It has come to an end of the BT. The long memorial weekend has started and it is gonna to be a wet one.
Well, i must be thankful that at least I had a sunny week in this late Spring in CRV! hehe
ah well, looking forward to see St Helen, Mt Rainier and Seattle :))
Friday, May 27, 2011
Sunday, May 22, 2011
浪费
近日出差时我发现我开始有坏习惯，就是浪费食物。 每每肚子很饿时便兴奋地等待食物端上桌面，可是... 以‘看了就饱’这句话来形容贴切不已。
周二。星巴克的‘muffin’
周四。block 15的汉堡
周五。Young's kitchen 的‘日式curry’，深圳海鲜酒家的的‘牛肉干河’和‘乌龟豆’
周六。Char Burger的‘汉堡’；湖南酒家的‘锅贴’和‘芦笋牛肉’；ecafe的 'pesto bagel’
周日。Jake's Grill 的‘西北沙拉’；Queen's chopstick的‘Pad thai ’
以上看来，我对中餐的浪费程度较西餐低些；日韩式的食物较能提高我的食欲；就连星巴克的咖啡和健康的'Jamba Juice' 我也不想喝了。阿公结账，但就是没什么兴致，呵呵。也许这周会好一些，毕竟将与一大群的同事用餐，说不定食欲会增加？哈。
顺便提及portland的湖南酒家。我点了抄手，怎知道他们为了迎合美国人的口味，便以花生酱来取代芝麻酱（其实我以为是醋和辣椒油）。上菜时老板和我说了要使不喜欢，他可以换其他的小菜给我。我马上说我不要，哈哈。结果我反而开开心心的喝了开胃的酸辣汤和湖南式的锅贴，还有，那麻辣芦笋牛肉也很开胃。总之，那一顿很满足！
周二。星巴克的‘muffin’
周四。block 15的汉堡
周五。Young's kitchen 的‘日式curry’，深圳海鲜酒家的的‘牛肉干河’和‘乌龟豆’
周六。Char Burger的‘汉堡’；湖南酒家的‘锅贴’和‘芦笋牛肉’；ecafe的 'pesto bagel’
周日。Jake's Grill 的‘西北沙拉’；Queen's chopstick的‘Pad thai ’
以上看来，我对中餐的浪费程度较西餐低些；日韩式的食物较能提高我的食欲；就连星巴克的咖啡和健康的'Jamba Juice' 我也不想喝了。阿公结账，但就是没什么兴致，呵呵。也许这周会好一些，毕竟将与一大群的同事用餐，说不定食欲会增加？哈。
顺便提及portland的湖南酒家。我点了抄手，怎知道他们为了迎合美国人的口味，便以花生酱来取代芝麻酱（其实我以为是醋和辣椒油）。上菜时老板和我说了要使不喜欢，他可以换其他的小菜给我。我马上说我不要，哈哈。结果我反而开开心心的喝了开胃的酸辣汤和湖南式的锅贴，还有，那麻辣芦笋牛肉也很开胃。总之，那一顿很满足！
Saturday, May 7, 2011
心系国家大事？
最近大选闹得沸沸扬扬, 对我这位新公民，当然也有点心急和兴奋。
我自认我了解小红点的政治多过于马国，若你让我点名岛国的部长，我也许比土生土长的岛国居民更懂一些。
过去透过FB了解各政党的公开演说，大家都想为着能踩执政党一脚而欢呼声四起；我觉得适时的检测是需要的。若说是为国民的利益和岛国的未来着想，应该要有执政和在野两方来随时作个核定，就如LTK说的，既然是难行的路，当司机打盹时，坐在他身旁的就应该给他两记耳光；若司机精神抖擞的开车，同行的就应该继续和他交谈，让他能平安的驾驶。
遗憾的是。。。
开心的是。。。
在野党成功获得6个议席，虽然执政党能继续能组成政府，但一旦仔细了解这次大选的选票巴仙率来说，不进则退，胜利的号角声大不如前，这可是65年后甚至是新一代国民所给予执政党的一个警告。难得岛国居民能如此看重政治，应多谢新媒体的产生，天天看到FB的update，人云亦云，若什么都不懂反而会让人笑话，这间接的‘怂恿’和‘鼓励’大家积极参与，有好有坏吧。呵呵。
还有，詹先生终于可以休息了；在网路上听他那含糊的演讲和非一般的身体状况，我总是听和看不下去，干嘛还要竞选阿！很可惜他们守不住波东巴西，但老詹爱国的情操依然在居民的心中和岛国的政坛历史。好好修养吧，詹先生！
对我而言，也许真正思念的是。。。
远在岛国的家人和朋友，并不是那似明似暗的政治玩意儿。没有一个 perfect 的政府, 我只希望当他们说要服务人民时，他们真的可以兑现他们的承诺，不然GE2016 会更加精彩！到时丹戎巴戈 (TP) GRC 应该不会walkover 了吧! :)
我自认我了解小红点的政治多过于马国，若你让我点名岛国的部长，我也许比土生土长的岛国居民更懂一些。
过去透过FB了解各政党的公开演说，大家都想为着能踩执政党一脚而欢呼声四起；我觉得适时的检测是需要的。若说是为国民的利益和岛国的未来着想，应该要有执政和在野两方来随时作个核定，就如LTK说的，既然是难行的路，当司机打盹时，坐在他身旁的就应该给他两记耳光；若司机精神抖擞的开车，同行的就应该继续和他交谈，让他能平安的驾驶。
遗憾的是。。。
- 无法与大伙谈论大选的演讲，竞选者的八卦
- 无法贴着电视和阅读海峡时报的选情分析
- 无法与朋友一同参与在野党的公开演讲
- 无法尽国民的责任投票（据了解需要缴50 元以重新登记选民名册）
- 无法感受那沸腾的选举气氛
开心的是。。。
在野党成功获得6个议席，虽然执政党能继续能组成政府，但一旦仔细了解这次大选的选票巴仙率来说，不进则退，胜利的号角声大不如前，这可是65年后甚至是新一代国民所给予执政党的一个警告。难得岛国居民能如此看重政治，应多谢新媒体的产生，天天看到FB的update，人云亦云，若什么都不懂反而会让人笑话，这间接的‘怂恿’和‘鼓励’大家积极参与，有好有坏吧。呵呵。
还有，詹先生终于可以休息了；在网路上听他那含糊的演讲和非一般的身体状况，我总是听和看不下去，干嘛还要竞选阿！很可惜他们守不住波东巴西，但老詹爱国的情操依然在居民的心中和岛国的政坛历史。好好修养吧，詹先生！
对我而言，也许真正思念的是。。。
远在岛国的家人和朋友，并不是那似明似暗的政治玩意儿。没有一个 perfect 的政府, 我只希望当他们说要服务人民时，他们真的可以兑现他们的承诺，不然GE2016 会更加精彩！到时丹戎巴戈 (TP) GRC 应该不会walkover 了吧! :)
Mary & John
That Easter Sunday I visited Shadow Mountain Church@ El Cajon with QuiLing.
