MercyCorps

I read some stories about fraud and corruptions about some Chinese Red Cross officials while handling earthquake relief. This was heartbreaking. In one instance, one Red Cross official tried to get a 50,000RMB receipt for a 10,000 RMB purchase. In another instance, a relief tent showed up in downtown Chungking, cause a near street riot.

I lost faith in the Chinese relief organizations completely. I thought long and hard on whether I should still make the donation. At the end, I still decide to find a reputable charity to contribute. There is so much misery there; I cannot risk not trying just because some corrupt Red Cross people. A colleague at work recommend MercyCorps. So I rushed and made the biggest one time donation that I ever made.

Better use of the Tax Rebate

We received the Bush tax rebate over the weekend. While I completely oppose this rebate gimmick from Bush, I cannot say no to the money.

Our plan was to pay down some debt we owed to a relative in China. We have a change of plan now. We'll send more than half of the rebate to the China earthquake relief fund from American Red Cross. This is an easy call for us. When I mentioned the idea to Yang, her question was how we could send the check.

Hopefully our contribution will make a difference. It will take them a long time to rebuild. I can see hope based on the news reports.

Big Helper

Big Helper Victor is four and half years old but he was always eager to help out on chores. So far Yang and I are not encouraging him too much. This afternoon I went to our backyard to pick some board beans. I wanted to cook some board beans as a dish for dinner. Victor was watching TV. But he went out and told me that he wanted to him. "Sure. Can you help me to take the beans out of the pods?" I asked. For the next twenty minutes, Victor squirted in the backyard and opened the pods and picked out the beans. For the first time in his life, he is helping me in a substantial way and actually completed the task. I was so proud of him. I could see him growing up to be a big helper in our family.

Another Run for the Florida Marlins?

Another Run for the Florida Marlins?
The Florida Marlins is at first place of Major League Baseball. They have a record of 23-14 and are slight ahead of Arizona and Boston. This is amazing. They have the lower payroll in baseball. In fact, their total payroll is lower than the salary of New York Yankee's ARod.

I followed Marlins all these years. It was fun to watch them. I remembered the exciting 1997 and 2003. Especially 2003, when they beat the Giants, Cubs and Yankees to win it all. I brought the 2003 Marlins World Championship DVD. This is the only sports DVD that I own.

So do they have the talent for another run? I don't know. But if they play the way that they played for the last week, they will be unbeatable.

Busy Weekend

Busy Weekend

It was a busy weekend.

Yang and I took care of many chores. Yesterday we took her old car to Prof Smog for a second smog test. This time we passed. I worked in the front yard to cut the weed and landscape so we could compile with the HOA rules. We brought some white paint.

This morning I painted the front yard fence. It took me about two hours and was very tiring. But we did it. Now we just have to ask our HOA to close all three pending cases. What a pain!

Aggressive HOA

We received three letters from our HOA yesterday. All required us to correct something in our front yard:

- It has come to our attention that there are weeds under your front fence next to the sidewalk. please ensure that these are removed by Thursday May 22, 2008.
- It has come to our attention that the landscaping under your front fence is overgrown. please ensure that these are removed by Thursday May 22, 2008.
- Paint your front fence.

I have been relying on our HOA to remind me to do the minimal yard work. So far I don't have much complain. Other home owners frequently complain about HOA being too aggressive. It looks like I will have a busy weekend.

Oliver the Vampire

Tonight after diner, Yang was scooping out some ice cream for Victor and Oliver. For no obvious reason, Oliver bit Yang on the leg, very hard. The skin on the leg was penetrated and some blood was out. Oliver got a spanking. Victor, showing his caring side, went upstairs and brought Yang some bandage. We forgave Oliver at the end and he nodded to agree not to bite again. Still, we didn't know what prompted him to bite that hard.

Does China need Bush's Tax Rebate

I look forward to the $1800 tax rebate promised by the US government next month. (I have two kids so am qualified for $1800.) When I get the rebate check, I won't rush out to Walmart to spend it, sorry George W. Instead, I need to send the money to China to pay off a personal loan. A rich relative in China lent some money to Yang and me so we could buy a property in Shanghai.

The tax rebate will simulate the economy, the Chinese economy. Ironically the Chinese economy is growing too fast and requires some cooling.

Actually, I won't be too different from an average American. The stuffs that we buy from Walmart are made in China, and the rebate money will be sent to China one way or the other. It's faster and more direct in my case.

MDX vs. Altima Hybrid

We need a new car. Yang's current car, 93 Infiniti G20, is reaching the end of life. It's drivable but we are not sure how long it will last. We sinked in a couple thousand dollars a year for maintainance. We almost brought a new car in 2004, but decided not to at the last minute. Four years later, we really need one, but what kind?

I drive a used 03 Acura TL and like it. Our first choice is a used Acura MDX. It seats 7 people and will be useful when the extended family go out together. For the last few weeks I have been doing some window shopping. The local Acura dealers has some used Acura MDX's but none of them offered me a good price. Yang and I also tested the latest MDX. Great car but too expensive for us.

