All Things But None

So here's the picture that I was going to post to go along with my other entry. I love this picture of my mum n' dad... a whole lot. I don't think they were even married at the time. I like the way my mum's lips are colored... a deep pomegranate. Who would've thought this old picture would end up encapsulated in cyberspace!

That was more than 50 years ago... I can only smile whenever I look at this picture, yet I smile with a tainted heart. I'm not sure what else to say...

Mom, Dad - I'm thinking of you today!

--

Currently listening:
佛光山 Buddhist Choir - Wu Sian Song II

How was everyone's weekend? Fun? Exciting? Or just restful? Hope everyone had a great weekend! What'd you do? Well I can actually go to everyone's blog and read about it there. I shall do that! :-)

I had another good visit seeing my folks this weekend. Showed up around lunchtime, ahaha, just in time for lunch! :-) My grandmother looked a lot better this time. I'm glad. Though she repeated the same thing to me like 4 times whenever I went to see her in her room. "I don't need anymore lotion, but next time, get this one... not this one!" Although the same brand, she wanted this particular pump dispenser, not the fancier one. Her telling me things four times doesn't bother me at all, I just obliged. She seems alert, but I wonder if she forgot that she had told me already, or that she just wanted to repeat herself to make sure I get it. :-/

At one time, I was teaching my dad how to do online banking on his computer. He wrote everything down as I explained the process to him. Next year he'll be 80 and though a bit reluctantly, he still wants to learn, and I'm very proud of him. We had our shoes off in the room, and with our bare feet while I was sitting next to him, I put my foot next to his... I noticed that our feet looked amazingly identical! I pointed that out to my dad and he laughed, and I did, too. And somehow I was glad that our feet look alike! heh!

So when it was almost time to go, I asked my mum if she'd show me her garden again... and this time, I was ready with my camera! heh! She put on her hat and out we went. Y'know it's really a fun place to be, and to see all the little veggies grow and grow... Life is so amazing beautiful no matter how tiny and remote you are. Anyway, here are a few pictures that I took. But it's always more fun to see the real thing... but you knew that already! :-) Here goes...

The soil is all dry and hard, but with lots of TLC, out comes happy melons! :-)

I love how they just sit around, and do nothing! I guess I'm like a melon sometimes! hehe! Also a tiny spider was resting on top of the one in the center. Ahh, nice!

This really isn't as dense as it looks... The far back has a driveway in between and there's a good 8 feet right behind the little wall here in the front. Lookie, Chinese string beans... or at least I think that's what they're called. Mum gave me a whole bag last time!

Too cute. But I don't know what they are called! I just eat them! Mmm...

Tomatoes tomatoes tomatoes, say that twenty times! All big n' small! Mum gave me another bagful again... Of course she picked the the best lookin' ones for me! You'll see 'em down below! Thanks mum!

Happy melons! I love looking at them... So content, just sitting there and soaking up the rays!! "More water please!!"

A close up shot! The big ones now are about 10 inches in circumference, and they get even bigger! Next time, I should bring some of those big wiggly eyes stickers and stick 'em on there! heh! Noticed that my mum put some dry straw thingy underneath each one so they won't get 'bruised' up... like baby beddings! :-)

The is that gynormous gourd thingy that my mum was holding in that one picture. Yup, we all have to start as babies!

Here's another one... As you can see, the bigger ones like to hide!! Come out come out!

These are the smaller tomatoes actually, but a bit bigger than those cherry ones!

Baby green bell peppers... I'm a newbie, I've never seen them before as babies! Too precious! "How big do these get mum?" "About a good 4 to 5 inches!" "That's big!"

She also has a giant pomegranate tree! Time for pickin'!! There are also 2 full grown avocado trees closer to the house. Hmm, can't wait!!

Another melon... This one doesn't like the sun as much I don't think. See the bedding? My mum's funny!

Ah, a bitter melon... just hanging around! They're very bitter but are supposed to be really good for your health! Have you noticed that all the 'bad' tasting foods seem to be better for you?!!

"Meow!" One of my mum's kitties. He also has an identical brother, but he's to his left which you can't see! They're really good kitties!!! Right before the picture, my mum was petting him and accidentally said "It's very hot out ah suen!" That means "grandchild" in Cantonese... That made me sad! She really misses my brother's kids - a lot.

So these are the ones I brought home!! They ARE this bright and vibrant!! I really don't know how my mum does it!

