For the first time in my life, I decided to pay someone else to do my taxes this year. Little did I know how much work it would end up requiring on my end to prepare everything! As I poured through my bank statements, working backwards from December, it felt as though I was taking a mental stroll down Memory Lane. My last expenses for the year happened in New York City where I was stranded during the holidays due to a jinxed blizzard. Good pizza hunting. Thanksgiving in Memphis with my favorite family. An angry meal at the California Fish Grill with Song. Good golf. Bad golf. Good times with friends. A hefty towing fee on the night I celebrated with girlfriends and met the sweetest one-eyed puppy. 


I only got through one quarter of the year before I decided to stop and reflect. Despite the arduous task of data entry, I actually enjoyed seeing the results of bookkeeping. Why haven't I done this all along? There's so much analysis I could do on myself! Oh what fun! Although, it's a bit daunting to see where the money goes. I could have been so much more responsible. This could be an eye-opening exercise. Let's see...

Now what? How can I possibly add depth to a well-rooted relationship? Why write when we already talk? What is there to share? I guess we'll find out :)


Last night I went to bed with a bit of guilt and bunch of sadness. The guilt had to do with a two minute phone call from mom. The ring pleasantly broke the silence in my little apartment, but I had no desire to tell her how my day was spent. When asked if there was anything new or interesting, I simply replied "no" in a tone that did not invite conversation. I wanted to avoid the most certain chastising that would have ensued from telling her what I told everyone else on Facebook: that I willingly woke up at a ridiculous 4AM to go golfing in the wind and rain because I wanted to get acclimated for the Bandon trip. Yes, I'm still getting over the cold. No, I wasn't dressed warmly enough. No, I didn't bring an umbrella. I know, I know, I know. I felt guilty for snubbing her of my life experiences. -- Mom, we got to tee off with a glow ball because it was still so dark! My friend and I impressed all the men because we chose to carry our bags in what most would consider unplayable conditions! I managed one birdie and a few tough pars! -- None of that would make it through to her. She gently ended the call to attend to more episodes of Planet Earth. Sorry mom :(


Right before I laid down, I saw more images online of devastation from Japan. As I pulled a blanket of sadness over my worn body, my heart sank over what was lost. We really have no idea, do we? None of us. We can imagine it, but we can't truly relate with the suffering. We can't even smell it. Meanwhile, the images of anti-nuclear protesters struck me as disturbing. In a time of such crisis, I don't understand how some people would choose to exert their views and energy to make a political statement. It is not the right time to fuel dissension. The people who've lost their entire livelihoods and loved ones do not care about the voices for or against nuclear power. Despite all the sorrow, loses, fear, and uncertainty, I prayed for God's mercy and presence. I prayed for unity across nations. I prayed for a stark awareness of humanity over the insignificant "buzz" we tend to draw towards. Let us be virally connected via the human spirit.

There are at least two people in my life who might find joy (and pain) in reading my blog. If my parents had one iota of computer literacy, there would be four.


My brother, Rick, forever My Thai, Anh Hai, the greatest guy on Earth (because the rest are from Mars) - here's to you buddy.


My soul sister, Songhoa, sometimes My Song, always my confidant, enabler of who I am and this very blog - cheers to you.