Last Saturday (4/26) I visited Nissan dealer. They had the new 08 Nissan Altima Hybrid on display. After a quick test drive, I just brought it. I called Yang and she didn't even bother to come for a test drive. I brought a base model with no options, and the price is slightly below the official invoice price. Next April I should be able to get a hybrid car rebate from the US government. So overall it's good buy, and I didn't have any stress throughout this process.

The car looks slick from outside. I didn't pay much attention of the interior. When Yang went to pick up the car, she wasn't happy to see the dark interior. It's too late. She would have to get use to it. After a few days, Yang gets use to it already. It sure gets good MPG. For now we are keep the G20 and will rotate the cars for our commute.

How to Obliterate Iran

How to Obliterate a Country

Last week Senator Clinton made the following comments

"I want the Iranians to know that if I'm the president, we will attack Iran," Clinton said. "In the next 10 years, during which they might foolishly consider launching an attack on Israel, we would be able to totally obliterate them."

Senator Clinton should be locked up in a mental hospital instead of being allow to run for president. I feel safer with Dick Cheney as the President than Senator Clinton.

According to the Webster dictionary, obliterate means

• a: to remove utterly from recognition or memory
• b: to remove from existence : destroy utterly all trace, indication, or significance of
• c: to cause to disappear (as a bodily part or a scar) or collapse (as a duct conveying body fluid) :

Senator Clinton meant a or b in her comments. As if this was not enough, she added a redundant totally before the verb obliterate.

I have many questions for Senator Clinton on this:

1. What's detailed plan to obliterate Iran?
2. How many people are you willing to kill in the process?
3. What weapons do you plan to use?
4. How this would make American safer?
5. Did you ask the people in Israel if this is their preferred plan?

Iran is one of the oldest country in the world with more than 5000 years rich history. It has roughly 70 million people. There are about six cities with more than 1 million residents: Tehran, Mashhad , Isfahan ,Karaj , Tabriz and Shiraz , etc. To obliterate Iran, these cities would need to be destoried. Senator Clinton, what will the order of obliteration of these cities? There are many Christans and Jews living in Tehran, do you have any plan to spare them?

I assume that she plan to nuclear weapons because I really don't know any other ways. It's time for the voters her to send her packing. This is a more pleasant outcome for Senator Clinton than facing trial in a war crime court.

New Addition?

New Addition?

Yang found out that she is pregnant this week. This is unexpected for both of us. Victor is four and half years old; Oliver is close to three year old. Yang and I are used to having two kids and our various routines now. We are cruising now, but our life will change soon.

I want a girl. Two boys and one girl will make our household gender balanced. But the sex is already decided and we'll just have to wait and see.

We'll spoil the little one. Hopefully Victor and Oliver won't be too jealous and they can be good brother to the little one.

Three children make a perfect sized family. The parents should be able to handle one more kids than the total number of adults. When there are three kids, they can form more combinations of ways to entertain one another. Victor can probably baby-sit the youngest. There may be the days that Yang and I will have to give up and let three of them rule the family. So three is perfect.

A Visit to the Dentist

Oliver has been back since Monday. Our house became busy. Victor and Oliver play together, watch kids TV show together, and flight with each other over toys and some objects. They do get alone and they talk to each other. Oliver doesn't speak English. But somehow they can understand each other most of the times. Both of them went to the dentist this morning. Victor doesn't have any cavity. The dentist wanted us to reach the molars when brushing. Oliver wasn't so lucky. Two teeth were colliding and there was a small hole on one tooth. He needed to have the hole filled soon. They got two balloons from the dentist.

American Mom

My Mom took the US citizenship interview this morning. She passed the interview in about 10 minutes. All her study and practice in the last month paid off. I am glad I helped her too.

Now I have an American mom, a wife and two kids. I guess I should follow their footsteps.

Beautiful kidneys

I paid my annul visit to the radiologist yesterday. This was not usually a pleasant experience. The exam required fasting: I could not eat or drink past midnight. In the morning I had to drive for about one hour in rush hour traffic to get there, and then waited in the lobby to sign in.

I met a nice technician who did my checkup. She looked like the ultrasound technician from the movie Juno. She was very talkative and encouraging. The whole exam lasted fifteen minutes.

“I'm not suppose to tell you but everything looks fine.” She told me. By rule, technicians would just pass the results to my doctor and let her interpret the results.

“You have beautiful kidneys,” She continued. This was a sentence that I had never heard in my life.

“Thank you.” I didn't know how to react.

“You have good genes," she said. "This is my first exam today. It's good to see healthy organs. You made my day.”

After the exam she asked if I needed any water. I'd never met a medical professional who is so personal. She consulted with a radiologist then showed me out. “Have a good year!”

She certainly made my day and I hoped that she can do my exam again next year. We can all make a difference in this world. She was definitely practicing this.

I need to call my parents to thank them.

Bill Richardson is in debt, still begging for money

But don't ask Wen Ho. May be he can ask Obama to bail him out?