It was quite a long drive. This church is located in a rather dodgy area and you may be able to see more Hispanic there. The church building and its Christian Seminary in the community seems to be a little out of place. The churchgoers are mainly middle class Whites. And i am so happy to see almost all of them are dressed in their Sunday Best. This is very different from our Asian Culture. Where is our Sunday Best?
They have a huge choir. The worship are fantastic. The pastor, Rev Dr David Jeremiah is well known for His pulpit preaching and he has a radio channel called turning point.
The highlight of the day is that i went to this couple's place i.e. Mary & John for lunch. They are QL's american parents. They have been taking care of QL since she came here in 1998. The couples has a lovely house, facing a lake. The house uses roses as the theme, you can actually see roses everywhere. This couple looked very young and good-looking. They are probably in their 60's.
The amazing part is that John is an eye surgeon, yet he has contracted Parkinson Disease 10 years back. Judging from his look and movement, you wouldn't have thought that he is unwell. Maybe because he himself is a doctor, therefore he and Mary make every effort to better contain the disease. Due to his illness, he has to stop practising and rest. The couple loves God and serve His people in their church and community. From the conversation we had, they always praise Lord for His grace and mercy. That is amazing.
I told John he has a nice house. You know what he said. The Lord owns it! Hmm how humble it is. I must say... so far i visited 2 big cum houses from 2 churchmates. Whenever I made the comments, the owner would just say 'thank you'. that's why John's reposnse caught my attention.
Mary likes gardening and flowers. She has planted a few types of roses in the garden. So nice. And yes, i like the purplish Iris, so pretty! Our God is amazing!
One interesting note. In Asia, we are so used to using thermos or 热水器, when QL first introduced this electronic appliance to this couple, they thought it is some sort of toaster. To their surprise, this water dispenser helps them to minimize the hassle of boiling water for tea/coffee and it then brings convenience to the household. Now their kids and even neighbours would want to buy that. haha. I always thought it is a common appliance and most people know it. Well, the truth is... it is not. hehe... and also, i observed that the people here like to boil water using kettle over the stone instead of using a electrical kettle. Isn't that interesting? :)
It was quite a long drive. This church is located in a rather dodgy area and you may be able to see more Hispanic there. The church building and its Christian Seminary in the community seems to be a little out of place. The churchgoers are mainly middle class Whites. And i am so happy to see almost all of them are dressed in their Sunday Best. This is very different from our Asian Culture. Where is our Sunday Best?
They have a huge choir. The worship are fantastic. The pastor, Rev Dr David Jeremiah is well known for His pulpit preaching and he has a radio channel called turning point.
The highlight of the day is that i went to this couple's place i.e. Mary & John for lunch. They are QL's american parents. They have been taking care of QL since she came here in 1998. The couples has a lovely house, facing a lake. The house uses roses as the theme, you can actually see roses everywhere. This couple looked very young and good-looking. They are probably in their 60's.
The amazing part is that John is an eye surgeon, yet he has contracted Parkinson Disease 10 years back. Judging from his look and movement, you wouldn't have thought that he is unwell. Maybe because he himself is a doctor, therefore he and Mary make every effort to better contain the disease. Due to his illness, he has to stop practising and rest. The couple loves God and serve His people in their church and community. From the conversation we had, they always praise Lord for His grace and mercy. That is amazing.
I told John he has a nice house. You know what he said. The Lord owns it! Hmm how humble it is. I must say... so far i visited 2 big cum houses from 2 churchmates. Whenever I made the comments, the owner would just say 'thank you'. that's why John's reposnse caught my attention.
Mary likes gardening and flowers. She has planted a few types of roses in the garden. So nice. And yes, i like the purplish Iris, so pretty! Our God is amazing!
One interesting note. In Asia, we are so used to using thermos or 热水器, when QL first introduced this electronic appliance to this couple, they thought it is some sort of toaster. To their surprise, this water dispenser helps them to minimize the hassle of boiling water for tea/coffee and it then brings convenience to the household. Now their kids and even neighbours would want to buy that. haha. I always thought it is a common appliance and most people know it. Well, the truth is... it is not. hehe... and also, i observed that the people here like to boil water using kettle over the stone instead of using a electrical kettle. Isn't that interesting? :)
Debut in IHPS
It has been a while since i last blogged. Maybe one of the hindrance is that it is not as convenient for me to type in Chinese during office plus I am super lazy to blog after office hour. there you go, procrastinating.
OK, something to blog about my debut in IHPS Technical Review on 4/7.
Originally scheduled on 4/15 and it was pulled up by a week. It turned out to be a real shock to me and I was truly overwhelmed. When I saw BillFisher's invite on Mon morning (4/4), I almost flipped. I lost my thought and forgot how to configure the press to run the test. I must say I don't usually react that way but that very morning, i was so unsettled. To make things worse, my manger BillF is on FTO, meaning no one is there to guide me. Doom day, I thought. The audience of the tech review are section managers, first level managers, masters and experts engineers. How am i going to smoke them? no way!
That week was a stressful and pressing one. As i need to be on DOE course, I got in and out the class which was quite disruptive. I couldn't pay attention and need to sneak out for alignment meeting for the technical review. As everyone know, i hardly OT. that week, I actually OT for 2 consecuives nights to crunch the data and to brainstorm on how to present the data and the fact.
That very morning, I asked if RonB can go to the meeting with me since i figure he may be able to help as he is quite knowledgeable in all aspects. Thankfully he agreed. So we went to the 'Wind & Sea' room for the video conference meeting with CRV folks.
