Will things ever be the same?

My daughter Evelyn (Chihuahua) Chang text me today. It came so unexpected and really surprised me. I guess I really felt distant between me and my two daughters ever since I've been back from China. Things just aren't the same any more between us.... To me nothing has changed on my end, but I didn't realize how much distant it has grew between me and my daughters.

I now can feel that they don't trust me as much as they used to anymore....there are now secrets and things that they would not tell me about even if I ask or confront them about. Especially now that they are entering the stage of liking guys and perhaps even being with someone already. They failed to realize the fact that they are still young and these puppy loves are insignificant compared to what God will bring along in the future.

Since when did I became such a bad father? It wasn't like we never taught them about these things....but where did everything starting going wrong? Was it the fact that I left for 4 months?I really wish things could go back to how they were when they're both naive, innocent, and down to earth with no secrets to hide.

I miss the old them.....will things ever be the same?

Trip to Mexico!

Last Saturday, a bunch of us from church went down to Mexico for a short mission trip to deliver the goods that was collected amount the rest of our congregation. I can't begin to tell you how bless I was to be able to go on this trip.

Here are some of the awesome moments of our trip!

























Although it didn't go as planned due to some lack of planning and communication, but by the grace of God it all worked out at the end and the mission was still successfully accomplished!Gracias Señor!

p.s. Thanks to everyone that went! It was a honor serving w/ you all!

Thank you....

Thanks to all of you who took me to the happiest place on earth for steak. I had a really great time with all of you! Although Green and Chihuahua couldn't make it, it was still fun....but just different w/o having them around. I really miss the times when we were all able to be there.....I guess the older you get....the less available you are. Gosh....i m so old.....I hate it....

The Secret Place....

So....the secret place I was talking about in the last post was The Rock Church in San Diego. It was really exciting to be there because there was a Chris Tomlin concert going on there. For those of you who don't know him, he is one of the greatest artist in modern worship. I've always wanted to go to his concert and now I finally got to see him in action. I love the way how his concert felt more like a church worship set then an actual concert. It wasn't so much of a show but a true genuine session of worship. Something else that really sparked the night and made his concert so great was the unforgettable word shared by Louie Giglio. It really made me thinkn about HOW GReAT IS OUR GOD, which happened to be the name of this tour. I love everything about this concert and how it just floats all together. Anywayz.....I wish you all get a chance in your lifetime to go to one of his concerts, it's truely amazing!

Tonight....a secret....

Tonight I will be heading off to a secret place! I'm really excited about it and can't wait til it's time to go! It was kind of a last min thing since I really shouldn't be going anywhere considering the fact that I will be leaving next day in the morning to go to China....but who cares!

I will keep this place a secret for now.....I will put more updates to share after I return from it! Stay tune!

Here I go again....

Tomorrow I will be leaving for China again! However, this time will only be a short two weeks trip instead of the 4 months like my last trip. The purpose of my trip is to make sure we have enough support for the upcoming holiday season and also to help my friend Liz since it's her first time to China!

I'm very excited about my trip but at the same time I feel sad because I know I'm going to miss my kids and friends.....please keep me in your prayers for my trip and as well as the things I'll be doing there. Thanks yall!

It's been awhile...

It's been awhile since my last post.....life has been really really busy since I've came back....I guess life is a lot simpler in China. As we all know that I might be going back so maybe you'll see more blogs from me then.....

08-08-2008

Today was a memorable and exciting day for me! It's exactly 1 year (365 days) from the the 2008 Beijing Olympics! and I've decided to try something I would've never thought of doing!

I applied to be a volunteer at the 2008 Beijing Olympics! It would such an honor if I'm accepted! I'm really praying that I get this....and if I do get it, I will be taking a month of vacation time from work to participate in this amazing event! I never thought I would be this excited about it but I am.

I'm really proud of all the people who contributed in this world wide historical event. Although I was born in Taiwan, but our ancestors came from China so I consider myself Chinese-American. It's exciting to see how much hope, happiness, anxiousness the Olympics has brought among this country.

I think the reason why I'm so excited is because I actually might have a chance to be apart of something special!! Anyways, I'll keep you guys updated on this to see if I make it or not.... Please pray for me that I get it!!! if not, I won't feel upset because someone else will get the chance to and maybe I'll just have to wait another 4 years.

Here is a logo for the 2008 Beijing Olympics and it's volunteers!! They are the foundation of this awesome event! (there will be some 200,000 volunteers at this event!)

Fat Food In China....

Last time when I posted about American fast food was a while ago, but I was just excited to see one all the way out here.

The other day I actually went to one and tried it. It turns out to be pretty much the same....but it's cool to have something for a change that actually reminds me of what "Fat Foods" tastes like.

Spicy Chicken Sandwich.

Popcorn Chicken.

I've also tried McDonald's , and I was actually surprised that they made it taste exactly like how it would in the US.

Can't forget my McNuggets!

I hate blogs soooo much....

Sorry....I know I was suppose to post some more but I've been really busy lately like right now....so I'm going to go back to work but I will try to post more once I get a chance......GOSH I HATE BLOGS!!!!! FREAKING IDIOT!

Green Tea.....

This blog is dedicated to Aaron....

Green Tea has always been a all time drink for me and Aaron. It's healthy, taste great, and extremely refreshing when it's hot. From the 99 cents Arizona Green Tea to the $2.50 Chinese Green Tea, it has became a part of our life....it's a must ....

