Waking up early, before 6am in the morning, Victor and I watched the Royal Wedding on TV and I was amazed how big a show that is. There was a very faint memory in my mind seeing Diana and Charles' wedding when I was a child, if Diana was alive, she would be 50 yrs old, I am sure she would be proud for her son.
"Yellow! Yellow! The Queen is wearing yellow, I couldn't believe it, I bet on her dress color is in light blue!" Victor screamed.
"Look at all these crazy hats, Joey, you gotta look at these, I could not imagine people could wear these on their heads." He couldn't help himself but commentating everything.
Duke of Cambridge and Princess Catherine look absolutely stunning, against all odds, at least they look happy to be together. Unlike Diana, who was chosen to marry Charles; this pair worked out their relationship on their own, they lived together to try things out before tieing the knot, she was very poised and elegant, immediately gain popularity of the people of Britain already.
With all the blessings of the people, we wish them happiness.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Monday, April 25, 2011
big bone
due to the current shoulder injury, I am having treatment from a Chiropractor a few times a week.
He asked me today: "Are you lifting weight?"
"No, not exactly, perhaps a 10 lb dumbbell here and there." I replied.
"You have good muscle tone considered as a lady's frame." He said.
"My mom used to say I am not fat, I was born with big bone." I laughed thinking about my mom before she passed away 5 years ago.
"It's not big bone, you have big muscle lining up your back, that's why I thought you are in training of lifting weight." He explained.
"Oh yes, now that you remind me, I actually move water." I replied.
"What do you mean you move water?"
"I have a small outdoor pond with goldfish in it, every week I have to change 25% of water, instead of just using a hose, I use a bucket and move the water around the garden, that is a 100 gallon pond. I don't know how much water weight." I said.
"1 gallon of water equals 8 lbs." He said.
"I move 5 gallon 5 times to take the water out, and 5 gallon 5 times to put the water in once a week." I said.
"Well, you have been lifting 40 lb a set 10 set every week! No wonder you got muscles lining up your back!" He was surprised.
"Luckily I don't even know I was training my muscle in the last 4 years, I bet I could not do it intentionally in a gym!"
You know the conversation reminded me the movie of "Kung Fu Kid", when the kid has to learn to take his jacket off and on and going on and on, before he knows it, he gets good at the basic hand-motion of Wing-Chung. Maybe I will get good at moving water later!
He asked me today: "Are you lifting weight?"
"No, not exactly, perhaps a 10 lb dumbbell here and there." I replied.
"You have good muscle tone considered as a lady's frame." He said.
"My mom used to say I am not fat, I was born with big bone." I laughed thinking about my mom before she passed away 5 years ago.
"It's not big bone, you have big muscle lining up your back, that's why I thought you are in training of lifting weight." He explained.
"Oh yes, now that you remind me, I actually move water." I replied.
"What do you mean you move water?"
"I have a small outdoor pond with goldfish in it, every week I have to change 25% of water, instead of just using a hose, I use a bucket and move the water around the garden, that is a 100 gallon pond. I don't know how much water weight." I said.
"1 gallon of water equals 8 lbs." He said.
"I move 5 gallon 5 times to take the water out, and 5 gallon 5 times to put the water in once a week." I said.
"Well, you have been lifting 40 lb a set 10 set every week! No wonder you got muscles lining up your back!" He was surprised.
"Luckily I don't even know I was training my muscle in the last 4 years, I bet I could not do it intentionally in a gym!"
You know the conversation reminded me the movie of "Kung Fu Kid", when the kid has to learn to take his jacket off and on and going on and on, before he knows it, he gets good at the basic hand-motion of Wing-Chung. Maybe I will get good at moving water later!
Sunday, April 24, 2011
blog's back!
I experienced some technical difficulties from the blog site, which my blog disappeared after I changed the server and password, luckily it was found couple months later.
during this Easter Sunday, I resurrect the blog, how do you like that?!
so blog's back, stay tuned. I would write a few times a week, in general, about nothing to everything. thanks for dropping by!
joey
during this Easter Sunday, I resurrect the blog, how do you like that?!
so blog's back, stay tuned. I would write a few times a week, in general, about nothing to everything. thanks for dropping by!
joey
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Common Sense on dog food
I have come to a conclusion that Samson (the dog) does not like to eat dry dog food. Years ago I did not have a dog yet but one of my good friend in Hong Kong told me, she was feeding her dog the best dry dog food's available, I asked her what's that great in its dog food, she told me apart from all the best nutrients, that dog food produce a firm and nice poop! So that she can pick it up easily.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" I asked. "You are feeding your dog something give you the greatest convenience, not the best food you could offer to your beloved dog."