---

Date: Tue, 8 Apr 2008 17:36:26 -0400
To: xxxxxxxxxxxx
From: info@richardsonforpresident.com
Subject: One Last Request

	Dear Wen Ho, Millions of people have turned out in record numbers during our Democratic presidential process. What it shows me is how energized our Party is and how strong our desire is to take back the White House after eight years of Bush administration arrogance, incompetence, and recklessness. And while Governor Richardson left the field some three months ago, the debts we incurred in working to get his message out have not. Thanks to our many supporters, we have begun to whittle that number down but there is much more to do--and I'm hoping you will help us finally retire it all with one last contribution. We changed this race in important ways that will truly make a difference to our country. Now, both Democratic candidates are committed to ending the war in Iraq and getting all of our troops out. Now, both Democratic candidates are committed to charting a new energy future for America. And now, both Democratic candidates are committed to a foreign policy based on diplomacy and respect for international human rights. The goal of all of us who worked so hard on the Governor's campaign now is to ensure a Democrat gets elected in the fall and to make sure that Democrats control our national agenda starting next year. But please, as one last gesture to Bill Richardson's extraordinary leadership in our democratic process, help us close our books and live up to our obligations by making one last contribution to retire his campaign debt. Thank you so much for everything you've done to help. Sincerely, Dave P.S. A number of our friends in the Democratic Party have asked to reach out to you via email to enlist your help on behalf of other like-minded candidates and causes. If you would rather not receive any messages from them, you can let us know by clicking here . Here's to putting our national agenda back in the hands of people who share our progressive ideals.

Paid for by Richardson for President, Inc. Contributions are not tax deductible for Federal income tax purposes. All content © 2007 Richardson for President, Inc. To unsubscribe, go to: http://action.richardsonforpresident.com/unsubscribe

---

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Do you own a resort in Goa?

Every once a while, a seemingly casual conversation with someone can turn into an important moment. A year ago, RM told he would retire with his family to Goa as soon as he could save enough money; he would own and manage a resort there. He told me it could be a good business to manage a resort in Goa, serving many visitors from Europe. For sure it would be a completely different and perhaps more fulfilling career than the demanding high-tech management job, working with colleagues from twelve time zones away every day.

RM’s dream stirred up my imagination about my life and retirement plan for my family. What was my plan? Was I sacrificing too much for my job responsibility? Did I spend enough time with my kids? Should I think about more important things?

Did I have my own resort in Goa?

RM was a colleague of mine from Gurgaon, tall, slim, and charismatic. Although a dedicated family man, he had never missed out on any fun. A chain-smoker and food lover, he could cook delicious food and know all the good local restaurants. RM always kept a cool head when things appeared to be out of control. But what impressed me the most was his dream for a resort in Goa.

Life is short. I may not have a five year plan of semi-retiring, but I should have a resort in Goa for me and my family today. Always remember why I’m working, and make time for the important people.

I don’t know how close RM is with his plan. Wish him success. Maybe I can invest in his family resort and get to visit there soon…

So, do you own a resort too?

Baidu.com endorses Obama?

Barack is nominated as the most-impacting person on baidu’s latest profile page (http://renwu.baidu.com/ ). There are only six featured profiles so far, and Barack is the first non-Chinese featured. I checked the page. The page is filled with pictures and stories that are very informational and generally positive about Obama. Unfortunately the headline reads " 'Black Kid' Obama: Eveything is Possible!" The Chinese media still needs some training about racial stereotype.

Similarly the popular blog that reported this story also showed some ignorance about Baidu.com, assuming it somehow represented the view of the Chinese government.

RFK and MLK

RFK is one of my favorite politicians.

Copyright: Public Domain
Credit: Photograph by Abbie Rowe, National Park Service, in the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston.

Sunday on the hiking trail

Yang took today off from writing to spend time with Victor and me. Three of us went on the Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline hiking trail. The air was cool today, a good day for hiking. We went much further than last two weeks when Victor and I were hiking by ourselves. Along the way we saw a beautiful sunflower plant. Sunflower is Yang's favorite flower. The soil surrounding the plant was very dry. We didn't know how this plant grew so healthy among other wildflowers.

Two deer were next to the trail and three of us caught a glimpse of them. They bounded away as we walked closer and before I could take a picture. A big black cow was nearby too. It chewed the cudd and watched us walking by gingerly.

When we were on the top of the hill surrounding by the trees and grass, my cell phone rang. It was a car dealer from the local Acura dealership asking me to buy a car. He was persistent but I managed to hang up after a minute of conversation.

Victor slipped a few times on the way down. We decided that we would find a flatter hiking trail next time.

Firefighting

Victor was always interested in fire trucks. He has one or two in his toy cars collection. Recently he picked up books about firefighter and firefighting vehicles every time we visited library. Last week I read him fire fighting related books for several nights in a row. He was fascinated by all these fire fighting cars, plans and boats. We learned many facts about firefighting together. For example, we learned different methods of fighting house fires, farm house fires, forest fires, boat fires and airport fires. Victor was especially impressed by the fire boats and their awesome water guns.We watched the movie Brotherhood together last night. It was a documentary about a few New York city firefighters. This was not a kids movie, but Victor watched with intense interest. For a four year old, these are one of the coolest thing on earth.