Road Trip

I recently drove up to San Jose for my Dad's birthday. I must be getting old because I hate wasting time in the car driving or maybe it's because my car has no stereo and my exhaust is incredibly loud. I normally enjoy my time driving up north because it gives me time to think, but I noticed this time I would just zone out and nothing creative came to mind. I was hoping to figure some things out...like where my life is going...or what would I do with my life if I am not able to be an actor or director...just being able to answer questions in my life...whatever those may be...I would have been happy if I was just able to figure out what I wanted to get people for Christmas...but alas...I just pretty much zoned out.

I arrived at my parents house around 3am and just crashed. I woke up and hung out with my parents and discussed about how my parents' relationship with each other formed my map of intimacy with my children and wife. I could go into more detail, but I think then this blog would turn more into a long article about the differences of Asian and American spousal relationships. Basically we talked about how I was a pretty good boyfriend and pretty good at the courting of a woman because I had learned these things from American TV and films. When it came to marriage though I was influenced by my parents relationship more. For the sake of respect to my parents and this being the World Wide Web...I'll just say marriage is more about commitment than "love". Anyways, enough of that.


Later that evening after hanging out with my parents I went over to my friend Tony's house to hang out. I am 33 years old, but I can still stay up till 3am with my homie playing video games and have a great time. Especially, if one is playing boxing...let the smack talking begin. Tony was my best man at my wedding. I'm lucky to have his friendship for so long. I actually wanted to go out because I don't really get to go out with him anymore because we live so far apart and this was the first time in a long time that I was back in the Bay with no wife and kids. But he wanted to stay home and play X-Box 360...I figured...oh well...it's about hanging with my boy and if he wants to play video games...well then...video games it is. I had a blast, but I got my ass handed down to me on a platter. I am not so video game savvy anymore. It's good to know that I have friends that keep me grounded and allow me to be completely retarded.


The next day I went over to my other friend's house to see his new house, son, and pregnant wife. He has really done well for himself and I'm really proud of the man he has become. James was also a grooms man at my wedding. I have known this guy since freshman year in high school. We were even roomies at UCSB for a year. He's kooky, but a great guy.

This is his boy Kai. He is darn good looking and a very photogenic child. For those of you who are wondering if he is mixed...he is half Chinese and half White. He's just a very happy kid...unless it's time for a nap. I'm really happy for my friend James...he has a loving wife, great kid, great home, great job, dog, and is soon to have another child. He's really made the best out of what life has to offer. I wish him nothing but more happiness and prosperity. Unfortunately, I was only able to hang out for about 2 hours. Poor planning and time management on my account.

I left his house and headed towards my sister's house. This was exciting too because this was the first time I would be visiting my younger sister and brother in law's house. They were married this past year. My brother in law had purchased this home when he was single and it is really cool and unique. A lot of personal detail done by the prior owner. For example, a lion's head is the spout to the bathtub. The interior detail is very medieval. The backyard is very quaint as well. The home being on the hills of San Francisco...the view is wonderful too. Later on I took out my sister and her husband, Mom, and Dad out to dinner for my Dad's belated birthday. We had a great meal together. Though a part of my could not fully enjoy the meal because my wife and children were not there. I feel guilty when I have a good meal without my wife and children to enjoy it as well. I tried my best to eat on their behalf. Afterwards, we went to get ice cream together and I thought of my son Justin and Nancy again. They love ice cream. After that we went back to my sister's place and watched her wedding banquet in Vancouver. There is one moment or picture that completely touched my heart and spirit. They had to play this game where my sister had to find my brother in law Albert...and however long it took her to find him she had to kiss him later for that same time period. Well, when she was kissing him she put up her hand to cover their faces, but someone had taken a photo from the other side and you could see these two people...my sister and Albert...smiling with there lips together and truly in love. I have to be honest...I choked up a little and wanted to tear up. My baby sister was all grown up and she had found the man of her dreams...she found love. I wish I had a copy of that photo to share with everybody. It was a true Kodak moment. I am really happy for my sister. Albert is good man. I am proud to have him as my brother in law.

My parents and I left later that evening and I chatted with my Mom about stuff at home for a little bit and then went to bed. I was pretty pooped from the busy weekend. One of the main reasons I came home was not only to take my Dad and family out for his birthday, but was to spend some quality time with the people I love. Especially, I wanted to make the effort to drive up and spend time with my parents. I have come to realize that time moves forward and moves fast. It took me awhile to sense the undulations of time. Mentally and spiritually I still feel young, but the markers around my life remind me that I am getting older. I can really tell now that my parents have aged and a part of me is really scared. I have always taken for granted that my parents were going to be around me...I really don't know what I would do if God decided to take them to heaven. I guess it took me my whole trip to realize things...whatever those might be...and I shouldn't stress about zoning out while driving, but I should stress if I zone out on the road of life. Enjoy the essence of life to it's very last drop.