Dream Giver

Mr. King 金念祖

2011-11-30T21:37:00.001-08:00

Mr. King was born in 1909 and he lost his left arm when he was 35 years old. He managed to live a full live using only one arm. He was a diplomat and was stationed in Afganistan, Macau, Indonesia and Vietnam during some volitle time period starting around WWII. He loved playing sports and swimming as a youngster. After he lost his left arm, he biked using one arm and walked fast as transportation and exercise. He married his wife according to his parents' wishes and the couple stayed together for 75 years until she died 3 years ago. They had 1 son and 6 daughters. Now he lives in a nursing home and still walkes around with one cane. He goes to the bathroom and dresses himself every day. He worked as an English teacher and newspaper editor in Indonesia and he really enjoyed being a teacher. He is a very disciplined man. He doesn't eat much for dinner. He said when he was a diplomat, he used to eat a small bowl of rice congee before he went to any dinner party so that he would not eat too much at the feast. Now his favorite food is warm Chinese soup. He used to read Chinese newspaper every day and clipped many articles on diplomacy and war strategies to keep in his scrapbooks. He gave up most of his scrapbooks when he moved into the nursing home. He has 12 grandchildren and 8 great great children. However, his brothers, sisters, colleagues, friends, students and even one of his daughter all passed away. Of course, his wife's passing has the most impact on him. That's the story I wrote for the newspaper today. I wonder if he ever keeps a diary.

A Lucky Find

2011-10-15T20:48:00.000-07:00

Before ordering from Amazon I found Julius Caesar at El Toro library bookstore.

This is not just any second-hand book. According to the stamps on the book, this is a book from Del Cerro School GATE program. I paid $1 for it.

This one is a parallel text edition which I like personally.

A search on Amazon shows even a brand new one cost less than $3.

I still considered this book a lucky find: there's a very personal link here.

Kindergarden time

2011-10-11T10:12:00.000-07:00

Wow, time flies fast. This is a picture taken at Del Cerro. I used to volunteer in the classroom. Looking at many relics of elemantary school still around my house, I must have enjoyed all those cutting, folding, gluing, counting and reading-aloud.

Lovely Eggheads

2011-08-22T20:57:00.000-07:00

I like these sculptures on UC Davis campus. The first one is Bookhead, placed near the library. The second one is Eye on Mrak. The third one is See no evil/hear no evil near the law school. There are two more sculptures in this series: Yin and Yan, Stargazer. These sculptures are playful and eye-catching. They are made by former UC Davis professor Robert Arneson. A reproduction of Yin and Yan was placed in San Freancisco. When I first saw the Yin and Yan sculpture, I was intrigued, but not necessarily impressed. Later, I saw more and started to like them. They really enhance the landscape and give the campus a distinct character. Here's another picture to show the scale of the sculpture:

Let's eat @ OC Fair

2011-07-31T08:12:00.000-07:00

Chopsticks become mainstream.

Romantic table for two.

Theater night dinner.

Birthday Party for Dorathy?

Cake decorated for your eyes only.

A perfect cake for Forth of July.

My mouth is watering.

Only in Southern California.

Let's have some real food.

Renegade Craft Fair

2011-07-17T18:24:00.000-07:00

Handmade bags from recycled materials and unusual fabric.

A giant yarn ball at the Urban Craft Center booth.

I like the quilted tent cover of Urban Craft Center.

Watch yarn spinning from wool and amaze at the felted bacon, egg and toast.

So many talented artists desplay their works in prints, cards, buttons, magnets and T-shirts.

A wood workshop inside this bus.

Chinatown metro station stands out in the downtown landscape.

Paper sculpture

2011-07-05T18:52:00.000-07:00

Creative paper sculpture seen at Tiffany's window on Rodeo Drive. Using watercolor on paper gives a casual effect.

American Robin

2011-05-20T10:57:00.000-07:00

I spied an American Robin this morning when I was walking on the treadmill.
It's short and stout with brick red round belly and tiny orange beak.
The head is black and back is dark grey.
This robin would no doubt be considered obese with such a full belly.
It sits on top of a tree branch outside the fitness center window and grooms its feather leisurely.

Then it suddenly dives down fast from the branch for some delicious bugs or worms.

In and out

2011-03-14T11:18:00.000-07:00

Secret dream

2011-03-14T09:02:00.000-07:00

I was going through all the postcards I received over the years. This one is a delight. It's from Debra Prewitt in Colorado.

