Beautiful Longmont, CO
friends
On the Run
Whenever I see a coyote in my neighborhood, I get concerned about them. So many people use their “fear” of them as an excuse to shoot them.
And I’ve been asked from friends if I am “OK” and if anyone is harassing me or threatening me (because I am Asian).
Suddenly, I identified with the coyote…just living life in the moment. Hyper-aware. Ready to fight and defend myself, but feeling fine and going about my business.
Friends and Fire
Book Update
I’ve chosen the font and set the text for my third book. It just needs some tweaking here and there, but I’m almost ready to do the illustrations! The goal with this one is experimental: write about “adult” issues in a children’s book style.
On a Budget
One of my fifth-grade students approached me this week and declared:
“Five dollars at the Dollar Store will legit pay for gifts for your friends.”
San Francisco Trip
My sister’s 50th birthday
My friend Howard’s 60th birthday
A visit with the in-laws
Great times with friends
More Scanning and Cataloging…
The moth will go in the lower left space of the word page unless I create something else that makes more sense. I’m happy with my productivity with the illustrations for my soon-to-be self-published children’s book. Thank you, readers, for your kind support!
Kevin’s Friends
Minji (left) and Carlos (characters in my next book, Kevin the Complainer)
Flocks
This proverb has been in use since at least the mid 16th century. In 1545 William Turner used a version of it in his papist satire The Rescuing of Romish Fox:
“Byrdes of on kynde and color flok and flye allwayes together.”
Source: Phrases.org
Quentin Tarantino realized he needed to leave his flock as a young adult. He was working in a video store (remember those?) and enjoying the benefits of watching movies, which were his passion. His co-workers were also making minimum wage, but he knew he was the smartest one among them. This made him feel comfortable – for three years – where he admits he “lost all ambition.” And then he woke up. He didn’t want to be an elderly man working in a video store, talking about movies. He wanted to MAKE them. So he had to leave his flock.
And he did.
Death as a Teacher
For something that affects each of us without fail, the subject of death remains taboo in our culture. Why?
2016 was rife with “surprise” celebrity deaths: Rickman, Bowie, Prince, Fisher and so many more. It’s sad to lose people we admire and love.
Yet, death can be the best teacher. It reminds us that life is, in the end, pretty short. It can clarify values pretty quickly. Six and half years ago, I was told by my doctor that I had cancer. I was fortunate – it was early stage I breast cancer – and my prognosis was very good. But I was 41 and not expecting that diagnosis at all. My life got crystal clear: Family and friends were priority. I realized that my job – teaching – was something I truly valued and I was grateful for it.
As I walked out of the hospital to go home to recover from my radical mastectomy, the air was crisp, the sun shone brightly and I noticed practically every blade of grass of the hospital lawn. I felt so alive!
Realizing that we don’t have much time gives us urgency. Don’t waste a day complaining. Don’t be negative. Live in the light of positivity and gratitude. Work towards your dreams. You might not have much time.
Kismet 