A quick glance through. I do not know 90% of the folks in the meeting room. hoho. Getting nervous. I was the second one to present after Steve A. Steve assured me that he will set a bad precedence so i will look good. haha. He was very kind. As i went through the slides with them, not much questions was asked. They skipped some of the engineering subsystem update slide. OK. I spent so much time working on it... thinking that i got to be realistic and highlight the risk. but they...
here comes the 3rd presenter. I was quite pissed off by him. Steve F. He simply told everyone that what was not done and come on, the list is long. Guess what, we spent most of the time discussing about the resources issues.
I thought this is a technical review on how ready we are to ship the solution? Instead, we were spending whole lot of time to thrash out the resource and schedule. I was truly disappointed. Really. As an engineering team, aren't we supposed to focus on engineering findings? look at how much time we spent? Why does IHPS like to do things like this?
The more upsetting chapter is that when the meeting was adjourned, DennisS, the program manager spoke to a few of us, saying that the priority will not be given to MICR but other stuffs. I was like... the last moment you commit that we will work to support MICR development and now, you said all those straight at my face when I am the one working on MICR?!
Again, I was speechless. Disappoint with the whole review, the shift of the focus and the insensitive of the IHPS management.
That was the 4/7 Review...
so... the story continues...
It's confirmed that we will have a customer shipment @ Connecticut. I was thrilled when I learn about how expensive can my solution be. Unimaginable. Haha. it costs so much. Anyway, i feel kind of proud?! I grumbled to BillF about the review and I told him i am not convinced that I am supposed to drive the whole initiative in T200 (my baby product). He then shook my hand and said: I authorize you to be the lead of this initiative. That was hilarious.
Well, the kind of treatment i had from the various counterparts was not as great. I sulk and fumed. Last week was filled with frustrations as I sense the disregard from the CRV teammate. I was mad. It was only after 5 mths, BarBM clarified to all that I am the one who is in charged of T200. there it goes, i suppose from now on I will gain more respect and visibility for working on this.
Being a lead is not as fun as I thought. This role has challenged to work with different people from R&D, Ops and Marketing. The next one would be our customers. As the solution installation will take place in June, I need to coordinate for the parts to be ready, technical support during installation, daily activities and plan, tracking the R&D schedule and trying to make others to work for me. It can be quite mental draining and stressful, I must say. I am unsure how well received my audiences are but I will try my best. Steve A has been very helpful in this which I am very thankful for. BillF has been coaching me on this and I think he can sense that I appear to be panicky and pretty tensed up. Yesterday he said: Relax. Haha. that was funny.
Weeks after my FTO will be crazy.
For now, I will just leave that aside and enjoy my journey to the wondrous creation!
OK, something to blog about my debut in IHPS Technical Review on 4/7.
Originally scheduled on 4/15 and it was pulled up by a week. It turned out to be a real shock to me and I was truly overwhelmed. When I saw BillFisher's invite on Mon morning (4/4), I almost flipped. I lost my thought and forgot how to configure the press to run the test. I must say I don't usually react that way but that very morning, i was so unsettled. To make things worse, my manger BillF is on FTO, meaning no one is there to guide me. Doom day, I thought. The audience of the tech review are section managers, first level managers, masters and experts engineers. How am i going to smoke them? no way!
That week was a stressful and pressing one. As i need to be on DOE course, I got in and out the class which was quite disruptive. I couldn't pay attention and need to sneak out for alignment meeting for the technical review. As everyone know, i hardly OT. that week, I actually OT for 2 consecuives nights to crunch the data and to brainstorm on how to present the data and the fact.
That very morning, I asked if RonB can go to the meeting with me since i figure he may be able to help as he is quite knowledgeable in all aspects. Thankfully he agreed. So we went to the 'Wind & Sea' room for the video conference meeting with CRV folks.
A quick glance through. I do not know 90% of the folks in the meeting room. hoho. Getting nervous. I was the second one to present after Steve A. Steve assured me that he will set a bad precedence so i will look good. haha. He was very kind. As i went through the slides with them, not much questions was asked. They skipped some of the engineering subsystem update slide. OK. I spent so much time working on it... thinking that i got to be realistic and highlight the risk. but they...
here comes the 3rd presenter. I was quite pissed off by him. Steve F. He simply told everyone that what was not done and come on, the list is long. Guess what, we spent most of the time discussing about the resources issues.
I thought this is a technical review on how ready we are to ship the solution? Instead, we were spending whole lot of time to thrash out the resource and schedule. I was truly disappointed. Really. As an engineering team, aren't we supposed to focus on engineering findings? look at how much time we spent? Why does IHPS like to do things like this?
The more upsetting chapter is that when the meeting was adjourned, DennisS, the program manager spoke to a few of us, saying that the priority will not be given to MICR but other stuffs. I was like... the last moment you commit that we will work to support MICR development and now, you said all those straight at my face when I am the one working on MICR?!
Again, I was speechless. Disappoint with the whole review, the shift of the focus and the insensitive of the IHPS management.
That was the 4/7 Review...
so... the story continues...
It's confirmed that we will have a customer shipment @ Connecticut. I was thrilled when I learn about how expensive can my solution be. Unimaginable. Haha. it costs so much. Anyway, i feel kind of proud?! I grumbled to BillF about the review and I told him i am not convinced that I am supposed to drive the whole initiative in T200 (my baby product). He then shook my hand and said: I authorize you to be the lead of this initiative. That was hilarious.
Well, the kind of treatment i had from the various counterparts was not as great. I sulk and fumed. Last week was filled with frustrations as I sense the disregard from the CRV teammate. I was mad. It was only after 5 mths, BarBM clarified to all that I am the one who is in charged of T200. there it goes, i suppose from now on I will gain more respect and visibility for working on this.
Being a lead is not as fun as I thought. This role has challenged to work with different people from R&D, Ops and Marketing. The next one would be our customers. As the solution installation will take place in June, I need to coordinate for the parts to be ready, technical support during installation, daily activities and plan, tracking the R&D schedule and trying to make others to work for me. It can be quite mental draining and stressful, I must say. I am unsure how well received my audiences are but I will try my best. Steve A has been very helpful in this which I am very thankful for. BillF has been coaching me on this and I think he can sense that I appear to be panicky and pretty tensed up. Yesterday he said: Relax. Haha. that was funny.
Weeks after my FTO will be crazy.
For now, I will just leave that aside and enjoy my journey to the wondrous creation!
