Yellow Tracing Paper

Monday, February 2, 2009

'press 2'

This has been bugging me for a while...
I have a huge problem with the way this country condone its people not to ever advance if they don’t want to. A perfect example of this is the way we handle the Mexican population. It is not a secret that there are a lot of Mexicans in this country, especially in the SW region. However, I am appalled whenever I see a government document/form that has a Spanish version. This goes for driver’s ed books, USPS forms/signs, W-4 forms, permit applications, and even VOTING applications! Why is there always an option to ‘press 2’ for Spanish?

My family and I worked very hard to move to this country. I remember my mother had to study hard (on her English) for the entrance interview with the US immigration department. She also had to study hard for her driver’s license exam, and as well as her citizenship exam. She had no Chinese version of anything to assist her. And that is how it is supposed to be. When one enters this country, if he/she wants to survive and become an American, learning the language is a MUST! English is not a hard language. What gets me is that there is a Spanish version to the voting ballot…. You have to be a citizen to vote! How can you become a citizen if you can’t even read?! This is nothing against Mexicans/Spanish speaking races at all. It is our government that allows them not to have to adapt. I understand that businesses do it, since they are just trying to appeal to a growing population and make $. But our government doing so is unacceptable. They are using our tax money to do this (extra printing, hiring bi-lingual’s, etc.)! It is also not fare to those (other immigrants) who work hard to speak the language. My mom’s English is still not great. But when she does not understand, she asks or looks it up. I think EVERYONE should have to do the same. The “majority of the minorities” should not get special preference. Why do we do this? Is it because the government recognizes that Mexicans are the driving force for cheap labor and are the backbones of the construction industries. No matter what the reasons are, it is nuts. Alright, getting off my soapbox.

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Wrecked!

Well....I have finally done it. I have totaled a car for the first time. It happened last Thursday night on my way home. Maybe it was fate, maybe I was too tired (worked late)... I rear-ended someone who came to a dead stop on a 60mph highway. Fortunately, the other driver (so happened to be 30 weeks pregnant) and I came out with no injuries. Her SUV had minimal damage but mine folded up a like an oragami. Every person I told that I totaled my car looked shocked, I guess it is because they expect me to have at least a scratch on my face or something. The fact is, my car did not worth much and the $4000 repair bill is much more than it is worth. That is why they labled it totaled. What a way to start a new year huh?

So Tish and I have been car shopping a little bit. At first, we were really leaning towards the new Ford Flex. It seems to be hip, cool, and spacious... once we test drove it, we decided against it. The whole car seems pretencious, the interiors look cheap, and the ride was not good. Tish and I would look like fools who are trying too hard if we were to get one of them. We also test drove the Honda Pilot and Odyssey.... and fell in love with the nerdy mini-van! It drove like a dream and had a all kinds of room/cool features.

I guess that is life after 30 for ya... mini-van and retirement plan! :-)

Monday, January 5, 2009

A dear friend of mine...

A friend of mine that has been there for me ever since I came to this country is still me today. I don't really have a name for him or anything, but he is one cool dude. I remember getting him from Walmart long ago, needing a stand for my new 13" Sony TV. We did not want to spend much, just something functionable. Well, here we are today, after 18 years of service, he is still standing tall. He has been through at least a dozen moves, survived a few hurricanes, watched me graduate twice, suffered a major injury when my college roomates broke its glass door during an "indoor football practice"... and the list goes on. I think he was even the first piece of furniture I have ever put together :-).

Some people have a lucky penny, a sacre bat, a rally hat, a worn out blankie... I have my friend - a good ole TV stand from the early 90's, and I don't know if I will ever part ways with him.

This guy has never had a day off nor complained about a back pain!

"Prize winner of Frisco Texas"

Have you ever seen this movie(based on a true story)? Tish and I saw it a while back and really liked it. Even though it was one of those movies that sorta stress you out since it is so real (not peachy keen). It was about an extraordinary women back in the 50's, doing everything possible to keep her family of 6 a happy one. Her husband had a drinking habit and tended to waste their money away. So she came up a way for her and her kids to be able to afford the basics. She entered and won different contests (popular back then) out of magazines such as Reader Digest. She would win cash and cool prizes that were very useful or could be sold. She did this for years to make ends meet...

Why am I talking about an indy film that is about 3-4 years old? Because something really cool happened to me this Christmas that reminded me of this flick.

You see, Tish and I have been very limited on cash flow in the past or so due to medical issues, pregnancy, losing money on our last house, and etc. If it was not for help from family and friends, I don't even know how we would have made it. Because we wanted to spend as much as we can to give a good Christmas, we even talked about not getting each other gifts. We ended up setting up a budget of $30 instead. Even though it is hard to buy with that amount, Tish and I agree that the gifts usually are more thoughtful that way. Besides, Zander's birth is the best present any of us can ever asked for.