Lately I have been reading a lot from the Palm Beach Gardens Public Library, a book called "Smarter than you think" really confirmed my belief that how bad can human food for dog? If the by-product goes into making dog food, and I have bowls after bowls of left-over, why shouldn't I feed my beloved dog human food? Which I don't eat much fried food, no heavy sauce on my food and not much seasoning other than salt and pepper.
The book mentioned this experienced trainer who trains dogs for commercial shooting and film-making, once fulfilled a request from a dog-food-mfr for an advertisement, found a very good-looking old age dog (from his family) for the shooting job. The shooting went well, everything looks great, then the advertising agency wants to promote the idea of this dog eats their brand of dry dog food to live such a healthy long life. (old english sheep dog 18 yrs old at the time of that advertisement)
Of course the trainer refused to lie, as a matter of fact that brand wasn't around when this old english sheep dog was growing up. This dog eats what the family eat, without sauce or much seasoning; but if dad is having chicken, the dog is eating chicken too, if the family dinner was beef, the dog is eating beef too, along with reasonable portion of veggie and starch.
I strongly believe if I am not feeding my dog bacon everyday, he should be fine. Samson eats table scrap, my sister was annoyed I fed the dog table scarp before I told her what the actual table scrap was in his plate. Tonight Samson eats the new york strip steak we left over from yesterday, along with steamed asparagus chopped in small pieces, roasted red bell pepper and mashed potato without seasoning. Samson gets 5 oz of human left-over food for dinner, 50% protein 25% veggie 25% carbon hydrates.
His coat got very shinny after about 7 days of feeding consistent human food, he does not have bad breath, well I have to brush his teeth once in a while though.
I believe in Common Sense, not the brain-washing advertisement those dog food mfr puts up; it's easy to do something everybody is doing, you just follow; it's hard to do your own thing and believe it's the best while the rest of the world aren't. Very simple, common sense.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" I asked. "You are feeding your dog something give you the greatest convenience, not the best food you could offer to your beloved dog."
Lately I have been reading a lot from the Palm Beach Gardens Public Library, a book called "Smarter than you think" really confirmed my belief that how bad can human food for dog? If the by-product goes into making dog food, and I have bowls after bowls of left-over, why shouldn't I feed my beloved dog human food? Which I don't eat much fried food, no heavy sauce on my food and not much seasoning other than salt and pepper.
The book mentioned this experienced trainer who trains dogs for commercial shooting and film-making, once fulfilled a request from a dog-food-mfr for an advertisement, found a very good-looking old age dog (from his family) for the shooting job. The shooting went well, everything looks great, then the advertising agency wants to promote the idea of this dog eats their brand of dry dog food to live such a healthy long life. (old english sheep dog 18 yrs old at the time of that advertisement)
Of course the trainer refused to lie, as a matter of fact that brand wasn't around when this old english sheep dog was growing up. This dog eats what the family eat, without sauce or much seasoning; but if dad is having chicken, the dog is eating chicken too, if the family dinner was beef, the dog is eating beef too, along with reasonable portion of veggie and starch.
I strongly believe if I am not feeding my dog bacon everyday, he should be fine. Samson eats table scrap, my sister was annoyed I fed the dog table scarp before I told her what the actual table scrap was in his plate. Tonight Samson eats the new york strip steak we left over from yesterday, along with steamed asparagus chopped in small pieces, roasted red bell pepper and mashed potato without seasoning. Samson gets 5 oz of human left-over food for dinner, 50% protein 25% veggie 25% carbon hydrates.
His coat got very shinny after about 7 days of feeding consistent human food, he does not have bad breath, well I have to brush his teeth once in a while though.