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Anaheim 之约 （4/15）
上帝蛮恩待我，不时都有熟悉的面孔。这回他们的面子可大了，我开了1.5小时到Anaheim就是为了与他们共度一个夜晚，哈哈。我不常作这种事；念在不应也不许错过的信念，我在上班以来第一次这么早下班，周五2.45pm. 据说一旦迟开上LA的高速，3点后肯定塞到不可想像。
不甘心的我还是到85C去买面包，在炎热的天气下喝不加糖的波霸绿茶过过瘾，我还买了个蛋糕来庆祝远在小红点谢小姐的生日。我们的这种点子还真怪。呵呵。
在等的当儿，我也当附近的Knotts’ Berry Farm 逛。据知这是一个历史很悠久的一个游乐园，迪斯尼乐园搞砸了它的生意，不过我还是看到许多人潮，可能价格较低，可以减轻一家大小的消费。
Wongs让我等着等着，快昏了！后来我们到附近去享用韩国料理，不知怎么了，我最近老是吃韩国餐，不过我也乐得很。在美国见到好友让我倍感亲切，虽然我还不算是地主，但至少我比他们了解这儿的风土人情。
夜晚，我们疯狂的致电给皇后，当然我们也帮她吃蛋糕，呵呵。
夜晚，我们疯狂的致电给皇后，当然我们也帮她吃蛋糕，呵呵。
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Sunday, April 10, 2011
不动摇的信仰 Unshakeable Faith
从来没有想到唐崇荣牧师可能会在圣地亚哥举行布道会，就这么巧，他真的来了！
我当然没有放过任何在异乡能聆听熟悉的人讲道的机会，所以我就决定当布道会第一晚的招待。这间卫理公会 (First United Methodist Church) 的圣殿可真是美极了，那透明玻璃的背后是山丘，还有一个木十字架，殿里的装潢更显得古典有气派，配上一个大大的风琴，简直是敬拜神的一个仙境。好美啊！
看着唐牧师的脸孔，再次察觉他年级真的大了，估计上回我是在2008年在室内体育馆出席他的布道会，时间过得真快，都接近3年了！看他咳嗽的样子便不难发现他已经不再那么健壮，疏松的头发也让人感到光阴的痕迹，唯一不变的便是他对宣讲上帝的福音之使命和呼召。我从少年时期就有机会到新山的地不佬体育馆听他的证道，所以对他的景仰还是比较起这里的台湾和大陆人多些，你可以说我是慕名，甚至把他当成‘超级巨星’来拥护，严格来说我这样的想法是很不应该的，但我还真不知道下一回听他的讲道将会是何时何地，还是赶紧把握今朝吧！
综合唐牧师在过去两堂的布道会和今早在我的教会的主日证道，我学习了以下几点:
我老是觉得怪怪的，为什么呢？因为这几天的会场都没有爆满，怎么可能？！他是唐崇荣牧师咧！就连唐牧师也承认在美国出席他的布道会的人数远远不及在东南亚的人数，不过他还是感谢上帝愿意用他，让他能到不同的地方去为福音而拼搏。他也感谢上帝他这些年来能够在动荡的印尼继续服侍上帝的百姓，加上他同时也培育出有一群很爱主很出色的传道人愿意为主摆上，这都是上帝的恩典。我认为，美国人真是走宝了！不过还好，东南亚的人还是很幸福，因为他们能够继续有机会听到唐牧师证道！他说他一年搭300次飞机，宣讲500堂的信息和教导，在15个国家办布道会。他71岁了，还真的很为上帝拼命啊！
这回的翻译员刚巧不是我所崇拜的杨TM长老，不过我觉得我的第六感还真准，竟然能猜到‘恭喜’就是这次的翻译员，两位都姓杨。呵呵，真是神奇。哈哈。
我和恭喜打了声招呼，还好我有位出名的记者哥哥，当然恭喜当年也和二哥在国大团契共事（应该有吧），所以我就走上前去与他交谈。可能也因为我知道他的一些背景，觉得很亲切。与同乡的说话的感觉还真的不错，有一点‘家’的感觉，呵呵。真没有想到会在这样的一个场合遇到‘有点关联’的同乡，很开心！恭喜的机智和灵敏的反应也让他迎来不少的赞许，当然啦，不够精的人怎能当唐牧师的翻译员呢！他也很搞笑，竟然告诉Ying2我有一个很著名的新闻记者哥哥，哈哈。我脸上沾光不少。哈哈。感谢神对我们家庭的赐福。
在台下的我聆听唐杨的布道时（唐牧师的证道和恭喜的翻译），对他们的语调和遣词用字觉得亲切，每察觉这样的表达有什么不妥。后来与教会的弟兄姐妹交谈后才发现他们对唐杨的布道内容有些不明白，我顿时觉得。。。 哇，怪不得我没有察觉到，因为我与他们是属于同一个地区的人，当然我们的表达方式和语调相近（抱歉，我与他们的知识水平就差个十万八千里）。呵呵，我为身为东南亚人而感到自豪和沾沾自喜！
还有一个意外的收获，因着布道会的缘故，我们每晚都吃宵夜。在美国一点都不流行宵夜这回事，大多数的美国餐馆在9时就关门了，而唯有在 Convoy St 的亚洲人餐饮店铺还门庭若市。这回我到了Friend's house 和 Tea Garden。 我不久前就想吃韩国餐，终于在 Friend's house 满足我那小小的欲望；而Tea Garden 呢则售卖具有台式风味的小吃和大家都爱喝的泡泡茶也，据YR所说，她在两年内光顾了这家店50多次！有点夸张对吧！ :)
我当然没有放过任何在异乡能聆听熟悉的人讲道的机会，所以我就决定当布道会第一晚的招待。这间卫理公会 (First United Methodist Church) 的圣殿可真是美极了，那透明玻璃的背后是山丘，还有一个木十字架，殿里的装潢更显得古典有气派，配上一个大大的风琴，简直是敬拜神的一个仙境。好美啊！
看着唐牧师的脸孔，再次察觉他年级真的大了，估计上回我是在2008年在室内体育馆出席他的布道会，时间过得真快，都接近3年了！看他咳嗽的样子便不难发现他已经不再那么健壮，疏松的头发也让人感到光阴的痕迹，唯一不变的便是他对宣讲上帝的福音之使命和呼召。我从少年时期就有机会到新山的地不佬体育馆听他的证道，所以对他的景仰还是比较起这里的台湾和大陆人多些，你可以说我是慕名，甚至把他当成‘超级巨星’来拥护，严格来说我这样的想法是很不应该的，但我还真不知道下一回听他的讲道将会是何时何地，还是赶紧把握今朝吧！
