Wednesday, October 31, 2001
NEW YORK RECAP
Thanks to everyone for your prayers. Karena, Luong, and I are back safe and sound after having a blast in New York. Here's a recap.
Most Interesting Stat: Since we stopped off in Las Vegas en route to New York, that meant Luong had been to Vegas three out of the last four weekends.
Funniest Conversation: After talking about how strict airport security would be with everything, especially knives and sharp objects, Luong replies, "I hope they let me in with my spiky hair!"
Most Annoying Passenger: Some guys sitting behind us talking loudly the whole plane ride and ends it with, "Wow! That was the BEST landing I've ever experienced. I'm going to tell the flight attendant. No, better yet. When I get off the plane, if the pilot is standing there, I'm going to shake his hand and tell him personally." And he said this over and over and over ... and over.
Best Food (Restaurant): the Reuben sandwich at the Carnegie Deli. It's about the size of four of my fists and the taste was awesome! Too bad we didn't get to try their cheesecake because it looked even better than the sandwich.
Best Food (From street vendors): Gyros in pita bread. The best $3 I ever spent. I was obsessed with them the whole trip.
Worst Food: Some place in the eastern side of the Village (by NYU) called Mama's Kitchen or something like that. Their Southern food was okay (great veggies, so-so fried chicken) but the atmosphere just seemed to make the food taste bad.
Funniest Moment: While buying a "fake" purse on the street, Karena notices that the sewn on name-brand tag is off-center. But the street guy does the amazing - he feels off the tag and moves it because it's just a sticker and not sewn on at all. You can't put anyting past these guys! They're professionals!
Famous TV/Movies Sights We Visited: The building Chandler works in, Cafe Lalo from You've Got Mail where Tom Hanks meets Meg Ryan, the outside of NYPD Blue's 15th Precinct, the NBC Studios, outside the Today Show, outside MTV's TRL (with people outside shouting at Carson Daly "You're gay, Carson!," outside Rockfeller Center's ice skating rink seen in Serendipity, outside ESPNZone in Times Square, outside Madison Square Garden, outside Shea Stadium, outside Late Show with David Letterman.
Most Emotional Moment: Visiting Ground Zero. Words cannot describe it.
Dirtiest Bathroom: Surprisingly, not the one on the plane. Actually, a McDonald's in Lower Manhatten where there was more than its fair share of undistinguishable fluids on the floor, the toilet seat, the sink, etc. And don't even get me started on the smell ...
Favorite Movie On TV: Eddie Murphy's classic "Coming To America" just beats out "Meet the Parents." Maybe it was just because we saw a lot of places in the movie: Queens, the Wardoff, etc.
Most Things Taken From the Hotel: Eight items taken by your truly, of course, since I'm so ultra-Chinese. I took two bars of soap, a shampoo, a conditioner, a lotion, and three bags of coffee maker. Hey, at least I didn't take the towels!
Most Red-Faced Moment (for Karena): Standing with airport security with her belt unbuckled and her arms raised at her side so they could check for metal.
Most Red-Faced Moment (for me): Hanging out at the W Hotel after having two apple martinis.
Favorite two people to hang out with in New York: Karena and Luong, of course!
Thanks to everyone for your prayers. Karena, Luong, and I are back safe and sound after having a blast in New York. Here's a recap.
Most Interesting Stat: Since we stopped off in Las Vegas en route to New York, that meant Luong had been to Vegas three out of the last four weekends.
Funniest Conversation: After talking about how strict airport security would be with everything, especially knives and sharp objects, Luong replies, "I hope they let me in with my spiky hair!"
Most Annoying Passenger: Some guys sitting behind us talking loudly the whole plane ride and ends it with, "Wow! That was the BEST landing I've ever experienced. I'm going to tell the flight attendant. No, better yet. When I get off the plane, if the pilot is standing there, I'm going to shake his hand and tell him personally." And he said this over and over and over ... and over.