I believe in Common Sense, not the brain-washing advertisement those dog food mfr puts up; it's easy to do something everybody is doing, you just follow; it's hard to do your own thing and believe it's the best while the rest of the world aren't. Very simple, common sense.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Beach day
I was never a big beach person, I like to go to the beach but I don't swim in the ocean because I am afraid of the current, I got drown once when I was 8 years old, since then I swim in swimming pool only. Don't get me wrong that I do not know how to swim, I actually learnt and good at free style, breast stroke, butterfly at age 21then Victor taught me back stroke which I like to use most of the time now, consume the least amount of energy to swim the same distance.
Since living here in South Florida from 2003, we visit the beach perhaps 3 times a year. Not until we got a dog, then we go to the beach every weekend. I personally do not think Samson (the dog) was brought to the beach in its 4 years of life before we adopted him. The first beach we took Samson was the quiet beach on Jupiter Island, there weren't many people, only a few fishermen around us, we saw other people with their dogs at a distance about 500 yards away. Samson was jumpy, barking at people who walk pass the shore way ahead of us, of course I kept him on the leash at all time, did not want any trouble if Samson was not calm and relax.
It's either the ocean's effect or Samson's learning ability, he started to become very calm when we take him to the beach, the second time we took him to a beach that openly allow dogs unleashed, where is one beach north of Juno Beach. Samson was allowed to walk around freely without a leash, he greeted people and dogs who walked down the stairs onto the beach.
He pees a few drop at a time in a 50 yards circle where we are sitting, which I think it's an action of marking his territory, so Victor and I were protected. ^_^ I noticed his posture when Samson meet and greet with other dogs, he held his head way up high, arch his back and never back down to any dogs regardless of their sizes. He was able to show that "Hey I am small, but I am confident and strong!" message to a chiwahwah or a great dane.
Occasionally Samson sees a dog he wants to play with, usually small dog looks similar to him such as a toy poodle or another cockapoo, then he would run around and play a little bit, but most of the time he just spend his time sniffing and thinking and peeing. He is social if he wants to, he prefers to do his own thing if he wishes.
We are going into the 10 weeks of having Samson, he is definitely improving and starting to trust us, he sleeps more and deeper versus than being alert or insecure that something is going to happen to him at any minutes. Last night was the first night Victor walks Samson by himself after the biting event happened at the beginning of January, Victor said it was a very pleasant walk, they walked at a faster pace than I do, about 40 minutes round trip to the next neighborhood.
Victor does not understand why he got bit by Samson before while he sees Samson now is such a nice mellow dog, I told him you really can't push an animal, it does not react to your agenda of time. Victor is naturally a pushy person, I told him he was asking too much from this dog in a very small amount of time given, and it was also my fault that I did not take the sole responsibility to train the dog well first, then introduce you into the pack. I kind of let things happen naturally which was not correct. Now I understand we have to give time --- time.
Since living here in South Florida from 2003, we visit the beach perhaps 3 times a year. Not until we got a dog, then we go to the beach every weekend. I personally do not think Samson (the dog) was brought to the beach in its 4 years of life before we adopted him. The first beach we took Samson was the quiet beach on Jupiter Island, there weren't many people, only a few fishermen around us, we saw other people with their dogs at a distance about 500 yards away. Samson was jumpy, barking at people who walk pass the shore way ahead of us, of course I kept him on the leash at all time, did not want any trouble if Samson was not calm and relax.
It's either the ocean's effect or Samson's learning ability, he started to become very calm when we take him to the beach, the second time we took him to a beach that openly allow dogs unleashed, where is one beach north of Juno Beach. Samson was allowed to walk around freely without a leash, he greeted people and dogs who walked down the stairs onto the beach.
He pees a few drop at a time in a 50 yards circle where we are sitting, which I think it's an action of marking his territory, so Victor and I were protected. ^_^ I noticed his posture when Samson meet and greet with other dogs, he held his head way up high, arch his back and never back down to any dogs regardless of their sizes. He was able to show that "Hey I am small, but I am confident and strong!" message to a chiwahwah or a great dane.
Occasionally Samson sees a dog he wants to play with, usually small dog looks similar to him such as a toy poodle or another cockapoo, then he would run around and play a little bit, but most of the time he just spend his time sniffing and thinking and peeing. He is social if he wants to, he prefers to do his own thing if he wishes.
