SAAAG: Social Picnic

SAAAG: Social Picnic, originally uploaded by snaperture.

Finally Spring/Summer was here, this weekend was hot we had 90s on Saturday and upper 80s on Sunday. Sunday was my first BBQ of the year and I love BBQ, not only the food instead it is the people. I like social gathering activity and this Sunday was a perfect event for me.
Sacramento Asian Activity Group organized a picnic in Rancho Seco Sunday 4/29. It was a great turn out, and we had about 60 people there. I was late because I was waiting for my friend Iris to show up, but I didn’t miss any fun at all.

Rancho Seco Park is build by SMUD in the early 90s, it serve as an emergency backup water supply in case of fire for the now-closed Rancho Seco Power generating station. It was the main source of water supply for the power plant. The last time I was there was in my high school year. So that means I had not been there for more than 12 years. The park has not changed much at all, just a lot of new housing development along the way to the park.

We had many activities in this event such as BBQ (of course), fishing, kayaking, volleyball, and Texas Holdem. I marinated some of my best chicken wings and grilled for the folks too bad not everyone tried but they were good. I can’t have enough of it!

I played some valley ball, grill, and chat with new friends. It can’t get any better for a Sunday afternoon.

More Photos

Salsa Class

Salsa Class, originally uploaded by snaperture.

One two three, five six seven.

I registered a beginning salsa class in Vacaville adult school couple months ago and I got some of my co-workers join me. I always love to watch Latin Dance and last year one of my friends brought to a studio to watch live performance. After that I was hooked and been looking for a beginner class and dance party since then.

This is my first real class for salsa and it is a 5 session class. Angeline, the instructor was a tall slim beautiful 25 years old lady. I learned basic steps, turn, side steps and back steps. It was easy because I already knew these steps from last year and from a DVD lessons. So I was the pro in the class yesterday.Most of my classmates are 40-50 years old woman and I know they force their husband to take this class. Probably I am the only guy who wants to learn it. Oh well, hopefully I will learn some new move next week.

Stress = Acid Reflux

Lately I been suffering acid reflux for a while but it is not severe yet. The thing that bothered me the most is at night when I had a glass of wine before I lay down. I stopped to drink wine before I sleep now, there was a time I had acid overflow and my throat got burn and swollen.
I knew this has to do with stress; I just accepted a project for my previous client and working an extra shift at night. Physically, I can handle it with no problem, but stress from the day job and nigh job both add up. I have to change my diet and hopefully I can recover soon.
Here is my plan:

Cut down on only 1 cup of coffee a day
Cut down on wine
Cut down on soda and candy
Stop smoking

And finally I need to find a better way to release my stress.

Finding True Happiness

Hope Child "Husen" from Ethiopia, originally uploaded by snaperture.

After an exhausted Saturday, I woke up this Sunday morning to get ready for Church. My previous co-worker from HP Troy Fulton invited me to his church “New Song Christian Church” this Sunday. The church had invited a Christian musicians “Andy & Pam Allen” to play during the morning service.

I saw the World Vision booth in back side of the auditorium. It was a Sponsor a child program and it got me interested. There were many packages with a child picture on the table. It was heart breaking when I see all these poor children and think of what they have to go through each day. I want to help, but I wasn’t sure which one to pick. What country? Age? Gender? Who needs the most? Because I knew today I will make a different for one child.

During the service Pam shared their experience in Lesotho, Africa. In their visit they promised them that they would come home and tell their story to as many people as they could in order to help them. I was touch and tears were flowing out from my eyes. After the service I went to the World Vision booth and chat with Pam and she told me most people sponsor younger children and older boys always get left behind. So I ask them to pick me an older boy so I can help him. Pam’s eyes started to get red and so as I. The feeling I had in that moment was indescribable. The joy and happiness that I had was more than anything I could remember. I can’t make a different for the world they live it, but I can make a different for this child and their family. I realized I found the purpose of life and the happiness that I was searching for. The true happiness is not about yourself, instead it is about others and giving. For this event this boy and me's life were changed and we will see the world a little brighter after today.

“Many persons have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.” (Helen Keller)

Here is some information about the child I am sponsoring.

Husen lives with his parents, 3 brothers, and 1 sister. His parents struggle to provide for the family. His father is a peasant farmer and him mother takes care of the household. Despite their efforts, it is difficult to meet the family's needs.

Husen and his family live in a community severely affacted by the HIV/AIDS crisis. In some communities, AIDS affects the entire social structure as a generation of hardworking adults is being wiped out. Frightened children and exhausted grandparents rarely have money for food, school, or medical care. Through sponsorship, I can ensure access to these and other basic needs for Husen and his family.

