Bursting Through

Family Portrait Time

2009-12-30T19:53:00.000-08:00

Christmas day, we decide to celebrate by taking our family portraits. It's obvious that looking silly was of any concern. You can just imagine what the photographer was thinking...

From Huang Family Photos

My Nyokki

2009-12-22T20:31:00.000-08:00

Day 1 of my new hair growing Nyokki that I just got as a gift last night.

I will be showing the progression of hair growth in the following weeks.

As I drove through usual holiday traffic on the 60 Fwy, I saw a beautiful sunset along the palm trees through my side door mirror of the car.

Thomas' Rat Artwork

2009-12-21T16:18:00.000-08:00

Thomas' Artwork. His work surrounds his vast understanding of "rats". While I was at work today, the 6 year old based his theme on rat mazes, rat homes, rat pools, and 3 blind rats. Enjoy as I enjoy...

Rat Park in House

Rat Gets to School

Rat Pool

3 Blind Rats

My 4 Hours and 54 Minutes

2009-10-15T23:36:00.000-07:00

Hopefully this will be the last post regarding the marathon for a while, now that it's finally done and over with. 26.2 miles of running in the city of Long Beach in 4:54 time. I felt great at first when we begin at 7:15am and averaged about a 10 minute mile up to mile 18. It went down hill from there as we had to stop, walk, and jog every half mile, due to pain in my knees and thigh, and the exhausted legs of Gary. I was depressed at first when I knew the 4:30 pace runners ran past us, and even more devastated when the older 60 year olds were running past us at mile 23. I thought it was over. All that training, all that time, and we would finish at a horrible time. Luckily, things weren't as bad as I thought, and we ended up jogging the last mile or so to the finish line, and realized the time finished was not as bad as I had originally thought.

A few memorable things during the grueling run:
1) Passed by nice scenery, with the Queen Mary in view
2) A female spectator yelling "You're almost there!" at the 5 mile mark...and another lady running saying "What is she talking about?"
3) Male spectator yelling "Only 20 miles left!" at the 6 mile mark. That is just wrong!
4) Male running singing "Eye of the Tiger" out of tune to the top of his lungs, and another running basically telling him to shut up in an amusing way.
5) Volunteers passing out watermelon, gummy bears, donut holes, beer, and motrin. None of which I took.
6) Smelly porta-potties
5) PAIN, PAIN, and did I mention PAIN in the knees and thigh
6) Gas...no explanation necessary...
7) Seeing the lead runners coming around at 21 miles when we were only at 13. Those guys/gals are amazing!
8) And my favorite part....THE FINISH LINE!!!

I'm so happy that I finally did it and that this 18 month training is over. Until next time...

A New Guy in Town

2009-10-09T23:27:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the world...Christian Chen!

Proud God Mother (although I haven't d one my duty yet)....this is an excerpt from mother Lina:

"The contraction got stronger and stronger, but they told me to wait until 1 min contraction and 4 min break in between. I did. That was 2 AM. Got to the hospital at 2:30 AM. Got a hospital room at 2:45 AM. Baby came out at 3:14 AM. He came out so fast that they couldn't give me epidural which I delivered the baby without any drugs. That was hardcore. I felt every pain. It was a good thing that he was only 6 lbs 7 oz."

6 Days Left

2009-10-05T21:02:00.000-07:00

Only 6 more days until the race, and I'm getting antsy. A week ago, while attempting a 12 mile training run, I had to stop at 8 miles. My right knee was in pain and I had a hard time continuing with it. It felt like my leg and thigh were not aligned. Luckily, I was able to walk it off a little and just suck it up by jogging the rest of the 4 miles. I admit I was worried that this might mean something like not being able to run the Long Beach marathon. After checking it out with my doctor, who thought it was just my ligament being too heated, I was able to purchase prescribed flex pads, which should numb some of the pain as I run. Those things are darn expensive, so they better work!

Onto another subject. Today, I found out that Gary had bumped into an elder Japanese man who lives down the hall from Gary. He mentioned sadly that his wife, Hideko, just passed away a week ago. She was the same older lady who seemed out of touch of reality and that we had tried helping out one day as she was worried her husband wasn't coming home. She had some type of sickness that may have made her delusions worst. Her life was an interesting one. She had been married twice and unable to see her children for several years. One thing I do know is that she was grateful to have such a kind husband who took care of her, even in that stage of life. May she rest in peace. Life can certainly be fragile. It just shows how important it is to stay healthy and happy.

20 Cruel Miles

2009-09-23T00:06:00.000-07:00

The toughest week of training is finally over. Running the cruel 20 miles on Sunday night was harsh, but I'm so glad that part is done with. We clocked 3 hrs and 12 mins, with an average pace of close to 9:36 per mile. My feet hurt, and my legs are tired, but I can eat away without feeling as guilty. Okay, maybe not a good idea to do that 3 weeks before the marathon. I just can't wait until we face the final challenge!