Well, there you have it! Hope you all enjoyed the little tour. And you know, this coming winter, they'll most likely be all gone... They only last for a short while, yet while they're here, they give us so much joy... but isn't that enough? Sorry if I'm sounding a bit corny/sappy again! Have a great week everyone! Thanks again for visiting. I can't say enough. xoxo

Goodness, it's been more than a whole week... Been wanting to write here and there, but there isn't much time it seems. My mum must be tired of holding that melon in the picture, gets me all tired just looking at her! :-) I was going to upload another picture of my mum n' dad... It's an old photo, taken even before they were married I believe. I've never seen it before until recently. One day I went over to my mom and dads' place and there it was... a little 4x6 sitting nicely on top of one of the cabinets out in the living room. I like the way it was retouched... colorized. I'll post the picture up soon when I have another story to tell about my folks. This is something I hardly think about though... Looking back and seeing our parents being so young and innocent, what big dreams they must've had... and yet the dreams they must've given up in order to raise a family of their own. I know that not all parents give up their dreams because of raising their children, but I believe that most do. It's a choice, and whatever the reason, I think that's quite admirable.

Anyway, I'm going back to my folks' again this weekend and will take more pictures of her 'crop'. I gave 4 tomatoes to a coworker of mine and one night she had a dinner party and made a tomato salad, she said it was a hit. You know how some tomatoes can be too juicy inside and a bit 'hollow'? These were dense and with very few seeds.. I don't know how my mom does it in that hard soil, but she's doing it. I'm hoping she'll have a few more for me this weekend. ehehe! Now I feel silly, talking 'bout tomatoes!

What else!?! The company that I work for is going through some tremulous times these days, but it'll bounce back I'm sure. It'll be tense for the rest of this year and early next, but that's expected. There have been massive layoffs since last week and I might very well be next, but I can't worry about something that I have no control over. Right? So if I go, I go... I'll just have to get another job then won't I? :-) Which company I work for you ask? Think 'mortgage banking'! hehe!

A friend of mine is going through hard times lately. His relationship of 2yrs ended about 6 weeks ago and he hasn't been doing well. He never knew this much emotions could go through one's mind in such a short period of time. One moment he's happy and the next he's sad [nothing new to me! haha!]... such a roller coaster ride... but such as life! He's getting better though! People say time heals, I think, mostly, time just makes you forget! Either way, it works for me! I don't think I have much inspirations or wise words to give him, but if I were to, I think I would just simply tell him to 'think universally'... cuz life is only as small [and big] as we perceive it to be!

And with that said, I'll end it here. 'til next time!! Happy Wednesday everybody!! xoxo

Seems like it's been a long time since I wrote anything. A week IS a long time in the blogworld innit? I hope everyone had a good week since and a great week to come. Not much happened with me. A coworker asked me yesterday if I did anything exciting over the weekend, I said, "Yeah, I saw my folks!" Maybe not as 'exciting' to you as it seems, I guess I was more glad and happy about it. I usually see them every 2 weeks, that's only 2 dozen times a year, and when I think about it, it isn't all that much. And last weekend I just didn't have the time so I was kinda bummed not being able to visit them. But Alec and I saw them this Saturday and it was a very nice visit.

For the past few years, my mum's been growing most of her own veggies in the back lot. The soil isn't even good, but what comes out is nothing but amazing. She's been growing bitter melons, winter melons, Chinese string beans, small chili peppers and tomatoes. So we got there at around 11.30am this Saturday and my mum took Alec and I on a mini tour of her veggie garden. Especially the tomatoes, the colors are brilliant and they're heavy and beefy as hell. Nice, solid, juicy tomatoes. Mmm...

Too bad I don't like bitter melons, but they're supposed to be really good for you. I see that the soil is quite hard and fulla rocks and not suitable for growing anything but weeds, but somehow my mum managed to be doing quite well. I don't know how she does it, but every year she's been successful on her crop. I believe it's the love and devotion that she gives that the veggies thrive on.

Long story, but about a year ago my brother and his wife got into a bad disagreement with my parents, they've stopped letting her see their grandchildren since then. Maybe the way she tends to her garden has something to do with it... Seeing how she takes care of her veggie patch is nothing short of amazing. She told us that she waters her veggies twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening for about an hour each time. "The money that I use to water probably can buy us all the veggies you see here!" she said. Alec and I both laughed and yet she's probably right! :-)

I also saw my brother that day. He went to my dad's to pick up something. I saw him briefly and gave him a big hug. He didn't hug back but he appreciated it... He just smiled. He's like that. I remembered when I told my parents about me being gay, he was the one who came in to my room and gave me a hug as I was crying... Anyway, their relationship has gotten better, but his wife still isn't talking. So before he left, my mum gave him a box of fresh veggies to take home. My dad also made him a sandwich, but my brother didn't take it cuz he was full or something.