Best Food (Restaurant): the Reuben sandwich at the Carnegie Deli. It's about the size of four of my fists and the taste was awesome! Too bad we didn't get to try their cheesecake because it looked even better than the sandwich.
Best Food (From street vendors): Gyros in pita bread. The best $3 I ever spent. I was obsessed with them the whole trip.
Worst Food: Some place in the eastern side of the Village (by NYU) called Mama's Kitchen or something like that. Their Southern food was okay (great veggies, so-so fried chicken) but the atmosphere just seemed to make the food taste bad.
Funniest Moment: While buying a "fake" purse on the street, Karena notices that the sewn on name-brand tag is off-center. But the street guy does the amazing - he feels off the tag and moves it because it's just a sticker and not sewn on at all. You can't put anyting past these guys! They're professionals!
Famous TV/Movies Sights We Visited: The building Chandler works in, Cafe Lalo from You've Got Mail where Tom Hanks meets Meg Ryan, the outside of NYPD Blue's 15th Precinct, the NBC Studios, outside the Today Show, outside MTV's TRL (with people outside shouting at Carson Daly "You're gay, Carson!," outside Rockfeller Center's ice skating rink seen in Serendipity, outside ESPNZone in Times Square, outside Madison Square Garden, outside Shea Stadium, outside Late Show with David Letterman.
Most Emotional Moment: Visiting Ground Zero. Words cannot describe it.
Dirtiest Bathroom: Surprisingly, not the one on the plane. Actually, a McDonald's in Lower Manhatten where there was more than its fair share of undistinguishable fluids on the floor, the toilet seat, the sink, etc. And don't even get me started on the smell ...
Favorite Movie On TV: Eddie Murphy's classic "Coming To America" just beats out "Meet the Parents." Maybe it was just because we saw a lot of places in the movie: Queens, the Wardoff, etc.
Most Things Taken From the Hotel: Eight items taken by your truly, of course, since I'm so ultra-Chinese. I took two bars of soap, a shampoo, a conditioner, a lotion, and three bags of coffee maker. Hey, at least I didn't take the towels!
Most Red-Faced Moment (for Karena): Standing with airport security with her belt unbuckled and her arms raised at her side so they could check for metal.
Most Red-Faced Moment (for me): Hanging out at the W Hotel after having two apple martinis.
Favorite two people to hang out with in New York: Karena and Luong, of course!
Friday, October 26, 2001
A MESSAGE FROM TONY CASELLI
Ehhh, dis is Tony. I'm a New York Italian gangster straight out of the city. I became friends with Victor during his trip here and will be covering his page. But ehhh, fugghettaboutit. Me and the family wanted to let you know he's doing just fine. Besides, if there were any hijackers or ists, the mob would take him out. Trust me. But ehhh, fughettaboutit.
Ehhh, dis is Tony. I'm a New York Italian gangster straight out of the city. I became friends with Victor during his trip here and will be covering his page. But ehhh, fugghettaboutit. Me and the family wanted to let you know he's doing just fine. Besides, if there were any hijackers or ists, the mob would take him out. Trust me. But ehhh, fughettaboutit.
Wednesday, October 24, 2001
GAINING AN HOUR
This will be my last entry before I take off for my New York weekend. I leave Thursday night after work and don't come back until Tuesday late afternoon. So, obviously this page will be on hold until then ... unless of course, I get a hold of a computer with internet access!
I found out that we gain an hour this Saturday for daylight's saving time. Usually, I'm bummed about this because even though you gain an hour (I usually spend it sleeping), you realize that summer is really over and that it'll be dark outside by 5:15pm. Sad. That means I'll be driving home in the dark after work. Plus, it means I have to go through the trouble of changing all the clocks in my apartment, but also the clocks in my room at home. And it's not like you can just hit the "hour" button one time like you do in the springtime to "fall forward." Instead, you have to go all the way around until you're an hour behind. I don't think there's anything more annoying than that. Hmm, maybe that's where I spend my extra hour - adjusting all the clocks.