Husen is in primary school and he enjoys science. He helps at home by caring for the animals. He likes to play soccer. He is in good health.
http://www.worldvision.org/Hope

A little info about Andy & Pam:
Andy & Pam live with their 5 kids in Chico, CA. They tour and work with churches – leading worship concerts and sharing music in church services, along with teaching their CALLED to WORSHIP workshops and training worship teams. http://www.andyallen.com/

Muir Woods Hike 4/21/07

Muir Woods Hike 4/21/07, originally uploaded by snaperture.

Enjoying the nature is a good way to escape from the busy stressful city life. This hike was planned three weeks ago after the Mt. Diablo Hike. I almost had to call this hike off because of the weather condition. The forecast said it would rain and I was just rolling the dice and hope the rain comes later.

It took us nearly two hours to drive to Muir Woods in Mills Valley. Once we got to Muir Woods, the first parking lot was still not full so we parked our cars and wait for the rest of the group.
Finally everyone was there 14 of us. We paid our park fee and took a group photo and start our hike. It was very crowded as we headed down the paved trail and I ensure the group as soon as we enter the next trail you will not see many people at all. We walked past four bridges which cross Redwood Creek, and started off on the Ben Johnson Trail at the fourth bridge.

Here the pavement ends and the crowds begin to dissipate rapidly. The trail also heads uphill, steadily and somewhat steeply. We turned right and took Stapelveldt and TCC. We stopped at the big rock in Van Wyck Meadow and took some group picture there.
We could have been hiked more but I knew it would rain so we turn back at Bootjack instead of going to Troop 80 then Ocean View. By the time we arrived back to Muir Wood the rain came and after the restroom break we left and went to King of Thai for lunch.

Since Saturday was a Cherry Blossom Festival, before I head back to Sacramento Janet and I stopped by Japan Town to check out the Festival. Unfortunately, it was still rain so we didn’t stay long and head back home.

“Life in Cartoon Motion”

I started a really good mood today while I am driving to the office because of Mika’s debut album “Life in Cartoon Motion”. Every time I listen to this CD, it just makes me happy. All the songs from this album are very positive and upbeat. Mika sounds like a cross over of Queen, Freddie Merecury, and Bee Gees with a modern mix to it.

I started to enjoy UK music more than what American made. It is more creative and meaningful.
I am so tried all the R&B, Garbage High School Pop, and the country sounds like they always talk about their truck. All of Mika’s lyrics touch on personal subjects and reflects our life. I love these songs and their meaningful lyrics.

“Grace Kelly” (Say what you want to satisfy yourself but you only want what everybody else says you should want)

“Any Other World” (Say goodbye to world you thought you lived in)

“Happy Ending” (This is the way that we love, Like its forever. Then live the rest of our life, but not together.)

“Big Girl You Are Beautiful” (Diet coke and a pizza please)

Mika’s music is very different and original and all of them written and produced by him.

Virginia Tech Rampage, Who Should We Blame?

Thirty-two people were killed and at least 15 injured in two shooting attacks in the cold morning of 4/16 at Virginia Tech. According to the media it was the deadliest shooting rampage in American history.

Shock, sorrow, and concern about the school safety in American and I am wonder who should responsible for this tragedy? Who should we blame?
Is it the school officials that responded not taking more serious action on the first shooting? Or should we blame the government about the gun control issue? Or should we blame the culture of America?

It is a wake-up call for the university to review their security procedures. I know for sure a small piece of freedom has been taken away from us today.

Tour of De Young

Vivienne Westwood Exhibition, originally uploaded by snaperture.

I got an invitation from Jane a few weeks ago about the Vivienne Westwood Exhibition in de Young Museum. At first I didn’t recall who is Vivienne Westwood was, but as soon as I went to de Young’s website and see the work she did I know who she is and I can’t miss this exhibition.

Vivienne Westwood is both iconoclast and global icon. In the 1970s, she electrified the world with the launch of punk fashion and went on to become one of the most inventive and influential designers of our time. Fashion to her became "a baby I picked up and never put down." Her early work was really extraordinary and unique.

I always hard to except most of the collection form a designer as fashion and I always see it as art. Maybe my definition of fashion is trends that have already been accepted by the public and the fashion world. On the other hand I think art is more personal, subjective, and less functional value. I found her early collection is overly details (I wished photography were allowed so I can show you what I mean), but I do love her early 80s punk style outrageous designs.

My Reunion Party

Audria "The Baby", originally uploaded by snaperture.

