Yesterday was a good day.
It is nice to hear from your friend that things are great. Especially after knowing that they have gone through some struggles.
I have never thought of analyzing my happiness, but yesterday it just hit me that the kind of happiness I’m feeling for him, is very different from those of my own.
Nevertheless, it seems so strong. Just different.
But I love that feeling.

I am confident in saying that I’m usually a happy person.
However, once in a very long while, I just hit the bottom. Sometimes with more apparent reasons, and sometimes not at all.
Yesterday was one of those “how did I get this low” day.
Perhaps it’s stress at work, perhaps it’s school, perhaps it’s the weather, perhaps it’s my allergy. Or perhaps it’s everything combined.
How great could your day be if it started with a million different jobs at work. And ended up with a cup of water pouring over your laptop computer. I’m happy to say that, it appears to be in working order. Thank goodness!

But best of all, I realize how great people around you will try to make you feel better. Even though, when your’e down, you’re down. Nevertheless, knowing that someone’s there for you is a wonderful thing.

I’m glad this morning I woke up with Bruce laying a blanket over me, because I was cold. And his kiss goodbye. My day will definitely be much better than yesterday.

Yet another special birthday. April 20th, my mom’s birthday.
She doesn’t like big celebration. I think I got that from her.
My brother sent her some orchids. I called to wish her “Happy Birthday.” Bruce asked me to convey the same message.
I hope we’ll get to celebrate a very belated birthday, just with the few of us here, when my parents visit the US in July.
Until then, “Happy Birthday!”

Our girl is one year old today. I stilll remember how small she was when Bruce brought her home from the vet approximately ten months ago. Her head was way bigger for her tiny body. She was curious and very sweet. HYPER!! And at the end of her tail, there’s a little kink, like a lightning bolt. Her favorite place was under the bed.

Today, one year old. Her head and her body are almost flipped. Her head seems small for her body. She’s a long cat, but loves to sit with her front and hind legs together. That makes her body look even bigger. She’s still very curious and very sweet. Much calmer. Her ligtning-bolt tail is now even bigger. You can see it clearly in this picture. She still loves sleeping under the bed. And one of her favorite sleeping positions is the one you see in the picture.

Happy Birthday girly-girl, Tache (her nicknames, “Tah-tah-shah koo-look-koo-look,” “Geh-wei-wei,” “Gurluh-gurl” and more)

For the past few weeks, I have been having so much fun with
my new home studio.

I have recently purchased a small mixer. On my birthday I
sort forced everyone around me to get me
things. My brother got me a condenser microphone, Bruce got me a mic stand, and
my cousin bought me pop filter.

I cannot express how much fun I have been having since I
got  my mini studio set up in the
basement. I have recorded a few cover songs, composed and recorded an original
song (no, I?m not sharing.) And definitely will try to compose more original
tunes. One of my closest friends, Henry, who lives in San Francisco, is working
on the lyrics (he?s a great writer.)

I ordered most of my equipment from Zzounds.com.  They sent me the wrong color mic stand. The black one is
arriving today, and the chrome one?s going back to Zzounds. By the way, Zzounds
have great customer service. If you want to buy any audio equipment, I?d highly
recommend them. On top of that, if you are a thorough shopper like me, and if
you find a cheaper price from another site, they will match that price for you.
And many of their items have free shipping. And no, I don?t get commission from
them.

To earn my status of a ?GEEK,? I am on pins and needles,
awaiting my VERY backordered Keystation49e,
a keyboard that my parents and my sister ordered for me. Oh I can?t tell you
how excited I am!

And of course, all these won?t be happening if Apple didn?t
come out with their new hot application, GarageBand!

Oh, I guess I have already earned the title of a ?GEEK? even
before my Keystation49e. Oh well, I?m a geek with pride.

Woohoo!

So, after owning a house, I have miraculously turned into a
plumber of the house. I don’t do major plumbing work. But when it comes to
small little fixes, I have been having great lucks. I seemed to be able to fix
up small plumbing problems for the past year.

We had a plumber over to our house one day (this project is
too big for me), he got one part of the basement sink leakage fixed. But since
then, we’ve been feeling something different about the water pressure.

On Wednesday night, I went downstairs, right before I went
to bed to check on the main valve to see if it has been turned all the way on.

Blurry memory…blurry memory…it’s turned
on…blurry…I better turn off and on again to make sure…blurry…no, don’t wanna
mess with that…the filter on the ice-maker might pop open (that happened
before) and flood the kitchen (exactly what happened)…blurry…I?ll just
leave it alone?blurry?went to bed.

Cut to the next morning.

?We have no water!?

Jumping out of bed, I mumbled to Bruce that I have gone
downstairs last night to check on the 
main valve. But I could have sworn that I didn?t even turn the valve at
all.

I was very certain that I left the valve unturned. But I
went downstairs anyway to check on the valve, it?s turned all the way?oop?to
off. I turned it back on, hearing the water flowing back into the pipe. I
quickly went to the intercom and told Bruce that the water is back. Embarrassed
and confused.

The next thing that came into my head was, ?if this happens
again, the next day, I?m going to be really scared.?

But it didn?t. It was all the midnight plumber?s fault. And
I?m relieved. There?s no ?basement monster.?

On March 31, 2004. I turned 30.
Age has never been a big thing for me. To me it’s just a number. I have always felt younger than my number age is. I am stuck with 24, and I’m going to be that way for a while.
But, this year, for some reason, it’s extra special.
I had so many birthday wishes from all over the world. Friends, siblings, and cousins through phone calls, emails, cards, gifts, and in person.
If turning 30 is always this good, I’m looking forward to my 40.
Thank you everyone for your wishes and gifts. This is definitely one of my BEST birthday.