Praying

2011-01-31T12:04:00.000-08:00

Yard work

2011-01-19T13:06:00.000-08:00

I moved this Aeonium Cyclops from a pot to a sunny spot in the backyard.

This is one of the most low-maintenance plants in my yard.

I planted some of the broken branches in other pots.

While I was working in the yard, I found the jade plant blooming.

First time in 20 years.

No wonder Chinese consider this a sign of good luck.

Most of the plants in our yard survive on their own.

Some are considered weeds or wild plants.

Others bring surprise harvest for us.

Happy New Year

2011-01-02T10:33:00.000-08:00

Year end is the time when I organized a year worth of pictures.

This time I fixed a couple picture online at Picnix

In the middle of this post, Acer laptop crashed.

These are photos from the 2010 holiday concert.

2010-12-01T13:34:00.000-08:00

My cozy little world was shaken up a bit this morning. I went to my annual eye exam and found the office locked and a middle-aged lady knocking on the door loudly and repeatedly saying she's supposed to pick up her glasses.
After calling the office and learn that they've moved to a near-by location, I spent the morning there getting my usual eye check-up. This tiny event did get me thinking about the possibility of Dr. Chia's retiring. Also a lot of the small stuffs in life we took for granted. At my age now, I definitely do not like change. I expect to go to the same doctor every year and hear that my condition is as good as last year. Not much changed is actually the best. Well, Dr. Chia didn't disappoint me. She didn't like the move either but she has to do it because her son the younger Dr. Chia would like to have a bigger office and update the office equipments.
She gave me 2 pairs of contact lenses to try, just like a good old fashion doctor would do for a long time patient ; ) She mentioned nowadays contact lenses can be worn for 1 year straight, but she wore daily type for about a week.

Cookie Scarf

2010-11-30T20:43:00.000-08:00

Finally finish this cookie scarf: 16 cookies sewn together.
I used Venna's Choice Honey and Bernat Softee Chunky Topaz together for most of the cookies. Size I hook. Pink, mint and cream frosting is from Redheart Soft. Size E hook. Swirl frosting is from Michael's Loops & Treads Country Loom Warm Cream. Oatmeat cookie frosting is from Redheart Soft using size G hook. Found the pom-poms at Michael's. The scarf is thick and heavy, but it just make me happy looking at it.

Postcrossing

2010-11-21T07:48:00.000-08:00

This postcard is going to Nataly in Mosco, Russia.

This one is going to Tanja in Valay, France.

This one is going to Pinuo in Taipei, Taiwan.

Carved Pumpkins

2010-10-18T10:39:00.000-07:00

Our collections of carved pumpkins just grew by 2. The haunted house and bat are carved by Carl and Carol.

Manhole lift (rotated)

2010-09-26T02:45:00.000-07:00

Pastor Liao

2010-09-08T17:02:00.000-07:00

Pastor Liao and his wife visited my mom on the first day after she received chemotherapy. Pastor Liao just retired this year. He still teaches and travels.

lacy scarve

2010-09-02T17:58:00.000-07:00

This is the lacy scarve I've been working on and off.

The pattern is from a crochet book I purchased in Taiwan.

I've used 3 balls of wool blend yarn from Switzerland.

According to the label, the "Astra" yarn is 80% Schurwolle and 20% Polyamid.

Each ball weights 50g and is approximately 100 meters long.

The yarn can be handwashed and ironed.

I found about 10 balls of this pink yarn and a half-finished sweater at my mom's second floor workroom in Taichung. That workroom is primarily a sewing room with a lot of old fabric, threads, zippers, bottons etc. Further investigation reveals that the sweater was my sister's handwork. The sweater has a few small holes, possibly by some bugs. With my sister's permit, I start using the leftover yarns for this scarve. I want to crochet something quick and easy when I'm chatting with my mom at home or hospital. She sometimes laments how tedious to crochet fabric. Sometimes she suggests that I should crochet a vest. She said it's easy if you know how to make a pattern. She still thinks like a tailor.

Survivor of 1935 earthquake

2010-08-25T14:44:00.000-07:00

On April 21, 1935, a 7.1 earthquake shook central Taiwan around 6:02 am.

A baby girl barely one year old was sleeping inside a bamboo basinet on the second floor of a house built with fine wood.

The basinet fell into an open drain and was toppled with piles of wood from the fallen building which killed one unlucky neighbor. However all residents of that house was able to escape to safty when they started to look for the baby. Following weak crying through the cracks, they lifted debris to find the baby with the help of a strong neighbor whose work was transporting carriages. The man of the house was not at home that morning as he went to a nearby town for a festival. They were relieved to see the baby alive with a big bump on the left side of her head.