We are going into the 10 weeks of having Samson, he is definitely improving and starting to trust us, he sleeps more and deeper versus than being alert or insecure that something is going to happen to him at any minutes. Last night was the first night Victor walks Samson by himself after the biting event happened at the beginning of January, Victor said it was a very pleasant walk, they walked at a faster pace than I do, about 40 minutes round trip to the next neighborhood.
Victor does not understand why he got bit by Samson before while he sees Samson now is such a nice mellow dog, I told him you really can't push an animal, it does not react to your agenda of time. Victor is naturally a pushy person, I told him he was asking too much from this dog in a very small amount of time given, and it was also my fault that I did not take the sole responsibility to train the dog well first, then introduce you into the pack. I kind of let things happen naturally which was not correct. Now I understand we have to give time --- time.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Dispute over pee
Victor was just saying we live at the neighborhood in peace for the last 7 years, all of a sudden we get a dog, we had argument with our neighbor.
I walk Samson everyday up and down my street, one lawn down the block is Samson's favourite because the owner of that house got 2 dogs, what happened was another neighbor located on the opposite side of this favourite house saw Samson pee and poop on that lawn. (Note: I always pick up after Samson, well I can't pick up pee.) Last week, he pretended he was going to get his mail, waited until I walked pass his side walk, sure enough Samson drops a few drizzle of pee on his bushes around the mailbox. Immediately he yelled at me: "Get your dog off my property! Walk your dog in your own property! Don't bring it here!"
"Sir, I am walking on the side walk here, this is not your property." I replied calmly.
"You are wrong! I take care of this lawn too! You can't bring your animal and pee over the neighborhood!" He is still screaming in a very annoying tone.
I started to have fire burning inside my stomach: "As long as I walk my dog with a leash and I pick up after my dog, I can walk anywhere I pleased." As I walked away, I told Samson, good boy, keep peeing!
Since this incident last week, I started to bring a cellphone with me when I walk Samson, this morning, when I walked the same route, this guy came running at me from the other end of the block while Samson pee on his mailbox pole! He was yelling: "Hey! Hey! Hey! Stop that!!!"
Immediately I called the security, reported I have been assaulted by my neighbor when I am walking my dog on the side walk, ask them to come help me at once.
I called Victor at home and he drove over to speak to this guy. Meanwhile I just waited patiently with Samson a few houses down on the street. Samson was lunging at that guy I am sure it senses the un-friendly energy towards me, I said to myself I must have to calm Samson down, the last thing I want the security people to see is my dog barking and lunging at people on our street. So I kept feeding small pieces of treat to Samson in his sit down position, he was then able to stay very calm when 2 dispatch security cars came, along with Victor's car and 3 neighbors rubber-necking.
He then declare to everybody he is an attorney, I have no rights to walk my dog on his property. I told him I did not walk on his property, I walk on the side walk and the dog sniff anywhere 4 feet from the side walk and pee as it pleases, I always pick up after my dog. Samson did go on the opposite neighbor's lawn because they have 2 dogs, my dog pick up their scent and go up to their lawn to do his business, that is not your lawn though.
The security spent a good 20 minutes to explain to this crazy guy that I can walk my dog on the side walk, my dog is allowed to pee and I did nothing wrong but he just wanted me to not let my dog pee on this bushes next to his mailbox. I said no, because that is the community's side, not his property side. Victor then tried to persuade me just skip his house and everything would be fine. I said no, this is not about his house, this is about my right. And I will stand up for it whatever it takes.
I walk Samson everyday up and down my street, one lawn down the block is Samson's favourite because the owner of that house got 2 dogs, what happened was another neighbor located on the opposite side of this favourite house saw Samson pee and poop on that lawn. (Note: I always pick up after Samson, well I can't pick up pee.) Last week, he pretended he was going to get his mail, waited until I walked pass his side walk, sure enough Samson drops a few drizzle of pee on his bushes around the mailbox. Immediately he yelled at me: "Get your dog off my property! Walk your dog in your own property! Don't bring it here!"
"Sir, I am walking on the side walk here, this is not your property." I replied calmly.
"You are wrong! I take care of this lawn too! You can't bring your animal and pee over the neighborhood!" He is still screaming in a very annoying tone.
