I had ktula committed to get up on Sunday morning to walk Mango. “Because,” I said, “this is my morning run day.”

As soon as the 2 left the house, I got sucked into The Fairly OddParents, followed by Spongebob Squarepants. While watching my favorite cartoons, I was enjoying my tasty chocolate almond treats from Nielsen Pastries.

The boys joined me after their morning walk. Both took a late morning nap on the floor. It’s being a long while I watch morning cartoons and munching as a way to kick start a day. It was really nice, in a lazy unproductive way.

Moving from West Seattle to lower Queen Anne turned out to be a good thing. We now walk to downtown and we love to take Mango alone. Sculpture Park, Seattle Center, Kerry Park are some of the places we frequently visit. Being able to walk to places gives a great sense liberation. I’m loving the convenience of urban living.

Made some new friends; also lost an old one. No it’s not that, he just left the city and moved on to his next life adventure.

So yeah, it’s being a pretty happening summer. Possibly one of the best summer because we are constantly on the move, out in the sun, making new memories.

As father’s birthday approaching, Betty planned a Sunday lunch for his 80th birthday. It’s not the easiest thing to find present for my dad, whom has everything he needs. 2 days before his birthday lunch, I decided to fly to Taipei to celebrate his birthday with him.

Betty and I kept my trip home a secret. The moment mom and dad saw me, they were puzzled and couldn’t register why I showed up in the living room. Then almost at the same time, mom and dad cheered for my returning home. Mom ran to give me a hug but halfway decided to smack me with pair of socks in her hand. Dad was very surprised and very happy. The house all the sudden came alive. Mom and dad scrambled to make bed for me, even though it was nowhere near bedtime.

Lunch went well, Dad was in high spirits the entire family gathered for his birthday. He talked about his wishes of a strong family bond. Toward the end of the meal, he talked for an hour of his life as a young man in the military. That was pretty awesome. And he kept saying my surprise visit was the best present, he loved it.

Per Dad’s request, we had dinner with Liam at DinTaiFung (鼎泰豐). The dinner ended with the traditional battle for the right to pay for the meal. With decades of practices, Dad claimed victory over Liam. Poor Liam got scolded for not winning the bill.

During my 3-day stay, dad and I bonded around eating and in search of food. We walked to nearby street vendors selling traditional Chinese breakfast. Or swamping travel stories in tiny conveyor belt sushi store.

There were several memorable homemade dishes – dad’s hand-rolled red bean paste wheat buns, mom’s several bamboo dishes, microwave steamed cod (amazingly easy to make and tasty).

Lately I’ve being doing things I’ve not being doing for ages – walking around neighborhood streets with no particular reason, browsing small shops scattered in downtown not really looking for anything, seating in coffee shop for as long as I care to stay… It’s a luxury in life not to think about time or responsibility.

I HATE moving. I wish I could just threw everything away.

I like this shot. Mango gazes into the camera lens. What a peaceful expression on his face even though looking a little dazed from just waking up.

Michael O’Sullivan was my great friend, but I don’t ever remember telling him that.
The words that’s spoken at a funeral… spoken too late for the man whose dead.
It’s a wonderful thing it would be to visit your own funeral.
To seat at the front, and hear what they said.
Maybe say a few things yourself
Mike and I grew old together. The times we laughed, ….
If he was here now, if he could hear what I say, I congratulate him on being a great man.
And thank him for being a friend.

The lines come from the scene of Michael O’Sullivan’s funeral in the movie “Waking Ned Devine”. It always brings tears to my eyes listening to this bit of the movie soundtracks.

So often we forget to tell our loved ones how much we appreciate the fact they are part of our life. Or forgotten what rare and precious bonds we have with someone. Regret is a terrible thing to live with; few get the second chance to set it right.