This survivor of earthquake is my mom. I found a picture of the town she lived right after that disaster.

Miramar Mall

2010-08-23T03:40:00.000-07:00

I took the metro train to Miramar Entertainment Park (mall) in Taipei. I have to change train at Taipei railrod station and then change again for the small train of Wen-hu line. This is the new line that goes between Nei-hu and Taipei Zoo. I rode this new route for the first time. The train goes through a tunnel and passes by Taipei Song-san Airport. The view of the airport is spectacular. A helicopter was landing right when we got there. After this outing I rode the free shuttle offered by Miramar mall back to Chien-tan metro station.

In the front of the mall is TGIFriday. Inside the mall, a long line of people wait in front of the Cold Stone counter. The line is even longer than the line in front of 85'C Irvine store, as it's Sunday and the mall is packed. There's also an Imax movie theater in the mall.

Blogger issues

2010-08-20T15:54:00.000-07:00

Even though I started using blogger more than a year ago, I can't post as I'd like to. It's very hard to move text and picture around. Is it only me?

That explains why some of my pictures are out of order and why I can only post short entries. I'm considering starting another blog somewhere else.

Roast Duck

2010-08-20T15:23:00.000-07:00

Rosat duck is one of the food you must have in Taiwan.

It's almost impossible to make at home. All the roast duck stores here sell only roast ducks because it's so time consuming. We have sliced duck meat for wrapping and also a stir-fried dish. Both are delicious.

New School Year

2010-08-20T15:11:00.000-07:00

Nothing represents the beginning of a new school year like a new backpack.

This cute bunny backpack is discovered in the traditional market, next to live chicken, fish, fresh flowers, vegetables and cooked food. It costs about $6.

Capricciosa

2010-08-18T01:10:00.000-07:00

We went to an Italian restaurant for lunch. The food is modified for Japanese and Taiwanese flavor. We had pizza with salmon and squid. Pasta with pesto sauce and pasta with tomato/garlic sauce. The special sauce make the pasta delicious. We also had salad and appetizer (chicken roll and fried squid ring). When everyone is full, the waitress brought desert which I had to skip.

Grandma's new look

2010-08-17T16:39:00.000-07:00

Grandma got a new haircut today at the hair salon in the hospital.

Give Away

2010-08-16T20:35:00.000-07:00

I'm giving away these 3 prizes for whoever leave a comment and claim the prize first. One prize per person.

Morning walk in the park

2010-08-16T16:56:00.000-07:00

This water fountain is being repaired again.

Went for a walk in the park with my mom. Around 5:30 in the morning it is 30 degree C. There're not as many people in this park. The temperature quickly climbs to 33 degree in an hour.

Mail art collections

2010-08-15T19:05:00.000-07:00

Taiwanese children's book illustrator Chen Ming-Chin corresponded with children's books illustrators all over the world. Even though they speak different languages, their mail art communicate across culture. I really enjoy looking at these mail art created by professional illustators, especially in this era of electronic communication.

crochet kitchen helper

2010-08-15T18:57:00.000-07:00

It took me less than an hour to finish this using organic cotten. This can be used in the kitchen to wash dishes or as a hot pad.
This is the first crochet project I started during this trip. I don't want to be too ambitious.

2010-08-14T04:06:00.000-07:00

First week in Taiwan: color leads for automatic pencil, mechanical pencils, pens, eraser, glue sticks, pencil pouch and a bag.

Whiting Ranch

2010-07-20T21:34:00.001-07:00

We hiked Whiting Ranch and enjoyed the sights on one of the trails.

2010-05-13T16:14:00.000-07:00

Today's blog is dedicated to Gizmo.......

Gizmo likes to sit in front of the TV while we're watching TV.

He also sits on the newspaper when anyone happens to read it.

He walks onto the keyboard once the laptop is open.

Lately he even sits on our kitchen table when there's good food.

He enjoys the company of people. He jumps on my lap when I settle down on the sofa.

When we took a trip to Taiwan during summer, his days must have been pretty empty.

He nagged unstopped almost 3 days after we got back from extended summer vacation.

He laughs out loud when he observes a bird on the tree or fence wall.

He is timid by nature. Once a grocery paper bag got on his neck, he ran through the house as though a monster is pursuiting right behind.

Gizmo has been a good company for 5 years. It's finally time to say good-bye.