But this time around, I'm so happy because that means we get an extra hour free to live it up in the NYC. That'll give me time to do accomplish some of the goals I have for this trip, including:
1. Buy a "Rolexx" watch from a street vendor wearing a trenchcoat.
2. Eat some real New York style pizza and bagels.
3. Visit Ground Zero where the WTC once stood.
4. Play some tunes on my guitar in the subway to get some extra change.
5. Look for Felicity, the Friends gang, Jerry Seinfeld, Bill Clinton, Conan O'Brien.
6. Avoid Rosie O'Donnell (Karena wants to go see a taping of her show).
Ahh, this trip is going to be great. Thank goodness for the extra hour. Now, I just might be able to squeeze everything in.
************************
Song blasting from my car: U2's "New York," of course!!!
This will be my last entry before I take off for my New York weekend. I leave Thursday night after work and don't come back until Tuesday late afternoon. So, obviously this page will be on hold until then ... unless of course, I get a hold of a computer with internet access!
I found out that we gain an hour this Saturday for daylight's saving time. Usually, I'm bummed about this because even though you gain an hour (I usually spend it sleeping), you realize that summer is really over and that it'll be dark outside by 5:15pm. Sad. That means I'll be driving home in the dark after work. Plus, it means I have to go through the trouble of changing all the clocks in my apartment, but also the clocks in my room at home. And it's not like you can just hit the "hour" button one time like you do in the springtime to "fall forward." Instead, you have to go all the way around until you're an hour behind. I don't think there's anything more annoying than that. Hmm, maybe that's where I spend my extra hour - adjusting all the clocks.
But this time around, I'm so happy because that means we get an extra hour free to live it up in the NYC. That'll give me time to do accomplish some of the goals I have for this trip, including:
1. Buy a "Rolexx" watch from a street vendor wearing a trenchcoat.
2. Eat some real New York style pizza and bagels.
3. Visit Ground Zero where the WTC once stood.
4. Play some tunes on my guitar in the subway to get some extra change.
5. Look for Felicity, the Friends gang, Jerry Seinfeld, Bill Clinton, Conan O'Brien.
6. Avoid Rosie O'Donnell (Karena wants to go see a taping of her show).
Ahh, this trip is going to be great. Thank goodness for the extra hour. Now, I just might be able to squeeze everything in.
************************
Song blasting from my car: U2's "New York," of course!!!
Tuesday, October 23, 2001
TAKIN' OUT THE TERRORISTS
If you haven't noticed my bulging muscles lately (haa, like you wouldn't have noticed my bulging muscles), I've been working out pretty consistently for about six months now. And I often wondered why I was working out like a madman. Was it to fed my own ego? Not really. Was it to impress my girlfriend? Nah, she's already impressed with me. =) Was it for my health? Yeah right. You've all seen me eat and know I'm no health nut.
Well, now I've found out the reason.
A few days ago, I had a conversation with my brother Raymond about flying New York. Here's a loose transcript of our conversation:
Ray: Are you ready to fly.
Vic: I guess so. I'm a little freaked out, but there's no way I'm going to let some terrorist act keep me from living my life.
Ray: More importantly, are you ready to take out some terrorists? Because I expect you to if it comes down to that.
Vic: Yeah, I've been thinking about that to. I'll definitely be one of the bigger guys on the plane and I'll be expected to take them out.
Ray: Don't worry, you're Chinese and have watched kung-fu movies all your life. You have an arsenal that they've never seen.
Vic: Yeah, my combination of secret Raymond Shen moves coupled with my Montebello break-dancing background will leave them powerless. It's too bad Karena and Luong can't help me. (Karena actually can because she knows judo)
Ray: Yeah they can. Karena can distract them while you pick up Luong and throw him at them.
Working out, watching kung-fu movies, and breakin' on the Montebello streets in the early 1980s has more than prepared me to take out some terrorists. You think our plane is going to be used as a bomb? Not on my watch, baby!!!