综合唐牧师在过去两堂的布道会和今早在我的教会的主日证道，我学习了以下几点:
- 作一个负责任的基督徒 Be a responsible Christian. 即 好好敬畏神，仰赖他，专心信靠他。这一生只有一次，所以要好好为主而活，他日才能对主有所交待。
- 上帝不是因为你相信他的存在而存在，他的存在是一个真理。他超越这一切，他在一切之上。 He transcends all。对我的提醒：上帝没有因着你相信他会供应而未你预备你所需，不管我们有没有主动的依赖和信靠，上帝依然会供应。当然这并不说明了上帝不想要你对他的参与（即以信来回应），我想上帝希望与我们有互动。
- 上帝是信实 (faithful)，不改变(immutable)，永恒 (eternal) 的主。在上帝里面我们不会动摇 (诗125:1-2)
我老是觉得怪怪的，为什么呢？因为这几天的会场都没有爆满，怎么可能？！他是唐崇荣牧师咧！就连唐牧师也承认在美国出席他的布道会的人数远远不及在东南亚的人数，不过他还是感谢上帝愿意用他，让他能到不同的地方去为福音而拼搏。他也感谢上帝他这些年来能够在动荡的印尼继续服侍上帝的百姓，加上他同时也培育出有一群很爱主很出色的传道人愿意为主摆上，这都是上帝的恩典。我认为，美国人真是走宝了！不过还好，东南亚的人还是很幸福，因为他们能够继续有机会听到唐牧师证道！他说他一年搭300次飞机，宣讲500堂的信息和教导，在15个国家办布道会。他71岁了，还真的很为上帝拼命啊！
这回的翻译员刚巧不是我所崇拜的杨TM长老，不过我觉得我的第六感还真准，竟然能猜到‘恭喜’就是这次的翻译员，两位都姓杨。呵呵，真是神奇。哈哈。
我和恭喜打了声招呼，还好我有位出名的记者哥哥，当然恭喜当年也和二哥在国大团契共事（应该有吧），所以我就走上前去与他交谈。可能也因为我知道他的一些背景，觉得很亲切。与同乡的说话的感觉还真的不错，有一点‘家’的感觉，呵呵。真没有想到会在这样的一个场合遇到‘有点关联’的同乡，很开心！恭喜的机智和灵敏的反应也让他迎来不少的赞许，当然啦，不够精的人怎能当唐牧师的翻译员呢！他也很搞笑，竟然告诉Ying2我有一个很著名的新闻记者哥哥，哈哈。我脸上沾光不少。哈哈。感谢神对我们家庭的赐福。
在台下的我聆听唐杨的布道时（唐牧师的证道和恭喜的翻译），对他们的语调和遣词用字觉得亲切，每察觉这样的表达有什么不妥。后来与教会的弟兄姐妹交谈后才发现他们对唐杨的布道内容有些不明白，我顿时觉得。。。 哇，怪不得我没有察觉到，因为我与他们是属于同一个地区的人，当然我们的表达方式和语调相近（抱歉，我与他们的知识水平就差个十万八千里）。呵呵，我为身为东南亚人而感到自豪和沾沾自喜！
还有一个意外的收获，因着布道会的缘故，我们每晚都吃宵夜。在美国一点都不流行宵夜这回事，大多数的美国餐馆在9时就关门了，而唯有在 Convoy St 的亚洲人餐饮店铺还门庭若市。这回我到了Friend's house 和 Tea Garden。 我不久前就想吃韩国餐，终于在 Friend's house 满足我那小小的欲望；而Tea Garden 呢则售卖具有台式风味的小吃和大家都爱喝的泡泡茶也，据YR所说，她在两年内光顾了这家店50多次！有点夸张对吧！ :)
Friday, April 8, 2011
Balboa Park 的额外发现
原来前3回的到访都没有发现这些地方。。。美丽的惊喜
Spanish Village.（西班牙村）
Grand Pipe Organ
Spanish Village.（西班牙村）
SV Entrance, Casa Del Prado Theatre , Rose Garden
ILS - Hall of Champions @ Balboa Park
ILS - Independent Living Skill. 听教会的姐妹说他们需要自愿人士帮忙 ，所以我不假思索就打电话给负责人，告诉他我可以在4月2日到Balboa Park 的Hall of Champions去。
ILS是为了那些17岁以上助养的少年人 (foster child) 所预备，目的是帮助他们掌握基本的生存贴士，以致他日在社会上打滚时不会一无所知。整个会场共有约15个摊位，有银行，求职公司，交通部门，法庭等；这些参与者必须到每个摊位去索取资料和印章。我负责一切分发一些有关紧急和辅助的资料，个人觉得不是很有趣，也没有什么interactions。
这般年轻人的穿着时髦，样子看上去有些好玩。不过还是有两组人让我影响深刻。
失聪少年
当他和一位女士走到我的 摊位时，我还以为她是他的母亲，所以我马上开始介绍我手中的资料。我开始注意到这男孩耳朵似乎带了助听器，然后当我每讲解一句，那女士就用手语表达。我顿时觉得辛酸，年纪轻轻却又似乎无法在正常的家庭长大，不是可怜他，只是觉得可惜。坦白说，我并没有预料会有失聪少年会参加这次的ILS。
年轻的妈妈
眼前的这位看似非洲人（非黑皮肤）的这女孩年纪轻轻，推着婴孩手推车。我问了她儿子多大，她回答说快满10个月了。过后我听到她向我隔壁的摊主说她也快满16岁，接下来想要上高中学习。天啊，拖着一个孩子如何上学呢？很显然的，她并没有因着她是‘母亲’而感到自卑或不好意思（当然她也没有必要那样），只是我觉得怪怪的。
我想我是整个会场唯一的一个亚洲人，突然被其他不同文化、长相和肤色的人在有限的空间里别包围，我觉得很不舒服。一眼望去，当中没有很多的白人，黑人和非洲人倒占了极大部分。我尝试与他们交谈，我发现我不知该与他们说什么。我对他们基本的教育制度都不太了解，美式生活点滴的普通常识只略知一二，何以沟通呢?