I hosted a little reunion party at my house on Saturday. I wish the weather was sunny so I can go outside and grill some wings. It was a last minute thing that I came up last weekend when I spoke to Sherry. My intention was to invite as much people who graduated from Sacramento High School as possible and have them bring their significant others to the party. However most people have changed their contact number and some of them already had plans. I didn’t want to change plan even the rain and only few of them show up because I was excited a party and I invited some of my friends and two cats already.

It was a busy afternoon; I quickly managed to clean up my house in an hour then ran to the store to buy food to be made for the party. I made roast pork loin, soba noodles, and special requested from my sister Sharon cream brulee.

Well, I had a good time. I wish more people were attending this party but this was as good as it gets.
Next time I will plan it a little bit earlier, a little more prepared, and ask them to bring more babies!

Today's Shippment

Today's Shippment, originally uploaded by snaperture.

Wow, what a exciting day? I got my Nikon D40, IPOD Shuffle, SanDisk Extreme III 2GB card, Book "The Alchemist" By Paulo Coelho, and a Starbucks Gift Card.

Maybe I just shop too much last couple week.

My Hiking Buddy - Nikon D40

My Hiking Buddy - Nikon D40, originally uploaded by snaperture.

I am so excited when I got in my office this morning. A brand new Nikon D40 is sitting on my desk and waiting for me to unwrap it.

I need a light camera for point-and-shoot and hiking. This camera will help to capture more wonderful images for this blog. Its so light weight I can carry it everywhere instead of my Canon SD600 pocket camera. I only grab my big D200 when I've got something more serious to photograph.

AAG Social Dinner @ Tex Wasabi

We had about 25 people attended this social dinner event. Thanks to Jeney, our group organizer to plan this dinner gathering. I was excited about meeting new professional Asian people in Sacramento regional. It is a wonderful social group if you like to find people with common interests in the same age group. Jeney picked a Restaurant call “Tex Wasabi” and there is so much hype about it because it owned by a reality celebrity Guy Fieri. I don’t really like fusion food at all, and this restaurant offers southern barbecue and sushi? WFT…Food was terrible and sushi is overpriced, I prefer the former greasy Chinese instead. Well, even the food was bad, but I had a good time. I met some new young professionals and met some familiar faces. The people in the group were nice and friendly. Hopefully they will join my next hiking event, and host more activity for this boring town call “Sacramento”.

My First Tattoo

My First Tattoo, originally uploaded by snaperture.

I’ve always wanted a tattoo ever since I was a kid. About a year and a half ago I started to sketch up ideas. I wanted a Japanese koi fish on my calf but I haven’t found the design I like yet. I got inspired by those full body tattoo Japanese woman and I think the art itself speak stronger than having a tattoo.

It was a warm Sunday Easter afternoon and I was supposed to pick up Karey in San Jose. I took her with me to the Bay Area to my friend’s pot luck gathering, then her friend Paul picked her up from my friend’s house.

Paul is a wonderful tall shy shinny guy who works in a tattoo shop (www.eddietattoo.com), it is a family business and he works there since a kid. When I got there at around 4:30 Sunday I was just waiting for Karey and thinking to head back home and I don’t want to drag too long in the shop. I talked to Paul’s father (I think his name is Eddie), he is a outgoing kind man around mid 50s who loves red wine. He asked me “Are you Karey’s friend who wants a Koi fish?” I was kind of shy and reply “Yes, I been thinking about it. Any good designs?” He showed me a bunch of pictures but it was nothing that I interested it. Therefore I continued my new book and not thought of it anymore. When Karey and Paul finally arrived to the shop I was excited to see them because I felt left out in the shop. Paul’s Dad asked me that have I done any tattoo before and I replied no. They looked me and told me it will be hurt for the first time and the size of the tattoo I wanted to get will be very painful.

I decided to get a little one on my upper arm and test out the water before I commit to a big one. My idea for the first tattoo was represent luck, simple, and artistic. I wanted something match my personality. I thought clover might be a good one to pick but I can’t found a nice one. So it got me really thinking…
For that moment I see a tradition Chinese BamBOo water painting in my mind and that’s what I want.

I was a bit hesitated to do a permanent mark in my arm, and I think I can back out I still can. After googled for more than 20 minutes I found the bamboo that I like. I printed out and handed to Paul and he started drawing it on top of the light table. I was ready because I already have the image of the tattoo on my arm. I rested my arm on this thing while Paul’s dad “needdles” did his work. It hurts, but pain was nothing worse than someone broke your heart. I felt more pain before and this is nothing compare to some depression I had. It went the full range from painful and unpleasant in certain areas, to almost feeling sort of good in others. It was very strange.