Fast forward to Christmas Eve, when T and I decided to exchange gifts at the hospital. We were both very pleased with what each other did for the $ amount. I got some really cool shirts, a pair of nice slippers that I desperately needed, a large memory card, and other nick nack things. The value of my gifts were definitely over $30... but Tish watched for sales, signed up for and combined store coupons to knock over $20 off. T is quite a bargain shopper I tell ya.

After Grayson opened all of his presents on Christmas day, Tish told me that she had forgot to give me something(s) the night before. Not thinking much of it, I awaited for her return from upstairs. Appeared was a huge santa sack containing 2 big items I have wanted for a while: A 10 piece Cuisuine Art Cookware and a premium Bluetooth earpiece! They value over $200!

Since T does not have an income, I was boggled by how she can get all of this without me finding out...Come to find out (through a very cute story board created by Tish), T had entered a contest/drawing through the Dallas Morning News. She won a XBOX 360, sold it for cash and bought all of these goodies. She did all this while she was 8 months prego! I was almost in tears after knowing all the trouble she had gone through to give me a good Christmas. She said the reason for it was that I never buy anything for myself... how nice huh!?

I am truly blessed. I am blessed with a amazing wife, a dear friend, a wonderful mother, and a "Prize Winner of Frisco, Texas"!

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Hospital in the new era

Since we were not that very impressed with the last hospital we gave birth in, we decided to choose the hospital first and then the OB for our second child. Living in Frisco, we had mainly 3 choices: Presby Plano, Baylor Medical center of Frisco, and Centenial. They all of their perks, but Baylor Frisco REALLY stood out to us. We have heard great things from physicians about it. And we were ever so impressed by the helpful "concierge" they have working there full-time. She is always ethusiastic and answered all of our questions. She was also responsible for introducing us to our wonder OB - Dr. Welborne.

During our nine months of pregnancy, we kept hearing about a celebration dinner that consists of steak and lobster for the new parents. Come to find out, that was probably my least favorite part of the hospital. However, just about everything else exceeded our expectations.

Staying/recovering at Baylor Frisco was absolutely great. As great as a hospital stay can ever get. From the friendly/knowledgible staff to the beautiful facilty (though not my style), I found myself wanting to stay longer at times... :-) Because we are cool, we were upgraded to a suite for free (I was told). It had 2 flat screen LCD TV's, a sleeper sofa, great decor, spacious bathroom, and even a webcam for us to get in touch with people over the net! It is amazing how much hospitals are like hotels nowadays. Other than seeing the medical equipment, I barely feel like I was in a medical facility. The word "HOSPITALity" now applies.

Being an architect, I paid attention to everyone of these architectural details. I have always told myself I would stay away from medical architecture. I have always thought that those buildings are boring and ugly. Well my feelings has changed. Most medical clients have very deep pockets and are very focused on building a good building. The fact that they study hotels as precdents for hospitals intrigue me. Hopefully I will get to design in the near future.

Friday, January 2, 2009

Reflection on New Year's Eve

For years I have looked at New Year's Eve as one of the most important night of the year. Therefore I have always looked for the perfect way to spend it.

I have counted down at a bar, at a friend's party, at a hotel in LA, downtown New Orleans, at a restarurant, at an overnight getaway with my wife, by myself with Dick Clark, at the fraternity house... the list goes on and on... however through 30+ years of "celebrating", most of those nights are hardly memorable/meaningful.

Two nights ago (New Years Eve), I watched TV while waiting for Zander's next feeding. As usual, Time Square was packed. People were chanting, dancing, kissing, having a time of their lives. I, on the other hand, didn't even remember that it was New Year's Ev until a few days before. I did not think about what I was going to do for the countdown.

11:45pm came around. It was Z's time for a bottle. Midnight approached while I was feeding him. As I watched the people at Victory Park (downtown Dallas) on TV screaming "10,9,8,7...3,2,1", I realized I am spending "the countdown" exactly how I wanted to... peacefully with my family. I looked into our baby boy's eyes and wished him a happy new year for the very first time. I then turned to my sleeping wife and whispered the same, followed with a kiss. Grayson was asleep in his room as year 2009 creeped in.

How I spent New Year's Eve this year was unplanned, but oh so perfect.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Signs of Christmas

Even though we are extremely busy with Grayson daily while trying to prepare for Zander's arrival, there is different feel around the house.

This Christmas will be a special one for us. 1. It is our first Christmas at the new house; 2. The arrival of Zander just a few days before Christmas(we will most like come home ON Christmas!).
Without spending a lot of money this year (obvious reasons), we really tried to make our house a festive place. Here are the "signs of Christmas" at the Tse household.