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Papa Joe's Log: June 1, 2011 (The First 5 Years)

2011-06-01T22:27:00.004-04:00

My earliest recollection of consciousness was birth. I distinctly recall light penetrating some kind of amniotic sack and making visible, floating particles. I know, weird, disturbing, unbelievable, but there it is for the record. While I'm at it, I might as well document the next 5 years of what I recall. Here goes:

@Singapore (1975-1980):

Ma reading to me. Read along cassette tape books. Friendly Giant. Loving it.

Visiting relatives. Papa tossing me up and catching me. Hitting my head on the way up. Crying.

Uncle Funny.

Lying on my parents' bed during the day. Window open. Giant preying mantis on curtain.

Looking into an open bin of curry powder sitting on the floor. Blowing at it. Being blinded.

Wok catching wildly on fire in the kitchen. Me calling my grandmother. Her frantically putting it out and then comforting me. Me making myself cry.

Waiting for my parents to come home from their night out. Crying. My grandmother trying to comfort me. Feeling betrayed.

Sneaking out to the neighbor's house. Watching the original Dawn of the Dead.

Taken by the neighbors with their son, Nikolaus, to an outdoor pool. Me not swimming.

Planting watermelon seeds in a pot. The seeds not sprouting.

Attending school for the first time. Not getting it. Kung Fu at recess.

My mom taking me to see my first theatre movie, Shaolin Temple. Kung Fu at home.

Ma driving into school late. Car stops. National anthem plays, Oh Singapura!

Performing a musical for the school play. Looking like a girl.

Trying to fall to get a great itchy scab going. Succeeding. Crying to feign an accident.

Driving ma crazy. Ma breaking a branch from a tree to discipline me. Disciplined.

Ma teaching me The Lord's Prayer in the car ride to grandmother's. Learned.

Riding around on my red battery-operated scooter and eating lunch to fill up the gas tank.

Dropping my ice-cream. Holding the cone and contemplating picking up the ice-cream.

Reaching out to touch a mannequin in a department store. Not a mannequin.

Going to a Billy Graham Crusade (1978).

Dreaming at night, incessantly. Scary dreams. Learning to control my dreams and wake up. One dream: driving a maze to get home. Another dream: carnival at night.

Realizing I knew more than I could possibly know. Making a mental note to myself to remember that.

Being told we are leaving to Canada. Looking out from the balcony and snapping pictures in my head, lest I forget. Large leafy trees blowing in the warm wind. Black and white cat walking down the road between the trees. Leaves rustle loudly.

Lots of room on the airplane. Running around. Ears pop. Airsickness.

Well that's about all I remember. What memories of the first 5 years are etched in your brain?

- Posted using BlogPress from my LaiPad

Papa Joe's Log: May 31, 2011 (Allergenza)

2011-05-31T18:51:00.002-04:00

Hit by a bout of Allergenza, it is a wonder I've faired this well so far. Scorned by onlookers I can only hope my daily doses of Nasonex, multi-vits and caffeine, mixed in with some pre-11 pm shut-eye see to the quick demise of this infernal non-contagious flu! Let's hope there is no need to call on the twin titans, Advair and Aerius, recommended by 9 out of 10 doctors. Who these doctors are and why those ten only the pharmaceuticals can say.

If anybody out there is suffering from Allergenza take heart, you are not alone!

- Posted using BlogPress from my LaiPad

Tobogganing in Canada

2011-01-09T17:02:00.000-05:00

A toboggan is a simple sled which is a traditional form of transport used by the Innu and Cree of northern Canada. In modern times, it is used on snow to carry one or more people (often children) down a hill or other slope for recreation. Designs vary from simple, traditional models to modern engineered composites. A toboggan differs from most sleds or sleighs in that it has no runners or skis (or only low ones) on the underside. The bottom of a toboggan rides directly on the snow.

Zhu Zhu Pets!

2010-12-28T21:15:00.001-05:00

(From Left to Right) Jilly, Justice and Tex

Katie-Pear's Punk Look!

