$10 million (that's $320,000) to various causes, including a children's fund, the construction of a library at a school she attended, and a local orphanage, where she also gives financial support to three children.

According to Time magazine, “What's so wonderful about Chen's achievement is not its extraordinariness but that it is so simple and matter of fact in its generosity. And rather than bask in her celebrity, Chen seems to dismiss the whole thing with a wave of her hand, perhaps even with a hint of irritation.”

"There isn't much to talk about, because I did not enter any competition," she says. "I haven't really made any huge donations."

She's planning to establish a fund to help the poor with education, food and health care. Amazing, but of all she has given away, her greatest gift is her example.

“Money serves its purpose only when it is used for those who need it," she told a newspaper.

Most of the other individuals are politicians, business people, writers and doctors... I love that she is a VEGETABLE VENDOR.

sigh of relief...

everything worked out in the end. and we closed on the condo today.

i have the keys. i went over there after work just to see it and to be friends with it. she is pretty.

really busy weekend, but hopefully i can start moving some things on sunday, since i will be out of town the following weekend. so exciting!!!!!!!!

i have an interview for the mba program in two weeks too. things are happening so fast. =)

laughing

today, i laughed really hard. the hardest i have in a long time. the day went on, and it happened again. :)

after work, i went to look at TVs, laundry machines, dryers, artwork and other household items. i'm excited to have somewhere to call home and to be able to decorate the way i want to. putting up photos, installing curtains, painting the walls, taking care of plants... i feel lucky and grateful. my life is coming together and a lot of the hurt and pain is starting to go away. thank god.

9300 florida

had a walk through today to put the final touches on the condo. it is beautiful. :) closing on friday with my sister. wei and vicky's wedding this saturday and isle casino event on sunday!! should be a very eventful week with lots to look forward to.

keeping my head up. making it a point to keep moving forward and not look back. wouldn't want to turn into a pillar of salt or anything.

biggest loser.

oh no, uncle o'neal!!! biggest loser so sad this week.

break-ups in the 21st century

mannn... breaking up these days is hard. there's just too much technology and ways to connect with someone. especially for someone like me with no self control.

facebook, youtube, texts, calls, emails, chats, gahhh... i wish we could just stop writing letters and call it a day.

HAHA. time and space. time and space. okay, got it. or do i?

i'm packing again...

but this time is different.

this time i know where i am going... and i like it.

this time i'm throwing away more than i ever have in the past.

and this time i feel good :)