就拿‘简单的拥抱’为例，老实说，我不太敢碰他们，不是他们身上有虫子，而是我觉得怪怪的，没有丝毫的亲切感。可能我需要更多的磨炼，迄今我只与少数的白人和亚洲人有礼貌上的拥抱，拥抱在美国可是基本见面的礼仪，这是他们的文化。呵呵。我记得我2个星期前见LauraS时的第一件事就是她离开她的车子走向我并给我一个拥抱。哈。陌生了咧，初次见面，既然她是女的，又是韩裔，Lulu的好友，应该没什么问题。哈哈。
从这群少年的身上的体验，我联想到上帝对我们世人的爱。很多时候我们也是那么不可爱，调皮，作一些上帝不喜悦的事情，可是上帝丝毫都没有少爱我们一点点，他依然伸出他的手来接纳我们。我自认惭愧。我承认我暂时无法爱那些站在我面前的少年人，更不用说去服侍他们的需要。我心想，我这Y头竟然还选择受服侍的人的肤色，太不像话了！上帝岂有那么对待我？我太不成熟了。上帝的爱真的很伟大，我越想越不好意思。不过我真的不懂该如何与他们相处啊…
我脑子也闪过另一个很自私的念头。其实我大可无需为这些少年人操心，身边只顾自己的事的人还多得很，难不成需要我牺牲自己完成大我？思想真的还很狭益。周遭的人都忙着工作、家庭和生活，而基督徒还会为了回馈上帝的恩典而服侍教会，这样可归类为自私吗？也许不应该。也许因为他们也尝试努力为生活各样的大小事尽上他们的本分，做个荣耀神的人。没有一个标准答案。看来需要好好默默地需求上帝的心意 :)
恰巧在写这些感想时听到电台呼吁广大的听众捐钱支持助养儿童。有意思的一句话。
Not everyone can become a foster parent, but everyone can help a foster child
Friday, April 1, 2011
愚人节
今天是愚人节，没有机会被骗，也没有尝试骗人。呵呵。听广播说原来当年某个国家的新年的日期为4月1日，后来官方决定与其他国家统一，把新年定在1月1日；不过当地还是有某些人不知是太执着还是健忘，依然在4月1日庆祝信念，所以其他人都称呼这些人为愚人。
过去的一周心情起伏挺大的，时好时坏。由于LeslieW 和 B&R需要我的大玩具，所以我的时间表都被它卡住了。每天下午4.30 左右得等待消息，尽管做好心理准备得加班但还是心里不舒服，总觉得加班好像要了我的命。呵呵。
过去4天的进展非常缓慢，唯有今天，我终于可以排除万难，打印一个钟半。这是恩典，真的是上帝的供应。等MattM 把 DFE 的问题解决也挺折腾的，我真的不好意思催他，但如果他不解决，我无法进一步测试我的玩具，快抓狂了。
等了3个小时，问题解决了，接下来又来个web break, 我这是哭笑不得。RonB刚好也在场，还好他让我吐吐口水，不然我真的要吐了。对了，最近他也蛮搞笑的，老实嘲笑新加坡式英语。今天我被他逮着了，我说了这词 “by right”... 他马上说这是Singlish， 好像好说了他当年没有好好明白这词的意思。谁管呢！我的确又不知不觉地展露出 Made in Singapore 的特性。哈哈。
上帝还是很恩待我，本以为我一点 press time都没有，怎晓得LeslieW 小姐那么友善与贴心，到最后还是尽量安排让我能使用机器，一点都不是理所当然。
今天我也到了 24hr Fitness Gym去游泳。还是想念HP Singapore在的Depot Rd 的户外游泳池，池不大但很干净。这所谓的健身游泳池的人潮嘛还真的是复杂，我还是不太习惯。既然是免费的７天会员试用，就勉强接受吧！我想LA Fitness应该比较好些，我得去试用一下下咧…
今天也是我在美国的第６个月的开始 :)
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
图书卡
今天我迟上班，约11点半左右才抵达公司，昨晚工作到10时，老板也觉得这合情合理。
终于@4S 图书馆登记的了我借书卡，程序方便，无需缴任何费用。更棒的是你可以没限量的借贷DVD来观赏，不过只限一周，除非你不介意上网延期，不然一天的罚款为1美元。
我刻意提起这事是因为NLB无论在申请普通借书卡或特别（供DVD借贷）借书卡都有向我们征收费用。像话吗？还是我记错了？我敢肯定你必须要有premium 的借书卡才能借那些DVD，至少ChinL 和 Ming2 是Premium member.
我借了2个DVD。Julie &Julia 和 Changeling。呵呵。开心。
终于@4S 图书馆登记的了我借书卡，程序方便，无需缴任何费用。更棒的是你可以没限量的借贷DVD来观赏，不过只限一周，除非你不介意上网延期，不然一天的罚款为1美元。
我刻意提起这事是因为NLB无论在申请普通借书卡或特别（供DVD借贷）借书卡都有向我们征收费用。像话吗？还是我记错了？我敢肯定你必须要有premium 的借书卡才能借那些DVD，至少ChinL 和 Ming2 是Premium member.