2010-12-19T21:07:00.001-05:00

Yes, She's Even Cuter in Person

2010-11-21T11:45:00.000-05:00

A Walk in the Woods

2010-11-13T16:35:00.000-05:00

Trick or Treat!

2010-10-31T18:40:00.000-04:00

www.sixtysymbols.com

2010-09-23T23:12:00.001-04:00

"all you have to do is do it"

2010-09-17T21:10:00.001-04:00

Jessica Learns to Ride Also!

2010-09-13T17:38:00.000-04:00

Lucas Learns to Ride!

2010-09-12T17:16:00.000-04:00

Baby Kaitlyn's Baptism!

2010-09-12T12:09:00.004-04:00

Also see Lucas' Baptism here, and Jessica's baptism here!

Lucas Realizes He Just Turned 4!

2010-09-11T19:53:00.001-04:00

Arthur C Clarke Predicting the Future in 1964

2010-09-06T17:46:00.002-04:00

Sir Arthur Charles Clarke, CBE, FRAS (16 December 1917 – 19 March 2008) was a British science fiction author, inventor, and futurist, most famous for the novel 2001: A Space Odyssey, written in parallel of the script for the eponymous film, co-written with film-director Stanley Kubrick; and as a host and commentator in the British television series Mysterious World. For many years, Robert A. Heinlein, Isaac Asimov, and Arthur C. Clarke were known as the "Big Three" of science fiction.

Happy Anniversary!

2010-07-27T14:47:00.002-04:00

Today is our 8th wedding anniversary, and what better way to celebrate than lunch with the kids at Jack Astor`s (our favorite family friendly hang out); a surprisingly smooth and pleasant outing. Thanks kids!

Bath Time for "Katie-Pear"

2010-07-24T10:18:00.002-04:00

Jessica Lai, Swimmer 2

2010-07-23T16:49:00.000-04:00

Back crawl, front crawl, and jump!

Priceless Birthday Present...

2010-07-22T19:15:00.003-04:00

... nobody crying, no funny faces (except maybe mine), and all eyes on the camera!

Meaning of Names

2010-07-14T22:12:00.021-04:00

Jessica Adeline Mei-Ying Lai

Jessica (Hebrew = God Beholds)
Adeline (Germanic = Noble)
Mei-Ying (Chinese = Intelligent Beauty)

Lucas Joseph Jun-Chong Lai

Lucas (Hebrew = Light)

Joseph (Hebrew = May Jehovah Increase)
Jun-Chong (Chinese = Handsome, Clever and Morally Strong)

Kaitlyn Perelandra Mei-Yi Lai

Kaitlyn (Gaelic = Pure)
Perelandra (English = Original Love)
Mei-Yi (Chinese = Beautiful and Elegant Phoenix)

Origin of Lai 賴

The 98th most common last name in China. The brother of Zhou Wu Wang, Shu Ying, was awarded the duke of Lai (north east of Shi in Henan). In 538 B.C., the Lai kingdom was destroyed by Chu Ling Wang. Some of its people fled to the neighboring kingdoms of Luo and Fu and changed their name to Luo and Fu. Others migrated north and settled in Da Yan (Yanling in Henan). They adopted the last name of Lai to commemorate their old kingdom. Because of this, the Lais, the Fus and the Luos are closely related.

Hometown: Zhangge or Xuchang of Henan Province

Famous Lai's in History

Han Dynasty- Lai Xian (judge)
Song Dynasty- Lai Wenjin (geologist)
Yuan Dynasty- Lai Liang (poet)
Ming Dynasty- Lai Ying (judge)
Qing Dynasty- Lai Zhen, Lai Jin (painters), Lai Ta (general)

(Source: http://www.yutopian.com/names/16/16lai98.html)

Kaitlyn Perelandra Mei-Yi Lai (5 lbs, 15 ozs)

2010-07-10T10:42:00.008-04:00

"Pure, spiritual, intellectual love shot from their faces like barbed lightning. It was so unlike the love we experience that its expression could easily be mistaken for ferocity." ~ C. S. Lewis

Jessica Graduates SK!