I started to have fire burning inside my stomach: "As long as I walk my dog with a leash and I pick up after my dog, I can walk anywhere I pleased." As I walked away, I told Samson, good boy, keep peeing!
Since this incident last week, I started to bring a cellphone with me when I walk Samson, this morning, when I walked the same route, this guy came running at me from the other end of the block while Samson pee on his mailbox pole! He was yelling: "Hey! Hey! Hey! Stop that!!!"
Immediately I called the security, reported I have been assaulted by my neighbor when I am walking my dog on the side walk, ask them to come help me at once.
I called Victor at home and he drove over to speak to this guy. Meanwhile I just waited patiently with Samson a few houses down on the street. Samson was lunging at that guy I am sure it senses the un-friendly energy towards me, I said to myself I must have to calm Samson down, the last thing I want the security people to see is my dog barking and lunging at people on our street. So I kept feeding small pieces of treat to Samson in his sit down position, he was then able to stay very calm when 2 dispatch security cars came, along with Victor's car and 3 neighbors rubber-necking.
He then declare to everybody he is an attorney, I have no rights to walk my dog on his property. I told him I did not walk on his property, I walk on the side walk and the dog sniff anywhere 4 feet from the side walk and pee as it pleases, I always pick up after my dog. Samson did go on the opposite neighbor's lawn because they have 2 dogs, my dog pick up their scent and go up to their lawn to do his business, that is not your lawn though.
The security spent a good 20 minutes to explain to this crazy guy that I can walk my dog on the side walk, my dog is allowed to pee and I did nothing wrong but he just wanted me to not let my dog pee on this bushes next to his mailbox. I said no, because that is the community's side, not his property side. Victor then tried to persuade me just skip his house and everything would be fine. I said no, this is not about his house, this is about my right. And I will stand up for it whatever it takes.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
China president's arrival
The Chinese president Hu JinTao just arrived to Washington today, it is a nice gesture after President Obama visited China a few months ago in his Asian trip, on the other hand, would there be any worries about the loan that China lends to USA? President Hu openly claimed that he wishes USA keep the credit he expected to an international newspaper last year.
It is a funny thought that how the system may work related to inflation, if the inflation rate gets higher and higher, the actual value of dollar would drop then US can meet the payment easier. Well there was record that US did it to Russia, it could be done to China too, I don't see why not?! It's like hey I borrowed 10 bucks from you, if I have to pay you back 3 months later, at that time if my 10 bucks face value is 10 bucks but actual value drops to $7.5 (inflation rate), I am paying you 10 but it costs me $7.5
if this happens, it will cost American people's life, especially the poor in the country.
Anyway, Victor watches Glenn Beck all the time, sometime I think this guy is a little crazy, not that I hate what he says, I am sure what he says persuade a lot of viewers otherwise no body is watching his show, especially the far right. He was talking about how China is going so strong but our nation USA is still ahead because we have creation, innovation and a great system.... bla bla bla. Meanwhile Glenn Beck was complaining how bad the Chinese factory owners are treating their workers, they only get $300 / month... sleep with 10 people a room... work 10 hours a day...
Listen, you are a factory worker, you don't stay at an ocean view apartment with double-oven kitchen, it's like a US military soldier at the bottom level shares his room with 12 other brothers, no difference.
People always ask my point of view of this, I said it very honest to them. "If you don't go; you don't know. You think you know because someone on TV reported this to you, but the guy on TV did not know much neither, he was never there!"
Not just that many friends of mine own factories in China from garment to lighting fixture to plush toys, they hire 700 workers to 2000+ workers in China, provide housing and food in the canteen. The salary a worker gets basically go to his/her own saving so they can help out their family in the farmland somewhere or go to their own entertainment such as movie, karaoke or their choices of purchase such as a cell phone or a lipstick.
A lb of bell pepper costs US$ 2.5 in Publix supermarket, the same lb of bell pepper costs US$0.10 /lb at a vegetable stand in China;
A lb of beef for stir-fried cost US$ 5.99 in Joseph's classic market, the same cut of beef costs US$ 1.0 /lb in a butcher stand in China.
The living expenses is lower, the living standard is lower for a worker in China.