Since green tea is dirt cheap here in China, I've stocked up lots of green teas.



Since it's really hot here, I drink about 3 Litters of green tea a day which like 2 of those big bottles in the picture.

I hate blogs....

Since I have've been really busy at work....haven't blog in like a month.....I'll try to post a few today to update what's happened in the past few weeks......gosh I hate blogs.....

Traffic...

Have you ever gotten stuck in traffic on the freeway because bunch of people stopping/slowing down to see an accident? Well....here in China....it's 10 times worst. When something happens on the street, people immediately form a circle around it. When other sees this, they actually RUN towards it to see what happened. What's even worst is if this happened on a freeway or big streets, people actually stop in the middle of the road just to get off the car to look at what happened.

This happened a few weeks ago. I was on my way home from work and saw bunch of people just standing on the street. Police and rescue team from the fire department are all over the place.



A car was SMASHED by a big truck that tipped over.



Here is a pic of all the inconsiderate people that parked their car right in the middle of the street just to get off to "look".

Inconsiderate crowds are standing so close to the scene even inside of the police line. They don't even consider their action might get in the way of the rescue.



After the driver was rescued from the smashed car, it took two big cranes to flip the tipped over truck back on it's wheels.

Whats left of the car.......

The driver was lucky to be alive.....

Trip # 2 National Tresure.....

This past weekend was a fun and exciting weekend! I GOT TO SEE SOME GIANT PANDAS! They're the most adorable animal ever! I wish I owned one.....they're much better than having a dog or cat.... but they do eat a lot and needs extensive care....they each cost about $8000-$12000 a year just on food, not to mention all the other medical treatment and what not. If I was filthy rich then I would for sure like to own one!!!!! Anywayz, let me tell you about my exciting trip!

I woke up around 6:00AM although I only slept for like 3 hours but I was so excited that I didn't care much about the lack of sleep. After I got ready, I took the taxi to my c0-worker Rosalie's pad about 15 mins away. We met up around 8 and took of shortly after we picked up her car from her parent's place.

Here is Rosalie's cute little green mobile!

Since none of us been to this place before, Rosalie's husband busted out his GPS to lead the way....the sad thing is that we still got lost a few times.....lol! After an hour of searching, bunch of u-turns, and endless back tracking.....we finally arrived to the ChengDu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.

This is a pic of the ticket!

It's a really nice Sunday morning with not a lot of people and great cool weather. These bamboo planted on the side of the road makes you fee like you're in a green tunnel and it really relaxes me.

Most of the people here came with a tour so they have a guide that takes them everywhere.....since we don't....we kinda just wondered around not knowing where to go....but as soon as we saw this sign, we were back in business!



The first kind of panda we saw were these Red Pandas, they are a special kind in the panda family. I think they look more like raccoons.....



After the red pandas, we went to the nursery where they take care of baby pandas.....but since this is barely the mating season, there won't be any baby pandas for another few months...... =(

I took a picture from a picture to show you what baby pandas look like....



Next stop, we saw the most adorable little panda cubs!



Most pandas are pretty lazy.....all they do is eat and sleep all day....this guy below reminds me of myself when I get lazy....



This little fella is my favorite! I named him Buba!



He was the only one that would move around to play while everyone else is asleep, but he's lonely caz he has not friends.....



He is sad caz he wanted to play on the swing but no one would push him.....

**I would if I could, but I can't so I won't....so stop saying I'm mean Isabel**



But he's a tough one, he was going to do it on his own.....but it still didn't really work.....



This guy just sits and watch Buba suffer....chewing on his bamboo like pop corn....



This sign sounds cute in Chinese but the translation sucks....

It should say "Don't feed me, I only like to eat the health meals provided by my mom"



This sign is right....you really don't want to feed these giant pandas....they eat a lot as the way it is....there is no need to feed them more......



Look at how much they eat!!!!



They are so lazy that they would put all the bamboo next to them so they can sit there the whole time when they're eating and never had to get up.....



Here is the whole familia grubbing breakfast together.......



When I saw the panda family, I thought of my puppy family....so I decided to take a picture with them next to the panda family....

Since I don't have PhotoShop on my computer.....this is a ghetto version of my puppy family portrait with the pandas.....maybe next time we'll take some real ones with the pandas.....



Here is the real pic I took with Rosalie's husband......



After the pandas are done eating.....it's time for a nap.....



Here is a funny sign I saw.....since pandas are endangered animals, they're consider one of China's most valuable National Treasure. Apparently....they hate noise....



Today at work....every time I look at this pic, it cracks me up.....it looks like someone is in a panda body suit!! LOL!!! I was giggling all day and I still can't get over it!



Some say I look like him....do you see the resemblances?



After all, this was a great trip and I really enjoyed seeing these adorable creatures. However, there was one thing that I really regraded not doing......I did not get to hold a panda cub or take a picture with one.....

We saw people taking pics with one but we didn't know where they bought the tickets from and they were with the tour, so we figure they wouldn't know caz it's probably included as a part of their tour. People were also mentioning that you could spend $1000RMB to hold a little panda cub and take picture with it. If I knew where, I probably would've done it.....

Since I didn't get to take a pic with one.....I had to use my ghetto PaintShop to make one for myself.....



One of my co-worker mention that she knew people from here and they will let me hold the panda cub for free !!! so I hope to go back again before I leave or come back some other time to visit....I will do it for sure this time....even if I have to pay, it's well worth it!!!