If you haven't noticed my bulging muscles lately (haa, like you wouldn't have noticed my bulging muscles), I've been working out pretty consistently for about six months now. And I often wondered why I was working out like a madman. Was it to fed my own ego? Not really. Was it to impress my girlfriend? Nah, she's already impressed with me. =) Was it for my health? Yeah right. You've all seen me eat and know I'm no health nut.
Well, now I've found out the reason.
A few days ago, I had a conversation with my brother Raymond about flying New York. Here's a loose transcript of our conversation:
Ray: Are you ready to fly.
Vic: I guess so. I'm a little freaked out, but there's no way I'm going to let some terrorist act keep me from living my life.
Ray: More importantly, are you ready to take out some terrorists? Because I expect you to if it comes down to that.
Vic: Yeah, I've been thinking about that to. I'll definitely be one of the bigger guys on the plane and I'll be expected to take them out.
Ray: Don't worry, you're Chinese and have watched kung-fu movies all your life. You have an arsenal that they've never seen.
Vic: Yeah, my combination of secret Raymond Shen moves coupled with my Montebello break-dancing background will leave them powerless. It's too bad Karena and Luong can't help me. (Karena actually can because she knows judo)
Ray: Yeah they can. Karena can distract them while you pick up Luong and throw him at them.
Working out, watching kung-fu movies, and breakin' on the Montebello streets in the early 1980s has more than prepared me to take out some terrorists. You think our plane is going to be used as a bomb? Not on my watch, baby!!!
Monday, October 22, 2001
LAX ADVENTURES
I went to pick up Karena last night from LAX after her weekend in San Francisco. I have to admit that I was a little apprehensive about going to LAX because I didn't want to be waiting in these long lines just to get diverted to some parking lot three miles away so I could hop on a shuttle just to go pick her up. Good thing they re-opened up the center of LAX to private cars.
And when I got there, everything was all good. I got to park in the metered parking with no problems. Well, except the car in front of me with a USC sticker stole a good parking space from me (the first one in the first row with about an hour of time on it). Just goes to show you that absolutely nothing good comes out of USC ... except Karena, Tyrone, and Mark McGwire.
And I didn't even get to meet her at the gate like a good boyfriend should do (take note, guys) because they had a security block off allowing only ticketed passengers beyond a certain point. But, it all worked out and we were able to find each other thanks to our cell phones. What did people do before cell phones? I can't even remember now.
So, LAX seems back to normal, more or less. Which is a good thing because I'm going back there Thursday with my parents and Karena and Luong so we can invade the Big Apple and my parents can stay there for 2 hours to pick up my sister. Aren't parents great?
I went to pick up Karena last night from LAX after her weekend in San Francisco. I have to admit that I was a little apprehensive about going to LAX because I didn't want to be waiting in these long lines just to get diverted to some parking lot three miles away so I could hop on a shuttle just to go pick her up. Good thing they re-opened up the center of LAX to private cars.
And when I got there, everything was all good. I got to park in the metered parking with no problems. Well, except the car in front of me with a USC sticker stole a good parking space from me (the first one in the first row with about an hour of time on it). Just goes to show you that absolutely nothing good comes out of USC ... except Karena, Tyrone, and Mark McGwire.
And I didn't even get to meet her at the gate like a good boyfriend should do (take note, guys) because they had a security block off allowing only ticketed passengers beyond a certain point. But, it all worked out and we were able to find each other thanks to our cell phones. What did people do before cell phones? I can't even remember now.
So, LAX seems back to normal, more or less. Which is a good thing because I'm going back there Thursday with my parents and Karena and Luong so we can invade the Big Apple and my parents can stay there for 2 hours to pick up my sister. Aren't parents great?
Sunday, October 21, 2001
I AM PROUD TO BE A CHINESE-AMERICAN
Here's a discussion I had with one of the nurses, who is Chinese, at work today:
DAVID: It's good you speak Chinese, Victor. Speaking is the first steps to understanding your culture. Otherwise, you're neither Chinese or American.