我借了2个DVD。Julie &Julia 和 Changeling。呵呵。开心。
天使之城 - 工作篇
上回说道我自告奋勇地要出席ODS open house, 随诊SeanD 临时的缺席让我感到焦虑不安，担心自己能充当女英雄拯救T200。事件结束后才发现那些担心是多余的。
2.5 小时的车程
星期天上午，我开着我的新Civic，（只不过4个月而已），买了个ham & egg bagel, 口里喝着冻咖啡，打满汽油，兴奋地往着LA的路上行驶。喜欢车子的cruise control （自动行驶）这个feature, 它让我的脚能歇息，并且能偷偷享受路上的风景。大家开车的速度果然还真快，我也不甘示弱，尽量维持在70英里的速度；另一个选择70 的原因也是因为本田的Fuel efficiency 能在70mph时发挥得淋漓尽致，但请放心，我可是打起12分精神开车，没有放松。
我买了泡泡茶（boba, not bubble），rose cheese bun, 多谷面包 和松糕。那可是我的午餐。很抱歉，我无法花尽公司所给我们的50大元餐饮津贴，怎不能叫我成天吃面包吧！满足的我继续40分钟的车程往ODS。85C是我‘一定要去’的目的地之一，打个勾吧！YEAH
那里的环境与设施真的很工厂，不过还是挺干净的。见到一大堆的HP员工在那儿忙碌地为着接下来的Open house event 作最后的准备。我只认识那批同事当中的10%，心里有点慌，他们都是陌生人，该如何打破隔阂呢？我就在那儿做了有的没有的东西。令我惊讶的是大老板尽然也参与预备的过程，让我对他有点另眼相看；不过也当然啦，HP不能让这Openhouse 出任何的差错，不然哪来的钱养这么多人呢？
当中有个相当年轻的小伙子，听说他是督工，看起来蛮脚踏实地的，原来他会在Open house 时负责向客户介绍我们的印刷机。透过小道消息才知道他是ODS主席的儿子，据说他的两位姐姐也为ODS效劳，他的父亲真的是用心良苦。可是21年载的小伙子竟然不上学而开始参与家族生意，真的需要那么急吗？说不定考个工商学位能有助与生意的发展？当然受教育与否不能奠定一个人是否成功，但我相信教育的重点是系统性地开拓和雕塑你的思考模式(shape your thinking)，这有助予一个人的判断能力。哎，含着金钥匙出生的alex 穿起西装来还挺时髦和英俊的！呵呵。
感谢神，他知道我的需要，他让我在首日要回家途中遇见了georgeR。我随口问了他们又和计划，他便recruit 我与他们一同享用晚餐。我可是他们当中的唯一一个女生。我们5人往Venice Beach 的VeniceAle饮酒和用晚餐。
当中有经理级的RonH，资深的工程师GeorgeR 和sheaun, 当然少不了个子很庞大的Mike。从第一天的不熟络到接下来几天的相处，我很感谢上帝的带领。Mike 介绍我们喝Great White，味道还不赖。野干贝也不错，没有特别好吃。对了，我们光顾位于Santa Barbara 最出名的生蚝店blue plates oysters，熟称LA最不可错过的店面。既然是一天忙碌工作后的消遣，我们当然也尽本分店些好吃的慰劳自己。
这回的公干尝了Great White，Ruination, Fat Tire 和 Tangerine。还是Great White 比较好喝，而Ruination 则是Stone brewery 的辣酒，美国人称之poppy.
我也觉得这些美国男士有如Clara 所说比亚洲男士具有风度。因为第一晚我开了自己的车子，用完晚餐要回酒店休息时，RonH 还建议他与我一同乘车，以免我迷路；不过由于我有GPS（定位系统），我拒绝了他的好意。没想到我的GPS 还不错，让我在最短的时间内抵达酒店大厅，我停下车来发现GeorgeR 和 RonH 在我后面，RonH 看见我得拖行李，他还主动帮我拉呢。我的结论是：美国男士还蛮有风度的。呵呵。别误会，他们两人各有家室，所以真的只是心存好意的照顾我这个小妹妹。
这回的公干让我体会到工程师和技术人员的待遇有所不同。我们都住离ODS不远的万好酒店Marriot Marina Del Rey，一个晚上约250美元，还不包括早餐呢 ；而bobbyR 告诉我他住的是100元的酒店，早点都包括在内。这两者的区别应该是... 一个是著名的酒店连锁店而另一个是私家经营的住宿，前者的排场和装潢当然不可马虎。老实说，我觉得这昂贵的Marriots还不及我去年12月在美国温哥华市区住的 TheNines 酒店。下回到华盛顿州我肯定要到 The Nines 住上一晚。呵呵。虽然是公家的钱，我觉得还是需要妥善有智慧的花，不应该奢侈浪费。
2.5 小时的车程
星期天上午，我开着我的新Civic，（只不过4个月而已），买了个ham & egg bagel, 口里喝着冻咖啡，打满汽油，兴奋地往着LA的路上行驶。喜欢车子的cruise control （自动行驶）这个feature, 它让我的脚能歇息，并且能偷偷享受路上的风景。大家开车的速度果然还真快，我也不甘示弱，尽量维持在70英里的速度；另一个选择70 的原因也是因为本田的Fuel efficiency 能在70mph时发挥得淋漓尽致，但请放心，我可是打起12分精神开车，没有放松。第一站当然是到位于irvine 那著名的85C台湾面包店关顾。听太多了称赞他们的面包，无论如何一定要去那儿瞧瞧，看看到底为何如此有魅力，难道面包真的特别可口和价格公道？
远远的便能看到一条人龙，众人都排队等着进取选购面包。我应该排了约40分钟，进取时发现电里面包的种类还挺多的，卖相也不差，价格较西式糕点便宜些；夸张的是你可以看见大伙儿手上都拿着超过10个面包以上，应该说他们是一打打得买，我纳闷的好奇他们家中真的有那么多口吗？
远远的便能看到一条人龙，众人都排队等着进取选购面包。我应该排了约40分钟，进取时发现电里面包的种类还挺多的，卖相也不差，价格较西式糕点便宜些；夸张的是你可以看见大伙儿手上都拿着超过10个面包以上，应该说他们是一打打得买，我纳闷的好奇他们家中真的有那么多口吗？
我买了泡泡茶（boba, not bubble），rose cheese bun, 多谷面包 和松糕。那可是我的午餐。很抱歉，我无法花尽公司所给我们的50大元餐饮津贴，怎不能叫我成天吃面包吧！
那里的环境与设施真的很工厂，不过还是挺干净的。见到一大堆的HP员工在那儿忙碌地为着接下来的Open house event 作最后的准备。我只认识那批同事当中的10%，心里有点慌，他们都是陌生人，该如何打破隔阂呢？我就在那儿做了有的没有的东西。令我惊讶的是大老板尽然也参与预备的过程，让我对他有点另眼相看；不过也当然啦，HP不能让这Openhouse 出任何的差错，不然哪来的钱养这么多人呢？当中有个相当年轻的小伙子，听说他是督工，看起来蛮脚踏实地的，原来他会在Open house 时负责向客户介绍我们的印刷机。透过小道消息才知道他是ODS主席的儿子，据说他的两位姐姐也为ODS效劳，他的父亲真的是用心良苦。可是21年载的小伙子竟然不上学而开始参与家族生意，真的需要那么急吗？说不定考个工商学位能有助与生意的发展？当然受教育与否不能奠定一个人是否成功，但我相信教育的重点是系统性地开拓和雕塑你的思考模式(shape your thinking)，这有助予一个人的判断能力。哎，含着金钥匙出生的alex 穿起西装来还挺时髦和英俊的！呵呵。
感谢神，他知道我的需要，他让我在首日要回家途中遇见了georgeR。我随口问了他们又和计划，他便recruit 我与他们一同享用晚餐。我可是他们当中的唯一一个女生。我们5人往Venice Beach 的VeniceAle饮酒和用晚餐。
当中有经理级的RonH，资深的工程师GeorgeR 和sheaun, 当然少不了个子很庞大的Mike。从第一天的不熟络到接下来几天的相处，我很感谢上帝的带领。Mike 介绍我们喝Great White，味道还不赖。野干贝也不错，没有特别好吃。对了，我们光顾位于Santa Barbara 最出名的生蚝店blue plates oysters，熟称LA最不可错过的店面。既然是一天忙碌工作后的消遣，我们当然也尽本分店些好吃的慰劳自己。
这回的公干尝了Great White，Ruination, Fat Tire 和 Tangerine。还是Great White 比较好喝，而Ruination 则是Stone brewery 的辣酒，美国人称之poppy.