Batting Cage Pains

2009-08-28T23:53:00.000-07:00

After attempting to hit several rounds of 50 mph baseballs, I think I did some damage to my hands and feet. It caused me dear pain on my next 12 mile run. How unfortunate.

Two Shades Darker in Catalina

2009-09-10T23:40:00.000-07:00

It was nice to get away from Los Angeles for a bit, even for only two days. After a long dreadful 18 mile run along the coast on Saturday, who knew we would still have it in us to carry sleeping bags, a tent, clothing, and a bike to go camping, kayaking, and jet skiing all in one shot. I just got 2 shades darker from fun in the sun on Catalina Island.

Smokey Sky

2009-09-01T23:34:00.000-07:00

Air quality has not been the best around Angeles National Forest last week. The fire has killed two firefighters. It's just sad that humans cause nearly 95% of the fires in California. I saw this bundle of smoke in the air as I was driving through downtown Los Angeles after picking up some merchandise.

Oldies, I'll Share Them Anyways

2009-08-28T01:51:00.000-07:00

By accident, I came across 2 short films on You Tube that I was involved in. They are older, but thought I'd share them anyways.

Memmy's Egg - short film by Timmy Ngo

Lucky Lotus

Still No Runner's High

2009-08-18T23:12:00.000-07:00

From Manhattan Beach to Palos Verdes and back. Those 15 miles of running seemed like a dreadful 2 hr 15 mins of my of life. And yet, still no runner's high? I must be doing something wrong. Sore legs and fatigue is pretty much all I feel so far. Time to sleep.

Fun in the Sun in Arcadia

2009-08-13T02:01:00.000-07:00

Summer in Los Angeles isn't so bad afterall. Sure it gets a little warm and smoggy, but I don't really mind some fun in the sun on occasion. This past Sunday, we were able to enjoy a few juicy crab dumplings at Ding Tai Fung, a nice stroll along The Arboretum, and ended the night with beer and games at Dave & Busters. Those are probably the best locales of Arcadia, CA in case you are wondering.

Click for Arboretum Album:

From The Arboretum

Amanda's Photos:

Our Good Ideas

2009-08-03T21:37:00.000-07:00

Week 8 - Our 12 mile run last weekend seemed to have gone well. We had a very late start since I forgot my iPod and we had to stop by the office to look up an approximate running distance. We started from around Playa Del Rey, ran to Hermosa Beach, and back. After 8pm, we finally started on our way down, and it actually felt okay, even though it seemed long and never ending. By about 10:05pm we approached the area where we "thought" we parked the car, but of course could not find it. We walked back and forth several times, thinking perhaps we missed it. With no cell phone or money, we really didn't have much choice but to seek help from strangers. Luckily a very helpful beach employee was getting off work and offered not only her cell phone but a ride to the gas station. After calling and startling all the family members and friends we know, we had Gary's cousin, Pat, come pick us up and take one last look again, only to find the car 2 and a half ours later. We are idiots! We drove home laughing at ourselves because we were embarrassed and happy that the car was not stolen at the same time.

Week 9 - 13 mile run. I thought it might be a good idea to change the pace and scenery a bit, and found a 13 mile hiking trail at Malibu Creek State Park. This time we got started around 6:30pm thinking we still had a good 2 hours of day light. Little did we think about the 4-5 minute of going straight up hill, and not really sure of the trail we were suppose to be on, then having to tress pass a very eerie abandoned blocked off shelter. We ended up rushing to get back before there was no more daylight left, and got extremely lost and off trail. Finally close to 9pm, and luckily with a full moon, we were happy to see the car still in the same spot. We ended up only going 11 miles, but our workout was definitely more than expected. Another adventure completed.

We are just so full of good ideas!

That's One Small Step For one, One Giant Help for Another

2009-07-20T21:13:00.000-07:00

Happy 40th anniversary of the first moon landing for human kind - Apollo 11! Thanks to modern technology, the Apollo 11 Video has been restored. It just shows that every discover and every step made can lead to bigger and greater things.

This weekend was full of adventure. Outside of the 10K OC Mud Run that I endured, there were many suprises along the way. On they way out the door, we were stopped by an 69 year old Japanese lady wearing nothing but her long sleeping garments mumbling words we could not understand. She was calling for her husband, who was obviously not around. She seemed extremely distraught so we went to her doorway to find out what was wrong, and she asked for our help. Her husband was suppose to be off work in the early morning and should have been home already, but she was frantic because she could not locate him. On top of that she kept repeating those words and let us know she was sick some how. We entered her apartment, turned on the A/C for her as it was over 90 degrees that day, and sat down with her to find out what she really needed. During this time, we found out her age, that she re-married, that she is the youngest in her family of 5 sisters, that she had 2 children that live in New Mexico, that she is retired but worked for a dentist that fixed Arnold Palmer's teeth, that she's orginally from Okinawa, and that her husband was a honests man. We ended up locating her husband at his work, as we found out he was a chef at a golf resort. I'm not sure staying there to help this disoriented old woman until her husband showed up really did much help, but at least she felt safe at that time. There were two things I took from this situation: 1) I'm proud to know someone who would spend their time to help another, even though it wasn't necessary, 2) Being that woman's husband must not be easy, but he still deals with the situaton with patience. One day when I am old and fragile, I would hate to be alone.