2010-06-22T09:53:00.003-04:00

Lucas Loves Ramen

2010-05-28T00:20:00.004-04:00

"because i havent made myself lunch not yet
but no reason to fret
i know what i will make
it will be great
o how i love this
sometimes i eat and say o dude
its even better then cake
this food is no fake
it is the food that i like to eat
but it needs to be cooked under much heat
this food is something you might not expect i dont know
but i think it is time to show
the great food i love RAMEN!"

I Love Ramen by David Knox

Mei...

2010-05-24T09:16:00.002-04:00

Our Little Fish

2010-05-15T09:28:00.006-04:00

Jessica, Preschool E, and Lucas, Preschool B.
(Lifesaving Society Preschool Swimming Lessons)

Cruise on the Carnival Elation

2009-12-20T15:14:00.012-05:00

Eat, sleep, play... eat, sleep, play... eat, sleep, play.

C. M. Kornbluth, The Little Black Bag

2009-11-24T18:23:00.005-05:00

Addiction

"The amber bottle, the crisp snap of the sealing as he cut it, the pleasurable exertion of starting the screw cap on its threads, and then the refreshing tangs in his throat, the warmth in his stomach, the dark, dull happy oblivion of drunkenness - they became real to him... - he struggled to his right knee. As he did, he heard a yelp behind him, and curiously craned his neck around while resting. It was the little girl, who had cut her hand quite badly on her toy, the piece of glass. Dr. Full could see the rilling bright blood down her coat, pooling at her feet.

He almost felt inclined to defer the image of the amber bottle for her, but not seriously. He knew that it was there, shoved well to the rear under the sink, behind the rusty drain where he had hidden it. He would have a drink and then magnanimously return to help the child. Dr. Full got to his other knee and then his feet, and proceeded at a rapid totter down the littered alley toward his room, where he would hunt with calm optimism at first for the bottle that was not there, then with anxiety, and then with frantic violence. He would hurl books and dishes about before he was done looking for the amber bottle of whiskey, and finally would beat his swollen knuckles against the brick wall until old scars on them opened and his thick old blood oozed over his hands. Last of all, he would sit down somewhere on the floor whimpering, and would plunge into the abyss of purgative nightmare that was his sleep."

Fredric Brown, Arena

2009-11-15T20:24:00.006-05:00

Evolution of a God

"I am the end of evolution of a race so old time can not be expressed in words that have meaning to your mind. A race fused into a single entity, eternal - [a]n entity such as your primitive race might become..."

I'm Six O'Clock

2009-11-02T23:28:00.002-05:00

Isaac Asimov, Nightfall

2009-10-25T21:25:00.002-04:00

The Moment of Madness

"Theremon staggered to his feet, his throat constricting him to breathlessness, all the muscles of his body writhing in a tensity of terror and sheer fear beyond bearing. He was going mad, and knew it, and somewhere deep inside a bit of sanity was screaming, struggling to fight off the hopeless flood of black terror. It was horrible to go mad and know that you were going mad - to know that in a little minute you would be here physically and yet all the real essence would be dead and drowned in the black madness. For this was the Dark - the Dark and the Cold and the Doom. The bright walls of the universe were shattered and their awful black fragments were falling down to crush and squeeze and obliterate him."

Audrey Niffenegger, The Time Traveler's Wife

2009-09-25T21:24:00.000-04:00

The Moment of Joy

"... we laugh, and laugh, and nothing can ever be sad, no one can be lost, or dead, or far away: right now we are here, and nothing can mar our perfection, or steal the joy of this perfect moment."

Sandbanks 2009

2009-08-28T23:58:00.001-04:00

The official Lai Family beach-camp hang-out spot!

The Fish Market Restaurant

2009-04-14T22:50:00.003-04:00

A great family restaurant = kids menu + crayons + colouring pictures + waitresses who take great family photos!