VICTOR: Yeah, I now realize that Chinese school was a good thing for my parents to send me to as a kid, even though I hated it. And let me tell you, I hated it.
DAVID: The Chinese culture is special. They support strong morals. I don't know if you're a Christian (I nodded and was pleasantly surprised to find out that he was one too), but a lot of what Chinese people value are in line with Christian morals: strong family structure, no sex before marriage, saving your money and being a good steward of it, and things like that.
VICTOR: Yeah, I'm good at the first two, but not the last one. And I'm glad my parents instilled in me the Chinese culture that ...
DAVID: (interrupting, because he's getting excited) Don't tell anyone this (whispers), but I can't stand the way Americans raise their kids and live their lives. Sex, parties, spending money at will. What kind of life is that? They have no sense of what's special, what's sacred in this life.
VICTOR: Yeah, I agree that ...
DAVID: (interrupting again) Confucius said a lot of good things that I wish Americans today would follow. You dating?
VICTOR: Yes.
DAVID: Good. You're 25, right? That's good. Just make sure your family loves her too because dating and eventually marriage involves the family as much as it involves the two people. It's Chinese tradition.
VICTOR: Yeah, I'm big on family too.
DAVID: Good.
In conclusion, I have to say that it's good to be Chinese and to have the Chinese culture instilled in me, thanks to my parents and grandparents. I think the only downside to the Chinese culture is how often they cut you off when they get excited.
Here's a discussion I had with one of the nurses, who is Chinese, at work today:
DAVID: It's good you speak Chinese, Victor. Speaking is the first steps to understanding your culture. Otherwise, you're neither Chinese or American.
VICTOR: Yeah, I now realize that Chinese school was a good thing for my parents to send me to as a kid, even though I hated it. And let me tell you, I hated it.
DAVID: The Chinese culture is special. They support strong morals. I don't know if you're a Christian (I nodded and was pleasantly surprised to find out that he was one too), but a lot of what Chinese people value are in line with Christian morals: strong family structure, no sex before marriage, saving your money and being a good steward of it, and things like that.
VICTOR: Yeah, I'm good at the first two, but not the last one. And I'm glad my parents instilled in me the Chinese culture that ...
DAVID: (interrupting, because he's getting excited) Don't tell anyone this (whispers), but I can't stand the way Americans raise their kids and live their lives. Sex, parties, spending money at will. What kind of life is that? They have no sense of what's special, what's sacred in this life.
VICTOR: Yeah, I agree that ...
DAVID: (interrupting again) Confucius said a lot of good things that I wish Americans today would follow. You dating?
VICTOR: Yes.
DAVID: Good. You're 25, right? That's good. Just make sure your family loves her too because dating and eventually marriage involves the family as much as it involves the two people. It's Chinese tradition.
VICTOR: Yeah, I'm big on family too.
DAVID: Good.
In conclusion, I have to say that it's good to be Chinese and to have the Chinese culture instilled in me, thanks to my parents and grandparents. I think the only downside to the Chinese culture is how often they cut you off when they get excited.
WELCOME HOME, TYRONE
After being in England for three months, Tyrone Chan made his triumphant return this past week and we celebrated at B.J's in Brea by eating waaaaaay too much pizza. My personal faves are the Great White and BBQ Chicken. I ate so much of them that I'm feeling a little sick now. Just hope I don't hurl.
And Velina and Luong even managed to keep this thing a surprise ... which is hard to do with us considering a lot of us (especially yours truly) have big mouths (for talking, not just eating).
As for me, I think I've been worried about my friendship with Ty for a while now. But after tonight, I realized that even though we haven't been able to hang out the last few months, things are still all good with us and I'm happy about that. We'll keep doing our thing, but at the end of the day, I hope he knows that I've still got his back.