So as we finally left to Palos Verdes as originally planned, we had decided to do some hiking while in the area. Along the Shipwreck trail, we discovered 3 dead stinking seals, millions of crawling bugs, a few gigantic bumble bees, and millions of flying insects. I'm still glad we went, as the view was amazing, but I'm not sure passing by these living and dead creatures made it very pleasant. I don't think I'd go back again.

Wordless Day

2009-07-17T00:20:00.000-07:00

I'm speechless, or rather, wordless today. My thoughts are preoccupied by the run that I completed tonight, the OC Mud Run this Saturday, the 100+ miles I drove throughout the entire LA county today (twice), the non-functioning parts of the Pink Princess I encountered today, and the yummy A&J Chinese food that I just had for dinner. The truth is, I haven't given myself the chance to really sit down and let me writing bug kick in. Perhaps another night...

In the mean time, here are photos from a lovely wedding at the Long Beach Aquarium.

Few Simple Updates

2009-07-09T00:08:00.000-07:00

It's getting late, and I'm feeling very groggy so I'll make this entry short and simple with a few updates.

1) Co-hosted the biggest party at my parent's home and it actually went smoothly. No crazy people, nobody had problems getting through the gate, no puking (that I know of), no one seriously hurt, not the hottest day of the year, no toy train falling into the punch, no fights, and no lamps broken. I think that will probably be the last big one I ever hold there again. I'm getting older and these things are just too much work for my lazy *ss to handle.

2) Finished a 9 mile run on Monday. I am happy about it, but still tired today. This whole marathon training thing is such a strange idea to me. I'm not really stressing nor even thinking much about it, but it does take up a good amount of time each week. So far, training is very do-able. Not fun, but definitely do-able.

3) I'm taking a 2 month break from acting class. I think that might be a very good idea since I'm a little worn out and I might want to take a few trips during this time.

4) Watched "Crossing Over", a film on illegal immigration starring Harrison Ford amongst others. I was surprised to see an old UCLA friend appear in speaking role as an Asian gangster. Makes me feel like I need to get into gear already.

Overall: Stress has taken over me because as usual, we battle against time. We certainly don't have enough of it to accomplish what we want. I'm hoping to get much more work done the next month.

In Treatment

2009-06-24T00:37:00.000-07:00

I just finished watching the first 5 episodes of the "In Treatment" Season 1. I almost wanted to stop watching it after the first episode, but then continued on the next, only to find myself getting addicted to continue. The series is profound in its writing and content. I just have such a hard to time believing there really are viewers out there today who are willing to watch a HBO series that literally has whole episodes of just sessions of psycho therapy, making it pretty much a dialogue drama. It's really exciting to see something so different. Anyhow, I didn't start this blog entry to review the show. I was in a bad mood when I first started watching it. There's been thoughts about loneliness again and I'm feeling afraid that it's the way I'm built, despite the circumstances. And again, it's not about have a ton of people who care about you and love you, etc. It's mostly the fact that I often don't have an output. No one on the receiving end. I do, but perhaps I'm not using them as the resource to do so because I don't know how to. And then it always comes back to why focus on myself. My energy should be out there and not inside all the time. I mean I have the ability to be happy, as everyone does, but why do I always trap myself for no reason at all?

Perhaps, the answer will come tomorrow, after a good night sleep.

List of Nothings, But Maybe Some Things

2009-06-23T01:40:00.000-07:00

I thought I did nothing this past weekend, but then find out there's much to feel good about. Here's a list of accomplishments.

Completed a 7 mile run in approximately 58 minutes. This is most likely the longest I've ran without stopping, especially at this pace. It was painfully boring and no, I don't think I enjoyed it all that much.

Attended a small Guatemalan wedding where I was the ONLY non Latino person there. I really need to brush up on my Spanish.

Cooked a whole pot of Chinese chicken soup, which included delicious chicken leg meat, carrots, ginger, celery, onion, Shitake mushroom, chicken broth, sesame oil, Taiwan rice wine, and chicken bone. The purpose of the soup was to help cure a sore throat, and it did not seem to work too well.

Finalized the supposedly funny scene from the play "Moose Mating" in acting class.