BeaverTails =P~

2009-04-14T22:33:00.011-04:00

The Supreme Banana-Chocolate BeaverTail

The Classic Cinnamon and Sugar BeaverTail (also in Killaloe Sunrise)

On our first day in Ottawa (at the Byward Market), we tracked down and devoured two BeaverTails. The fact they merely laid there without defenses of any kind made them easy targets for hungry travellers. Quickly having developed a taste for these indigenous pastries we finished off another three the night before our long journey back to Toronto, where a close cousin of the BeaverTail resides, the Funnel Cake.

Lucas' Clavicle Injury

2009-04-09T19:43:00.000-04:00

The clavicle, or collar bone, holds the shoulder joint away from the rest of the upper body (trunk) and is only as thick as your little finger.

Thornhill Woods, Thornhill, Canada

2008-07-15T16:19:00.000-04:00

Our second place. 2580 square feet of suburban living!

Zero Emissions Vehicle

2008-03-22T21:42:00.001-04:00

IMG_8680, originally uploaded by joeblog.

Lucas sports his red "green" machine.

Le Roquet

2008-02-10T21:49:00.001-05:00

IMG_7841, originally uploaded by joeblog.

Having grown a watermelon-sized head, I decided to give my Le Roquet cap (incidentally purchased at Quartier Petit Champlain in Old Quebec City) to Lucas, whose squash-sized head is indubitably kinder to, and better looking in, the cap.

Our Little Ballerina

2008-02-02T23:43:00.000-05:00

IMG_7626, originally uploaded by joeblog.

Wishing All a Joyful 2008!

2008-01-01T11:45:00.000-05:00

IMG_7101, originally uploaded by joeblog.

Cinnamon Christmas Star Cookies

2007-12-16T11:39:00.000-05:00

IMG_6747, originally uploaded by joeblog.

The Art of Eating

2007-10-28T14:07:00.000-04:00

Fall Colours

2007-10-28T11:09:00.000-04:00

IMG_5805, originally uploaded by joeblog.

Canada's Wonderland

2007-09-29T23:03:00.000-04:00

IMG_5048, originally uploaded by joeblog.

Jessica's first coaster ride!

Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club

2007-08-05T23:09:00.000-04:00

IMG_2507, originally uploaded by joeblog.

Westport Dollhouse

2007-07-21T22:27:00.001-04:00

08072007075, originally uploaded by joeblog.

Samples at Costco

2007-06-24T16:08:00.000-04:00

24062007023, originally uploaded by joeblog.

Here is a picture I snapped with my Nokia n95 at Costco. I love this picture! Samples anyone?

The Interrogation

2007-06-24T14:09:00.000-04:00

The Adventurer

2007-06-06T12:28:00.000-04:00

IMG_0679, originally uploaded by joeblog.

Baby Lucas' Baptism!

2007-04-08T12:39:00.002-04:00

Canon in D

2007-03-17T00:11:00.003-04:00

Since I have finger-antidexterititis, I must resign myself to merely listening to great guitar playing =S

Angels in My Garden

2007-03-06T23:25:00.001-05:00

IMG_5420, originally uploaded by joeblog.

"Among my gift begonias
Is one called "Angel-wing",
So true to form I fancy
I hear the seraphs sing.
For surely higher beings
Inspired the friendly hearts
Of my new next-door neighbors
To give me these "new starts".

O Angels, hover always
About this garden spot!
Help-me to share life's blossoms
With those who have them not!
And from your shining wing-tips
Shake fragrance for the hearts
Of beauty-hungry thousands
Today, who need new starts!" ~ Irene Stanley

The Serenity Prayer

2007-03-04T16:31:00.001-05:00

IMG_4733, originally uploaded by joeblog.

"God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
enjoying one moment at a time;
accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
that I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
forever in the next.
Amen." ~ Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971)

A Riddle - On Snow

2007-02-26T13:59:00.000-05:00

IMG_6789, originally uploaded by joeblog.

