Farmworkers' Day

Did you have a good Farmworkers' Day? Who knows what it might be called next year. I got to golf and it wasn't bad. I was gonna pick you up earlier today, but I had to go to the casino with Uncle Peter...I was cleaning my golf clubs today and you asked if you can go golfing with you Thursday. Maybe we'll go, but you have to listen so you don't get hurt.

It rained today and will probably rain tomorrow. Luckily, you were able to stay dry at drop-off and pick up. Sorry you weren't the winner, but you were 2nd place for coming and going. It's Holy Week. Not sure there's a Holy Monday or Tuesday, but the days are counting down until Jesus comes back. I'm going to try really hard to be the best me I can be so that I can be the best father to you I can be. I'm going to need you to help though. Not sure when you'll be able to work on your emotional intelligence, but I hope it's soon. Regulating and control our your emotions will serve you well in life.

Manic Mondays

Plus you got a haircut. And they cancelled swimming...You are getting good at getting haircuts. You still need work on not saying everything you think. But that probably won't come for a while. You said the neighbor boy's mouth was dirty...He had cheese stains, probably just ate Cheetos or something...

Not that you weren't cute before, but now you're all stylish with your new do. Imagine how cute you'd be if we styled your hair and cared what clothes we dress you in? That's probably too much. I'll let you stay undercover cute for now. Sorry I can't stay home with you tomorrow. I have to celebrate Farm Workers Days with my coworkers. I'll pick you up early and we can eat dinner with mommy. She said she wants tacos. Don't worry, we'll eat at home so you can eat something else :)

Lazy Sundays

I know the day started early for a Sunday, but I'm glad we went to church this morning. We lucked out with a normal length mass (short for Palm Sunday). You got to see some surprise folks who were happy to see you as well. You got eat breakfast and go to My Gym. We got to hang out with your cousin Faith for her birthday. You got to nap. And now it's 9:31PM and you're not in bed yet.

Life is busy, but at least we got to relax after your nap. It's back to the grind tomorrow and gonna be a rollercoaster week. You're off Friday from So, but there's going to be lots of church this week and seeing family and friends. I can emphasize enough. Time is a limited resource. You need to make sure you make time for the things that are important (not just important to you). See how much we got done today and still able to have a "Lazy Sunday"? We made it happen because it's important. 

Shen Yun Saturdays

And you got to spend time with Uncle Art and Aunty Minh. They really like you. I'm sorry they had to go to the Hill or they would have stayed longer. I can reiterate and reblog enough about how important it is to have good people around you. It doesn't have to be family. It can be friends. It's up to you to maintain the relationships we've started for you and to find new relationships as well.

Remember that it's easy to be around you when things are going well. You should remember the people who are around and support you when things aren't going well. Those are the people you want around. Those are probably the same people who will tell you the truth and help you grow, even if it hurts. It can sometimes be hard to see that. I hope you do.

Short Term Memory

This is why I really need to stay on top of this. I honestly don't recall what happened Friday. I remember waking up early Saturday and eating and going back to sleep, but I don't recall what else happened that day. We played outside and I made you more bubble solution. I made you fried rice and mommy went to do the Stations of the Cross.

The end of the Lenten Season is coming. I didn't do as much as I wanted to, but I am going to put myself in a better place before Jesus comes back. I've always found this time of year where I feel extra spiritual and motivated. I hope you're able to find motivation and peace as well. Not necessarily during this time of year. I'm not going to pretend I'm writing this Friday. It's Sunday night...

Catching Up

I need to check if I can blog from my phone or not since I now have mommy's old phone (it's so big and heavy).

Sorry I couldn't sleep with you yesterday or take you to So today. I think mommy really wants to spend time with you. You should really like/love her. She's not so bad. She loves you a lot, but I get it. She used to love me a lot too. You should probably enjoy it while you can. Someday she may not have enough love or time for you. That's kind of how life is. If only we knew these were the "good times" while we were in them. That way we can enjoy them more. So I guess the lesson there is to appreciate and enjoy each day (as if it's your last). I wonder if you'll remember the good times you're having now. I don't think I remember anything before I was like 4 and my real memories only started after 5. You're having good times sir, but you always want to be home. Even at home, the times are good :) 

WWW Wednesday

I went to work today. Then I went home. Then I went back to work. Then we went home. Then we went swimming. Then we went home. Then we went to dinner. Then we went home. It was early, but you still went to bed late. We also didn't win the lottery. Lots of WWW today...

I know you don't want mommy to go to work. I'm going to keep trying to win the lottery so that she doesn't have to. At least until you no longer care about mommy going to work. It's Hump Day. Half the work/So week is over. It's almost the weekend. You'll get to see Aunty Minh and Uncle Art. Woohoo!!!

Superhero Vinh

Look what mommy got you. We also discovered the secret in the lights today. I really hope you don't keep turning on the new lights. You already have one of each color opened. Save the other ones for when those run out.