Some highlights of the evening: 1) Carpooling with Jason and Debbie and Wendy and having conversations about everything from dating to country music to wedding cakes; 2) Jason, Dennis, and Luong talking to the empty chair next to me as if Karena was sitting there (she wasn't because she's in San Francisco); 3) On my way to the bathroom, Dennis and I stopped in the bar portion and experienced a bit of heaven on earth with one TV on the Lakers/Kings pre-season game, another on the UCLA/Cal football game, another on the Nets/MJ (umm, I mean Wizards) game, and another still on the Braves/D'backs playoff game. Victor: Is this heaven? Dennis: No, it's Iowa.
After being in England for three months, Tyrone Chan made his triumphant return this past week and we celebrated at B.J's in Brea by eating waaaaaay too much pizza. My personal faves are the Great White and BBQ Chicken. I ate so much of them that I'm feeling a little sick now. Just hope I don't hurl.
And Velina and Luong even managed to keep this thing a surprise ... which is hard to do with us considering a lot of us (especially yours truly) have big mouths (for talking, not just eating).
As for me, I think I've been worried about my friendship with Ty for a while now. But after tonight, I realized that even though we haven't been able to hang out the last few months, things are still all good with us and I'm happy about that. We'll keep doing our thing, but at the end of the day, I hope he knows that I've still got his back.
Some highlights of the evening: 1) Carpooling with Jason and Debbie and Wendy and having conversations about everything from dating to country music to wedding cakes; 2) Jason, Dennis, and Luong talking to the empty chair next to me as if Karena was sitting there (she wasn't because she's in San Francisco); 3) On my way to the bathroom, Dennis and I stopped in the bar portion and experienced a bit of heaven on earth with one TV on the Lakers/Kings pre-season game, another on the UCLA/Cal football game, another on the Nets/MJ (umm, I mean Wizards) game, and another still on the Braves/D'backs playoff game. Victor: Is this heaven? Dennis: No, it's Iowa.
KOINONIA'S DATE WITH DELTA
I knew this before, but I was reminded of this tonight. After leading worship with Jimmy Ng for our joint worship time with Delta, I've been reminded just how awesome he is. As Michael would say, he's "a solid guy." He definitely has his priorities straight and that caught my attention.
And sitting there with Delta tonight, I felt like I was staring our futures in the face. Helena keeping James entertained could soon be Lisa or Charice doing the same thing for their children. And having more married people in the mix is already starting to happen (Jason & Debbie soon and a few more couples waiting in the wings). The only thing I don't want to see happen is how overly serious Delta seems (no offense). That's not to say that being serious is bad, but they sometimes seem so uptight and are afraid to sing out with joy and laugh. I hope that in future joint events with them that we as wild and crazy Koinonia (and we ARE wild and crazy) can instill some of that joy and laughter. After all, we are home of the funniest guy I know (Luong), the most creative guy I know (Jason), the most dramatic guy I know (Michael), and the most off-the-wall guy I know (Larry). Ahh, young adulthood ... you gotta love it!
I knew this before, but I was reminded of this tonight. After leading worship with Jimmy Ng for our joint worship time with Delta, I've been reminded just how awesome he is. As Michael would say, he's "a solid guy." He definitely has his priorities straight and that caught my attention.
And sitting there with Delta tonight, I felt like I was staring our futures in the face. Helena keeping James entertained could soon be Lisa or Charice doing the same thing for their children. And having more married people in the mix is already starting to happen (Jason & Debbie soon and a few more couples waiting in the wings). The only thing I don't want to see happen is how overly serious Delta seems (no offense). That's not to say that being serious is bad, but they sometimes seem so uptight and are afraid to sing out with joy and laugh. I hope that in future joint events with them that we as wild and crazy Koinonia (and we ARE wild and crazy) can instill some of that joy and laughter. After all, we are home of the funniest guy I know (Luong), the most creative guy I know (Jason), the most dramatic guy I know (Michael), and the most off-the-wall guy I know (Larry). Ahh, young adulthood ... you gotta love it!
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