"From Heaven I fall, though from earth I begin.
No lady alive can show such a skin.
I'm bright as an angel, and light as a feather,
But heavy and dark, when you squeeze me together.

Though candor and truth in my aspect I bear,
Yet many poor creatures I help to insnare.
Though so much of Heaven appears in my make,
The foulest impressions I easily take.

My parent and I produce one another,
The mother the daughter, the daughter the mother." ~ James Parton

Animal Shots

2007-01-14T22:09:00.000-05:00

These pictures were taken at the San Diego Zoo, San Diego Wild Animal Park and Sea World using a Canon Digital Rebel XT with a Canon EF 75-300MM/4-5.6 USM II/III AF.

A Prayer for Our Family

2007-01-14T16:24:00.000-05:00

IMG_4730, originally uploaded by joeblog.

"O Loving God,
bless our family with your love.
Guard us from all danger and harm;
deliver us from anger that leads to division;
empower us to forgive as we have been forgiven;
and send us into the world
to witness to your love and grace;
in the name of Jesus Christ we pray.
Amen." ~ Vienna Cobb Anderson, adapted from "Prayers of Our Hearts" © 1991.

Your Smile

2006-12-01T15:23:00.000-05:00

IMG_4598, originally uploaded by joeblog.

Your smile can light my life and make it happy,
turn me up side down and get me back,
Your smile gives me the strength to overcome my weaknesses,
is the fountain of felicity full of so much cheer.
I live within that fountain of your smile,
remembering precious moments of you, my child.

Adapted from "Your Smile" by Salem Gomi

My Baby Boy!

2006-11-29T21:09:00.000-05:00

IMG_4080, originally uploaded by joeblog.

"My Baby Boy
he brings so much joy.
Chubby cheeks and chin
and a really great grin.
All of God's grace
in his cute little face.
Even tho'l pray
little he won't stay.
Please don't grow so fast
let these cherished moments last.
Cars, balls, and boats
soon he'll make them float.
Outgrowing all his toys
My Cherished Baby Boy!" ~ Christine Michaels

My Christmas Secrets

2006-11-08T21:09:00.000-05:00

IMG_4070, originally uploaded by joeblog.

Hurry Christmas!
How you creep,
I've some presents I can't keep,
Just this morning I forgot,

And told baby what I'd bought.
All he answered was, "Goo goo!"
So I don't think that he knew,
I told mamma hers was white,

And she'd wear it every night.
That she'd need it getting tea.
Then my mamma smiled at me,
And she whispered, "Isn't Jessie
Letting secrets fly away?"

Adapted from "My Christmas Secrets" by S.C. Peabody

The First Day of Daycare

2006-10-02T20:16:00.000-04:00

IMG_3540, originally uploaded by joeblog.

I wonder if my drawing will be as good as theirs
I wonder if they'll like me, or just be full of stares
I wonder if my teacher will look like mama or papa
And I wonder if my fishy will wonder where I am.

Adapted from "The First Day at School" by Aileen Fisher

Lucas Joseph Jun-Chong Lai (7 lbs, 12 ozs)

2006-09-11T09:49:00.009-04:00

You little one are Papa's pride,
the joy you bring I cannot hide.
Ten little fingers and ten little toes,
your beautiful eyes and button nose.
How could I... even dream
what having you would really mean.
I do wish I would've known,
that you are really a gift on loan.
Tho', I could not have prepared,
for the gift of love, that God has shared.
I will always do my best,
God believes, I'll pass the test
and I will know I have succeeded
when you're a parent, and there when needed.

Adapted from "Daddy's Pride" by Christine Michaels

The Fable of Leopard and Zebra

2006-08-20T02:07:00.000-04:00

IMG_2823, originally uploaded by joeblog.

“The landscape dresses in African colours.
The sky uses light rose and Verona light blue, at sunset.

Abruptly, walking far away from the group set,
A zebra breaks the route.