You have a kind heart and you want to help people. I hope that's something you keep forever. The world is going to challenge your kindness and resolve. Hard work and dedication will help you stay the path. We have come a long way from where Ong and Ba came from. The sky is the limit to where you can go and what you can do and how "super" you can be. No pressure. Just be happy, be good, and be able to take care of yourself and others.

Happy Birthday Uncle Peter

I went golfing with him for his birthday. Sorry I didn't get to stay home with you. I'll do that on "Good" Friday. I wonder if we'll still be living in this area when you're older. I assume so. If so, I hope we can get lots of golf time at WildHawk. I can join and you can pick up golfing there. We're behind Tiger Woods though. He started golfing before he was 2...

I'm not sure how good a teacher I will be or how good of a golfer you'll be, but I hope we can have that as a shared interest to efficiently spend time together. Sounds bougie considering where we came from financially. Although golf is becoming a more accessible activity for the common person now...

Lazy Sundays

Sometimes it's important to have lazy days. Your battery needs time to recharge. As expected, mommy didn't make us go to San Jose or anywhere today. Today, you just had to go to My Gym and church. It's good that we went to My Gym or your friend would be all by herself.

You're still as cute as ever. I think mommy realizes that you weren't a super cute baby. Mommies often are blinded by emotions. I wonder if you get anxiety about Mondays. I know you're smart, but I wonder if you have a grasps of the days yet...

Casa Rosauro

We got to spend time with Emma and company today. It was a long day for sure, but sometimes you have to have long days so you can have more time to enjoy and do stuff. You're still a kid now, but with the time we give you, you get to decide what to do. Which doesn't always have to be watching Tayo. You can do other things, but you get to decide that. I really hope you're able to make time for things and people that are important to you. Sometimes that means doing too much...

Tomorrow should be pretty relaxing. It's just My Gym and church. I don't think mommy is going to have us to to San Jose...

Mental Health

Have a written about this before? Even if I did, it's still important enough that it should be mentioned again. I hope life and the world will be better to you. I hope that you also won't have a victim mentality. At worst, hopefully you're somewhere in between. All this to say that you really need to take care of yourself. Only then can you take care of those that are important to you. With most things in life, that's the case. Make sure your affairs are in order, before getting involved with others.

Mental health is something that often gets overlooked or in some cases get misused. For me, it just means finding healthy outlets that allow you to reset and refill yourself so that you can be in good form for life. Sometimes that means swimming. Sometimes that means eating or drinking. Today, it was golf with your Uncle Mario. You shouldn't hide from the world all the time, but you should make sure you take time needed to make sure you're good. Truly, if it's important to you, make it happen. If it doesn't happen, it wasn't important enough to you...

Thanks Buddy

You really are like a Sour Patch Kid. You can be super sweet and then super sour. Thanks for leaving Bluey for me. Hope I didn't snore too loud and keep Bluey awake. You can take her back though. I think she misses you and Bingo.

Please stop being sour if you can. Try to sleep faster and earlier for your own sake and your mom's sake. You and mommy both need your sleep so you need to learn to sleep together and sleep faster so you can sleep longer. TGIF tomorrow and it's not the 13th. Woohoo!!!

Family

It's a family of snails we think. It's generally entertaining when you talk or think out loud. I know your mind is still developing, but it sucks to hear you make up stuff when you don't know. Someday you'll learn it's okay to be honest with certain things and people. You'll even become okay with not knowing things. Until then, I'll have to remember that you're just a kid when you spout nonsense...

Snails move slow don't they. When we got home, they were all gone. This is a reminder that sometimes you got to take it slow. If you keep your eye on the prize, you'll get there eventually. You're getting better at walking and not running. But you still wanted to race your classmate at swimming today. Anyhow, mommy says you're growing up too fast, but I think it's kind of slow still. This is roughly your 1342th day alive. Maybe these are the good times and I should appreciate them...

Lucky

It's nice to be lucky (good lucky, not bad lucky), but it's also important to "make your own luck". Sometimes the things we do increase the chances of our success. Be prepared is the best advice I can give you when it comes to this. One way you can be prepared, that works well for me, is to have lists.

I keep a list of things I need/want to buy. I keep a list of things I need to do. I try to start my day making a list of things I want to accomplish. Doing these things will give your days direction and will stop you from having to constantly think or remember what you want or need to do. You're going to have a lot of things you need to remember and do. Anything you can do to outsource or free up your resources, the better off you'll be to face anything that comes your way. Bonus for me is that I get satisfaction when I get to checked things off. Maybe you will to.

WWW

Sorry I have to wear buttons to work. I can’t wear t-shirts and I only have one top that doesn’t have buttons and it’s too warm for a sweater. Hopefully mommy will pick you up early today. Maybe she’ll take you to the park since there’s no swimming…

Still can’t access photos on my phone. Anyhow, I’m at work and I can’t work because I’m still locked out my my computer. This is a reminder that small mistakes or lapses in judgement can have long consequences. Often times it’s better to think or not do things rather than “deal with the consequences”. Sometimes the consequences are unknown or beyond our expectations. I’m wasting so much time now because of my lapse. Learn to develop your emotional intelligence and make good choices. 🙏 

Birthday Bash (Not Sebastian)

Another day. Another party. This one is for Aunty Melissa and Uncle Peter's birthdays. You did okay. You actually said good bye to everyone and you didn't say you couldn't do a lot and you didn't complain when you said good bye to people you already said goodbye to.