Had Father's Day lunch - with the dad, mom, Jenny, and Gary. It went "OK" which is more than I can ask for. The one thing that made me most happy this weekend.

No Injuries, No Complaints, No Runner's High.

2009-06-18T23:50:00.000-07:00

I've been feel pretty good about my body lately. It's week 2 of the marathon training, and so far so good. No injuries, no complaints, no runner's high. Nothing spectacular yet. The one thing I did get was being locked inside Diamond Bar High School, and having no way to get out, so I ended up having to climb the fence like a ghetto burglar. What an embarrassment! Oh well, that's what I get for staying so late on the tracks.

I did get to go hiking this past Saturday at Topanga Canyon State Park and ended up on the wrong path for a total 9 mile hike. We went so far south, that we could see the ocean side of Pacific Palisades. The next time, we're going to hike all the way down from Encino to PCH. That will be fun!

The Beginning of a Long Ways to Go

2009-06-11T00:36:00.000-07:00

This is week 1 of my marathon training. It's only a basic 3 miles for 3 days and then one 6 mile run on Saturday. I'm mostly concerned about my running form for now. I'm trying to stick with running efficiently and preventing injury by running on the ball of the feet and ending at mid-foot. I'm also keeping my back straight, slightly leaning forward and then keeping my arms going back and forth rather than to the side. It's running, but it's harder than you think when you've been running with bad form all your life. Let's hope I can keep this up!

Date of the Long Beach Marathon: October 11, 2009

Below is the schedule I'm going to be following:

Traveling, I Need You

2009-06-10T01:26:00.000-07:00

The ultimate luxury in life is to travel. I don't mean travel for work and going to conventions. I mean traveling to understand a new culture of the new city, state, or country that you visit. Even if it is only a few miles away from your home, you can learn something new and see the world through different eyes. I realize it's something I don't do enough of and find all the excuses in the world to not do so. Below are photos from a weekend road trip up the California coast to the Monterey Bay.

Am I A Dilettante?

2009-06-01T22:07:00.000-07:00

dil⋅et⋅tante
–noun
1. a person who takes up an art, activity, or subject merely for amusement, esp. in a desultory or superficial way; dabbler.
2. a lover of an art or science, esp. of a fine art.

Basically it refers to a person who likes to learn a little of everything but never becomes good at any one thing. I think I'm that person!!! OUCH! I mean from directing, to acting, to hip hop, to Pilates, to tennis, to swimming, to running, to photography, to trying racquetball, and now even considering Kendo. I think all this is leading me to a lot of no-where's. Okay so maybe I won't say as much for acting and running as I think I've been keeping up and trying to invest my time in it.

While I still want to enjoy doing most of these activities, I really need to focus my energy on getting better at a few. That's my next goal.

How She Defines Herself

2009-05-19T15:05:00.000-07:00

I read a blog today that I was trying to post http://www.pinkprincess.com links to and so the "About Me" section of this 25 year old women from Washington which said: "I met my love in february 2008, got engaged June 2008 and then married October 2008 so life has changed drastically."

That was her "About Me" section! That is how she defines her life as she sees it. Nothing wrong with that at all. She obviously found something that was good for life in a very short amount of time, and it created a rolling ball in her life. Her blog entry was about her little daughter wearing a flower girl dresses, so things definitely are working out so far.

I don't know if I could have enough courage to say any particular event in my life will shape things forever.

To Be

2009-05-19T14:49:00.000-07:00

Here's an old Japanese pop song that I've listened to before several times, but never paid much attention to. I finally heard it on Pandora Radio again, and decided to look up the translated lyrics. Here it is below. Although the English translation sounds choppy, I like the what it says. Unfortunately I do carry around the junk that's unimportant. The past does effect me and I think about it often. I just have concentrate of the present and what I can do for the future.

TO BE
Lyrics: Ayumi Hamasaki
Composer: DAI
Arranger: Naoto Suzuki, DAI

Everyone passes through. I don't keep them in mind either. It can't be helped.
You've been carrying that junk as if it's important.
People saw you from a distance and thought you were strange.
Even so you laughed and said to me "this is treasure."

While I'm gaining something big, I wonder if there's something I've lost.
I don't understand.
This place I've regained, I bet it's slightly different.

If you're there, I'm always laughing.
If you're there, I'm always laughing. I'm crying. I'm living.
If you're not there, there's nothing.

Was it myself? Was it the people? Or was it
only a clock? The thing that seemed like it would break.

How much do the arms that continue to protect the junk hurt?
What have they sacrificed?
Even though you'll never be perfect, you shine in your imperfection.

The path you found isn't wide.
The path you found isn't wide, it isn't narrow, somehow
you alone have made it better for me.

Because you were there, I'm always laughing.
Because you were there, I was always laughing. I was crying. I was living.
If you're not there, there's nothing.