Vegetable Garden

2010-04-22T08:37:00.000-07:00

I found this vegetable garden while walking around Heritage Park.

It inspired me to plant my own tomato and watermelon plnat.

Tea Devil Egg

2010-01-09T18:18:00.000-08:00

I managed to take picture of these devil eggs before they are all gone!

The one in the front is made with tea egg and these tea devil eggs taste devine.

I used eggs, patato, mayonaise, salt and pepper, red bell pepper. The red bell pepper clogged the tip of my pastry tube. That's why these eggs looks not so party-perfect.

I used only half of the egg yolk to mix with mashed potato.

Here's the tea egg recipe:

http://www.eatingchina.com/recipes/tea-egg.htm

The egg white of tea egg are flavorful and the brown color with marbled egg crack lines are totally wicked.

Single crochet daisy

2010-01-01T19:25:00.000-08:00

This stitch makes a fairly tight fabric with a little lacy look.
Maybe a stiped scarve or neck warmer.

Popcorn stitch pouch

2009-12-10T17:29:00.000-08:00

This is the first time I've crocheted so many popcorn stitches in one project. I found out that there are different ways to crochet popcorn (or bubble) stitches. I use the following method:
In the same stitch, *yarn over, insert hook into stitch and draw up a loop. Yarn over and draw through 2 loops on hook,*repeat from * to * 5 times. Then yarn over and draw through all 6 loops on hook.

Popcorn stitches and the ruffle gave the pouch a romantic look. It was sent to my partner for a swap.

Flat split Jane

2009-10-26T11:01:00.000-07:00

"Look at my flat split!!"

"Who says it's not square??"

beach dude

2009-09-08T01:37:00.000-07:00

We found a small craft store while walking around Taichung train station one August afternoon. We realized the store's deeper and had more stuffs than we originally thought. Carl Jr. and Carol came to me with some amazing amigurumi kits they dug out around one corner. The kit included crochet pattern, yarn, and some felt to finish it. The only tool you need to get is a crochet hook. Carl was so inspired that he said he'd crochet Patrick star himself. I had to persuade him to let me do it. I'm very happy with the result and got more yarn in Chia-yi. I like Patrick's blissful and innocent expression.

yarn-collage scarf

2009-07-26T15:47:00.000-07:00

Making the yarn ball is half of the fun for this project. I cut the yarn from my collection of yarns and tie them together randomly. The result makes me so happy.
Then I crochet the scarf using double crochet with a single crochet frame around.

Carebear

2009-02-22T09:49:00.001-08:00

The fresh color of light yellow frosting is what I was looking for when I went to the store.
I got Red Heart Supersaver and I'll never make the same mistake again.
The color is right, but the yarn is too stiff and fuzzy. It's a pain to crochet with.
A very important lesson well-learned.
But I am not grumpy when I finish Carebear this morning. She is so cute and amazingly cheerful even though part of her comes from Red Heart Supersaver!

Spanish national sychro team commercial

2009-01-08T10:11:00.000-08:00

Watched this commercial. Synchro is even more beautiful in slow motion.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdD8dOSvvbA

And the making of this commercial is worth to watch too.

carved stamps

2009-01-08T10:04:00.000-08:00

Carving stamps is fun. It's also fairly easy to start: an eraser and a small enough craft knife. Of course, a stamp pad and maybe a blank journal for recording your creation.

Amigurumi bear

2008-12-31T22:58:00.000-08:00

Amigurumi projects take a long time for me to finish, but the work is all worthwhile.

Daffodil bag

2008-12-31T22:54:00.000-08:00

2 daffodil bags made for swapbot.

Amigurumi Mr. Cat

2008-12-29T12:30:00.000-08:00

Pattern for Mr. Cat http://www5a.biglobe.ne.jp/~mite/

The web page is in Japanese, but patterns for cat, bear and panda amigurumi have English version. I like the pattern as it's clear and accurate.

Bird egg

2008-05-05T10:25:00.000-07:00

We found a blue speckled egg on top of the ficus tree on May 1.

My daughter confirmed that the hen's in the nest on May 3.

mermaid felt

2008-04-10T13:32:00.000-07:00

Surfing the net

2008-04-09T10:31:00.000-07:00

I watched "Bill May as Ben Franklin" on aol video and was impressed by his performance. This is the right direction for synchro swimmers to explore: mixing the sports with more show biz.

Also found http://www.synchromovie.com/ for the indie film "sync or swim".