I am still thinking what is the psychological effect would be on me to have my first tattoo. It is sort of a life-transition in this Easter Day, I felt like a re-born last night and become a different me when I start my new day tomorrow. And now, I feel different not only my mind, but my heart and soul had been touched, and forever modified in this process.

Eddie's Tattoo 1207 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA 95050 (408) 554-8520

Paranoia

Paranoia, originally uploaded by snaperture.

The story behind the picture:

"I woke up in a strange little town of unknown by the chilly fresh air from the river. I can’t remember a thing from how I got here only I remember the love from the past life. Why am I here? What is the purpose? I will follow my heart and explore this strange place.I got scare because there are no people around but I have the feeling being followed.
Why? I want to ask for direction, but the city is empty.
Love has been followed me along, it is just my Paranoia."

The alarm clock went off at 5:45am the early Saturday morning. Usually I am not so motivated to wake up that early but for photography it was a piece of cake. However, it turned out rather disappointed. I got a bad news from Joanne (my model) she was overly drunk the night before and cannot make it my long planned photo shoot. There nothing I can do or done but to go back to bed again.
She called me around 9 something and wanted to give me an apology, but instead I told her to go. I knew that I won’t complete this project but at least we can do part of it. The most wanted shot is a bridge shot which only can shoot it during sunrise.
It was an overcast day, a perfect day for outdoor photography. We went to Walnut Grove and about 2 hours later I got what I wanted. It was the style I wanted, the urban suspense photography. It was a new step to establish my own unique style.

More photos about this set click here.

Plants in My Yard

4x4, originally uploaded by snaperture.

I was watering my plants this afternoon and decided to snap a few shots .

I am Free

Run 4, originally uploaded by snaperture.

I feel refresh when there is a quality photography time with my friends. Every year we choose a national park to photograph. This year is Death Valley. This is one of the picture I downloaded my friend's website.

We were playing around panning moving blur. Kenneth and I were the model that time. Fun Fun Fun. (kind of funny two 30+ adults running like a kid)

Painful Migration

Finally I can start blogging in blogger. It took me more than 3 hours to move everything from friendster blog, but it is all worth it.

Lost Connection!

I saw her last night, and we ate at the same restaurant that I took her out the first time. We rented “Pursuit of Happyness” and made it a quite night of our own. She brought her cat with her and Coco was not happy at all. It was a usual night but what I felt inside was totally different. The connection has been lost and our body language has been changed. I tried to hide the eyes contact because it would be meaningless. It was a silence night and I rather keep it that way.

She recognized the same thing.

Was it the last goodbye?

Idea for the Next Photo Shoot

Here is the idea/script for my Saturday photo shoot. Joanne will help me as a model/actress to express my ideas out. It will be in Walnut Grove early morning 7:30am. I hope you can wake up in time, so I can complete this little project of mine. Check back here if you want to know what happen and how the picture come out.
"
I woke up in a strange little town of unknown by the chilly fresh air from the river. I can’t remember a thing from how I got here only I remember love from the past life. Why am I here? What is the purpose? I will follow my heart and explore this strange place.
I got scare because there are no people around, Why? I want to ask for direction, but the city is empty.
Finally I found a person and she is what I am searching for.
"

Work from Home

Today is my turn in the home office rotation. You know when guest is coming you need to clean up your home. So I did that Sunday, mostly my yard. I got some plants from Costco and planted yesterday. It was hard work but I managed to finish in three hours. Not bad at all!
I turned my live room/studio in a probable work office and we got a productive day. The homies are coming again tomorrow so it will be another day of fun in work. Even Coco loves when I work from home!

Mt. Diablo Hike (Eagle Peak)

Spring is perfect time for hiking in Mt. Diablo, a scenic 7 miles four hours easy hike in Mt. Diablo was what I need to relax my stress for work and connect with the nature. I organize the trip for the Sacramento Activity Group couple weeks ago and I got some good response from members. Together we had 8 people to hike Mt. Diablo Eagle Peak Trail.
We met in Present Hill Bart Station by 9:30am and arrived in the trail head around 10:15am.
The air was crisp it still felt like a sunny late winter days but I was perfect for this hike. I still remember last about the same time I hiked the same trail and it was hot and sweaty.
My friend Mary was a first time hiker so she didn’t prepare for anything, but this is a beginner hike so she has nothing to worry about. Along the way all the vegetation was green, in three month the mountain will change its color to brown from the hot summer months. We saw a couple snakes along the hike, and one is a baby rattlesnake. It was scary because my friend almost stepped on it, it would be bad if he did. Lucky we have Phil, who is a very experienced hiking with good eyes.
Over all, everyone wants more. I am going to plan some longer trials in the near future. I think my next hike will be in Muir’s Wood. I miss those big red woods!