In Loving Memory

It's a privilege for the second generations of immigrant families to have close relations to grandparents from the homeland. And so it was a real blessing for my sister and me to grow up in the presence of my maternal grandmother, who came over from Taiwan and lived for extended periods with us during our childhood. She became my closest grandparent. And that's why it's been so difficult to accept the fact that she passed away less than a week ago.

I saw her last Christmas when she came to Illinois for a family reunion. Though we knew she had cancer, and that it was only a matter of time, no one thought that she would pass so quickly. In fact, just last month she took a trip to her hometown, Hangzhou, China. At age 85, she was remarkably active and strong.

But I'm glad that, when the cancer took over, it happened quickly. Though her final days were excruciating, I imagine she was able to think back upon recent memories of joyful reunions with her children and grandchildren. My own lasting memories of her are of that pleasant, jovial, and sprightly old woman. The one who loved to play cards and go on walks. The one who loved to cook for me and my friends. The one who could find amusement in every situation, whose contagious laugh could be heard even as she recounted stories of her difficult childhood. The one who was beautiful everytime I saw her. The one whom I am blessed to call Grandma.

I look forward, in faith, to the day I see her again in Heaven.

Grandma
April 20, 1922 - May 19, 2007

New Friends, Part 2

A while back, I promised that I would introduce to you more of the new friends I've made in the Seattle area. And then you heard no mention of them for two months. Really, I can make friends. Look!

This is Sarah, the friend who left her three dachsunds at my place once upon a time:

Mmm, dachsund hot dog...

Sarah hails from Texas, and has spent time in St. Louis for college (woohoo, Class of 2004) and in SoCal for a previous job. After we met at work up here, she convinced me to join her in the Happy Hour class at the company gym. And, sure, it was a fun way to do cardio...until she ditched me. Now it's like the step aerobics from hell. (Okay, I exaggerate, but an imaginary gold star to whoever can identify the reference without Googling.)

Sarah has since redeemed her truant ways by hosting the occasional game night at her place. And our game nights are fun, even when I'm busy accruing idiot points in games like Continental. At our next game night we'll be playing Cranium. All I can say is, I am going to blind-sketch my team to victory, while Sarah and her team can die on all the spelling challenges. :P

One last random fact: Sarah's fiance Carlos and I share a common bond in our immature love of butt humor. Sarah really doesn't know what she's getting herself into...

I am reminded of one of my favorite internet comic strips, Cyanide & Happiness:

And suddenly my blog is rated PG-13.