我也觉得这些美国男士有如Clara 所说比亚洲男士具有风度。因为第一晚我开了自己的车子，用完晚餐要回酒店休息时，RonH 还建议他与我一同乘车，以免我迷路；不过由于我有GPS（定位系统），我拒绝了他的好意。没想到我的GPS 还不错，让我在最短的时间内抵达酒店大厅，我停下车来发现GeorgeR 和 RonH 在我后面，RonH 看见我得拖行李，他还主动帮我拉呢。我的结论是：美国男士还蛮有风度的。呵呵。别误会，他们两人各有家室，所以真的只是心存好意的照顾我这个小妹妹。
这回的公干让我体会到工程师和技术人员的待遇有所不同。我们都住离ODS不远的万好酒店Marriot Marina Del Rey，一个晚上约250美元，还不包括早餐呢 ；而bobbyR 告诉我他住的是100元的酒店，早点都包括在内。这两者的区别应该是... 一个是著名的酒店连锁店而另一个是私家经营的住宿，前者的排场和装潢当然不可马虎。老实说，我觉得这昂贵的Marriots还不及我去年12月在美国温哥华市区住的 TheNines 酒店。下回到华盛顿州我肯定要到 The Nines 住上一晚。呵呵。虽然是公家的钱，我觉得还是需要妥善有智慧的花，不应该奢侈浪费。
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Pancake + Mount Cowles
周六是咱们小组的‘外出日’，所以我显得特别兴奋。虽然天气预报圣地亚哥有20% 的可能性会下雨，我们还是抱着观望的态度。 
既然我与 Duncan 住的蛮近的，所以我便建议搭他的顺风车；于是我便提早30分钟出门徒步到他的住处。越走越不对劲，似乎感觉到小雨点，回头是不太可能，所以便加快脚步前往目的地。我太低估自己的速度了，其实应该提前45分钟，而非30分钟。淋了一点的小雨，心里还是希望天色能变好，那样我们才能去hiking 啊。
当天的第一件事就是喂饱大家的肚子，我们约见在SD著名的pancake 店，名为the original Pancake House。不是吧，竟然还有人排队！还好其他的组员提早抵达，我们无需等太久就可以就座。一眼望去，这真的是白人的玩意儿，而且一般是老太太来先生爱作的事，早餐吃Pancake可不是我们亚洲人的习惯。不过既然那么著名，还是得尝尝！
我点了dutch baby，德式pancake，配上牛油，糖和lemon，简单的美式烘饼，Nothing fancy, as simple as that, just FLOUR! 就只是面粉！同席的都点了各自爱吃的烘饼，大大的一个烘饼，配上咖啡，我竟然不觉得吃得很幸福！也许我需要一点肉来搭配。。。 呵呵。也许我下回不会花接近20大元吃面粉啦！还是韩国烤肉让我满足些。。。哈哈。照片里的姐妹叫淑娟，她一直都很照顾我，她在UCSD做研究。随着天气的好转，我们到了Mt Cowles (念'coals')。太阳猛得很，但感谢神我还是看到了朵朵白云，至少对皮肤没有那么伤！冒失的我忘了带帽子和墨镜，简直是直接曝晒，还好还是决定穿上长袖衣，不然破坏可大了。沿路我们看到有许多的人，还有人跑上山！呵呵。壮极了！
Mt Cowles 可说是SD城市最高的山，1592 尺，在山的顶峰你能有360度的视觉享受。你能看见神那独特和奇妙的创造，SD的山还多得让我感到惊讶！还有，还可以看到墨西哥的Tijuana 和两个岛屿。就在几天前，有人告诉我说Texas（德州）或美国中部一带是平原，什么都没有，若是你开车到哪，你会边开边骂，或边打瞌睡。为什么呢？因为除了平原和玉蜀黍园，什么都没有，人烟稀少。 就因着刚明白其他地方的地理局限，让我更感到自己是蒙祝福的，因为我身在一个何等美丽美好的地区。往东开15分钟你能到达海边，往西开一个小时内就可以抵达山区，再向内陆继续开便是沙漠，若向北部开上2个小时便可以上Big bear 滑雪，SD够得天独厚吧！
那人还问我为何选择到SD上班？因为这里除了天气好以外，生活水平都非常高，水费可是全美最贵的，基本上不是一个能让你赚很多钱的地方。我被问的愣住了，事因我从来没有想过SD是个昂贵的城市，还以为SD无法和纽约或三藩市，甚至是洛杉矶相比，怎知生活水平还能与洛杉矶抗衡。理由很简单，上帝开路，而且HP的研发中心只集中在2个地方，不是北部的Corvallis 和Vancouver， 就是SD。我当然选择SD啦！
我们边走边照相。山上的野花也不少，多为黄色的花朵，它们不种也不收，但耶和华上帝依然纪念它们。这是恩典，不是吗？
我们边走边照相。山上的野花也不少，多为黄色的花朵，它们不种也不收，但耶和华上帝依然纪念它们。这是恩典，不是吗？来回的路程共花了2个小时多一些。看得出大家有点疲累但每个人都显露出开心和满足的表情。因为这一切的美景都是上帝的创造，蔚蓝的天空加上朵朵的白云，太平洋的海岸线和那一座座的山丘，融入在城市发展的规划，这看起来蛮有秩序，很棒！
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