White and black, her suite is cute.
Nobody knows who draw her blouse.

The eyes in alert, the nerves are prepared.
The muscles are strong, the legs are narrowed.

In the meanwhile, the leopard sees banquet.
Elastic bronze, his skin is sand coloured

With obscure spots. He is a vanquisher.
Odorous sweat, the leopard is a beast.

His strength is known and so his dinner feast.
The leopard jumps like an acrobat

An acrobat reader.
He reads the signals and selects the exact instant.

Then shocking air, he is over the victim at once.
A pirouette, a whirl from the tall tree

Where he has been unseen.
In black and white, the meat is promising but…

The zebra escapes through the landscapes.
She has perceived the jeopardy

And, with ability
She has selected to wait but no near the tree with lowest twigs.

We need to learn from zebras skill. It saves them from predators.
They are not frightful, they are anticipators.” ~ Maria Cristina Azcona

"Gentle Child"

2006-08-17T21:07:00.000-04:00

IMG_2759, originally uploaded by joeblog.

"Gentle Child of loves sweet passions,
Bring happiness to this loving pair.

Let both have bounding compassion,
Through that childhood that both do share.

Love and laughter be always with you,
Parental strength guide your faltering way.

Happy tears like fresh morning dew,
Will help you on life's path to stay.

A Mother's love a Father's care by day and by night,
Will help you grow into a child to bring joyful delight.

Thrive Gentle child born of loves sweet passion,
Thrive, grow strong, and fulfil your purpose in living.

Remember your childhood's parental compassion,
And live your life in joyful giving." ~ Bernard Shaw

Psalm 46:10

2006-08-16T21:01:00.000-04:00

IMG_2709, originally uploaded by joeblog.

"Be still, and know that I am God..." ~ Sons of Korah

"The Bubble Song"

2006-08-15T23:14:00.000-04:00

IMG_2621, originally uploaded by joeblog.

[Sung to "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star"]

"Everybody look at me. Pretty bubbles you will see.
Red and green and yellow, too, floating through the air for you.
Will they break before they land? Can you catch one in your hand?" ~ Jane

"God Sent Me An Angel"

2006-08-15T22:54:00.000-04:00

IMG_2661, originally uploaded by joeblog.

"Today I pray more often and feel blessed with my God's Love
As He was there and listening - and sent an Angel from above..." ~ Tommy Q

Capturing a Blessing

2006-08-11T13:17:00.000-04:00

IMG_0411, originally uploaded by joeblog.

Location: Toronto's Centre Island
Date: June 24, 2006
Lense: 18-55 mm
Exposure: 0.003 sec (1/400)
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 46 mm
ISO Speed: 100
Exposure Bias: 0/33554432 EV

Once a Week...

2006-08-04T13:16:00.000-04:00

IMG_1172, originally uploaded by joeblog.

... let a child take you on a walk, and the beauty of her youth will revitalize your spirit and inspire your soul =)

Hanging Out Downtown Chinatown

2006-08-01T13:09:00.001-04:00

Radio Flyer Wagon Rider

2005-08-15T13:53:00.001-04:00

Happy Birthday Mama!

2005-05-07T12:34:00.001-04:00

The Waterclub, Toronto, Canada

2005-02-25T16:17:00.001-05:00

Our first place. 776 square feet of downtown living!

Bunny Tries Pushing Jessica Over

2004-09-21T22:28:00.003-04:00

Baby Jessica's Baptism!

2004-08-22T12:09:00.005-04:00

White Oaks Conference Centre @ Niagara

2004-07-31T13:24:00.000-04:00

Our Little Butterfly

2004-06-18T22:22:00.000-04:00

Jessica Adeline Mei-Ying Lai (7 lbs, 4 ozs)

2004-05-16T18:19:00.007-04:00

With the birth of our first, insightful child, Jessica, I have decided to begin a life blog. My hope is that this blog will serve as an online journal for my family; documenting memorable moments, important events, as well as random thoughts, writings and other things!