While I was there, I also spent a good amount of time just hanging out with grandma. While Alec was out in the living room watching TV [that's Chinese television, poor thing! :-)] and talking to my dad, I was in my grandma's room. Just watching her, being with her. She can hardly hear me these days, and she refuses to use an hearing aid either. Every time my mum would need to raise her voice just so grandma could hear. Poor mum. Grandma started using a cane about 3 weeks ago after she fell, but she only uses that when she absolutely has to. She refuses to use a walker and pushing her in a wheelchair is simply out of the question. She's always, always been independent so her stubborn-ness is second nature. She rests a lot these days and only eats in her room now. She has a little kid's table and chair [from my niece & nephew' playset] in the corner and that's where she sits and eats - everyday.

Well, if you've read this far and haven't fallen asleep, kudos to you! How do you do it?!? :-) Anyway, I won't even try to build up a sappy story here... So I was just sitting on my grandma's bed, watching her eat in the corner. I thought: Ninety-six years on this planet, and now she simply sits. Something came over me... seeing her like this made me really sad. I started crying really hard... My mum came in the room and talked to me, and comforted me. While I was still crying, without saying a word my grandma turned to me for a few seconds before she turned back and resumed her lunch with porridge and 2 simple dishes. I don't think she even realized that I've been crying... It's better that way. Mum gave us a bagful of tomatoes before we left, and also the sandwich that my dad made for my brother to take home. "See you in 2 weeks!", I said as I gave everyone a kiss on the cheek on my way out.

Sunday morning I had half the sandwich. It was a chicken sandwich with, of course, tomato chunks spread between 2 pieces of toasted [now very soggy] white bread. When I first unwrapped it, tears rolled down my cheeks. A sandwich that was made from my dear old dad - with love. Love is automatic. As I get older, I've turned into a crybaby... just like my dad. He's like that, too. Every time I see my family, it's a wonderful blessing. And sometimes I ask myself: How long will all this last? When do people decide to leave? Maybe I should refrain from asking and just enjoy the moment. This very moment.

See, not an exciting weekend, but a weekend well spent. Hope you're having a great Tuesday! xoxo

Alec and I rented Bridge to Terabithia and watched it Friday night. We were going to see it in the theatre when it first came out but never got the chance. Have you seen it? I don't usually go to movies that are catered for kids, but this one made quite an impact on both of us. We never read the book but somewhere in the middle of the movie, we found ourselves teary-eyed! The real magic of the movie is the relationship between the 2 characters... Happysad.

After the movie, that night I found myself downloading the track Keep Your Mind Wide Open from the soundtrack. It's one of those bubble-gumish songs... But I know I'm a geek, so I guess that makes it somewhat okay! :-) Now I might have to either get the book or the DVD. Or both.

Rent it if you get a chance. I think you'll enjoy it! Have a great Monday.

Well I myself am tired of looking at my own face! :-) Sorry to subject you all to it this entire week, but I didn't have much to write about. Doh! Speaking of, I want to see the Simpsons movie! So now how about this cute little labbit above? It was a present from Kris... How sweet he is! But funny thing is that I bought the same set for Alec last Christmas! Now he lives at his work, and mine I just brought him to my work as well -- my very own mustache labbit. Too cute! Thanks again Kris!! I love it! I get excited 'bout the silliest things don't I?

So I took this past Monday and Tuesday off. The painters came and painted the interior of the house. Every nook and cranny. So messy. Swiss Coffee's the color! I think it's one of the brighter whites... Now our place looks like a new apartment! ahaha! Maybe I'll posted a few pictures up when things are back in place! So I ended up spending most of Tuesday running errands cuz I couldn't be inside the house. Y'know it takes a lot of energy driving all over the place. Alec then took me out to dinner that night, restaurant of my choice... and then we had cheesecake at home with 2 little candles on it! :-) So that was my day. Thanks B, for being with me!

Alec had asked me what I wanted and this year it's something exactly what I asked for: The Discovery Channel's Planet Earth DVD set. See, it really doesn't take much to excite me! :-)

'nough for now! Hope everyone to have a good, safe weekend to come. Stay healthy and much peace to all. 'til next time...