(Note: I am not talking about an expat like Victor can live on that standard, nor any management positions, they require and do earn much more $ in China. Also imported and luxury products actually cost more in China because of TAX. Once Victor's cousin who owns a bicycle factory at that time asked me to bring him some cheese from Hong Kong, I bought him a few lbs of it and it costs a fortune, almost US$50 /lb and he still wanted it, regardless of the price, because of import goods was implied heavy tax due to demand from foreigners, hey chinese eats Tofu, not cheese!)
Factory owners have to deal with currency fluctuation, competitive price quoting and maintaining a quality level of the delivered products to client. The cruel fact is if USA doesn't buy, Europe does, Australia does, the Middle East does. When I traveled to trade show years ago, buyers are from all over. That's why I don't watch much TV here in the US because the view is very narrow, you don't see or hear much from a global point of view but WE THE AMERICAN think ......... this this and that.
I am an American now, I am also a Chinese, Chinese is in my blood and American is my choice, I wish both nations well and be friendly forever and ever! Now let's hope US pays back China its debt without pumping up the inflation rate!
It is a funny thought that how the system may work related to inflation, if the inflation rate gets higher and higher, the actual value of dollar would drop then US can meet the payment easier. Well there was record that US did it to Russia, it could be done to China too, I don't see why not?! It's like hey I borrowed 10 bucks from you, if I have to pay you back 3 months later, at that time if my 10 bucks face value is 10 bucks but actual value drops to $7.5 (inflation rate), I am paying you 10 but it costs me $7.5
if this happens, it will cost American people's life, especially the poor in the country.
Anyway, Victor watches Glenn Beck all the time, sometime I think this guy is a little crazy, not that I hate what he says, I am sure what he says persuade a lot of viewers otherwise no body is watching his show, especially the far right. He was talking about how China is going so strong but our nation USA is still ahead because we have creation, innovation and a great system.... bla bla bla. Meanwhile Glenn Beck was complaining how bad the Chinese factory owners are treating their workers, they only get $300 / month... sleep with 10 people a room... work 10 hours a day...
Listen, you are a factory worker, you don't stay at an ocean view apartment with double-oven kitchen, it's like a US military soldier at the bottom level shares his room with 12 other brothers, no difference.
People always ask my point of view of this, I said it very honest to them. "If you don't go; you don't know. You think you know because someone on TV reported this to you, but the guy on TV did not know much neither, he was never there!"
Not just that many friends of mine own factories in China from garment to lighting fixture to plush toys, they hire 700 workers to 2000+ workers in China, provide housing and food in the canteen. The salary a worker gets basically go to his/her own saving so they can help out their family in the farmland somewhere or go to their own entertainment such as movie, karaoke or their choices of purchase such as a cell phone or a lipstick.
A lb of bell pepper costs US$ 2.5 in Publix supermarket, the same lb of bell pepper costs US$0.10 /lb at a vegetable stand in China;
A lb of beef for stir-fried cost US$ 5.99 in Joseph's classic market, the same cut of beef costs US$ 1.0 /lb in a butcher stand in China.
The living expenses is lower, the living standard is lower for a worker in China.
(Note: I am not talking about an expat like Victor can live on that standard, nor any management positions, they require and do earn much more $ in China. Also imported and luxury products actually cost more in China because of TAX. Once Victor's cousin who owns a bicycle factory at that time asked me to bring him some cheese from Hong Kong, I bought him a few lbs of it and it costs a fortune, almost US$50 /lb and he still wanted it, regardless of the price, because of import goods was implied heavy tax due to demand from foreigners, hey chinese eats Tofu, not cheese!)
Factory owners have to deal with currency fluctuation, competitive price quoting and maintaining a quality level of the delivered products to client. The cruel fact is if USA doesn't buy, Europe does, Australia does, the Middle East does. When I traveled to trade show years ago, buyers are from all over. That's why I don't watch much TV here in the US because the view is very narrow, you don't see or hear much from a global point of view but WE THE AMERICAN think ......... this this and that.
I am an American now, I am also a Chinese, Chinese is in my blood and American is my choice, I wish both nations well and be friendly forever and ever! Now let's hope US pays back China its debt without pumping up the inflation rate!
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