Sorry you didn't get a long nap, but we had to sacrifice. Sacrifice is a good life lesson. Life has goods and bads and sadly, you can't have one without the other. I wish you could, but that's not how it generally works. Sorry Aunty Dina couldn't come by today. You were really excited about being nice and giving her a kiss. Maybe we'll see her soon. We hope she feels better.

Get Er Done

Look, they make boba scented shampoo. You want it? That's a crazy idea as I didn't know boba had a smell. Anyhow, I was trying to clean out the cabinets of pasta and ended up buy a lot more to do it. Not ideal, but sometimes it's necessary to spend to get things done. Which is today's lesson for the day. Try your best to get things done and keep your life clutter free.

Things always come up and you never know when you're gonna go. Don't leave messes for yourself or others to clean up later. Stay on top of life or else life is going to crush you. It comes at you fast for sure. We really should have gone to church today, but we didn't and now we have to squeeze a lot in tomorrow. I know you can't do a lot either...Sorry

WWW

It only takes a moment to impact someone for a lifetime. I'm not saying this will impact me for a lifetime, but it sure did mess up my Friday. Although, if I wanted to avoid work, it's a great way to do it. I didn't take time to think about clicking on an email and that caused my computer to lock me out. So I couldn't access anymore work all of Friday and I'm not sure how long this is gonna take to fix or the longterm consequences.

A lesson to me to take my time and think. Please learn from me so you don't make this mistake. I always say, that you'll make plenty of your own mistakes in life, so don't make those repeating other peoples' mistakes. Make new mistakes LOL. Truly a Friday the 13th for sure...

Playtime Is Open

Well, it's actually been open a while, but we're making more use of it now. I need to get you some sunblock for your body. We got plenty for your face still. Anyhow, I'm sorry the fountain wasn't open yet, but I don't think the city thinks it's hot enough yet or maybe it's broken? 

No kids played with you today, but that means you got the whole park to yourself. We'll try to make this a regular thing. I don't mind paying for My Gym, but we only got My Gym because you couldn't go to the park. Can't believe it's been that long already...

Chu TJ and Co JoAnn

It was Uncle TJ's birthday yesterday. He was busy, but was kind enough to make time for us today even though he was very tired. Dinner wasn't cheap. But that's just a reminder that life requires sacrifice and compromise. It would be great we didn't have to do things we didn't want to do, but that's probably a life spent alone (which is okay, if that's what you end up wanting).

But if you want a full and fun and fulfilling life, it's going to require you to do things when you're tired. Spend money on things you do want to do. It may seem like we ask a lot of you now (which with your life experience, you're probably right), but we're preparing you for what the future holds. So if you could learn to eat spiced food and green things and to be nice to people, that would make our current lives and your future life a lot easier (and better).

Taco Tuesday

Sorry I didn't take a photo of dinner. It was good for mommy. So good, she got an extra one. Good thing I only had one (and a half, if you count your taco shell I ate...). I'm not sure if you liked it or not. I tried to get you rice (something you're used to) and shrimp and beef. The beef was probably a little tough, but I cut it into little pieces to make it easier for you. At least you go to try some new flavors...

You really need to get a grip on your peeing...I hope something isn't wrong...You seem to pee a lot. You don't tell us. We just happen to see your restless legs. I had to make two stops and use to pee bags today. Not a big deal, but I'm not sure how long you'll fit on the mini toilet. Try to go before we leave places okay? I don't mind using diapers overnight, but I'm guessing we probably need to stop that. You've been pretty good about waking in the middle of the night, but I wish you'd stop drinking water and make it until morning...

Catching Up

Sometimes you have to make sure you take time for yourself. Daddy was really tired today. He woke up early to make sure mommy wasn't late for work. And I stayed up late to finish laundry and cleaning. Anyhow, isn't spot under my desk cool? Unfortunately, it's not completely hidden from the window, so hopefully the chair will hide me.

I took a nap today after blowing bubbles with you. I wish I had a picture, but I was busy making bubbles for you. You seemed to have fun popping the bubbles with the garden hose. I'm worried you might like shooting stuff too much. You also liked cleaning with the hose, so maybe that will be a good thing. The one good thing about daylight savings is now you can play outside after we get off work. And hopefully the warmth will stop your congestion. I had to use my boxers to wipe your nose...

Daylight Stealing

An hour was stolen from you today, but it seems to not have really affected you. You're still as cute as ever and also still as frustrating sometimes. Anyhow, I was really proud that you prayed on your own at church today. Hopefully, God will hear and answer your prayers, whatever they might be. Fingers crossed it's for the health of your friends and family and not for a monster delivery truck (I can buy that for you, save your prayers for things I can't buy...)

I hope you can wake up early tomorrow. It's gonna feel like a long day. Keep your positive attitude. Life isn't what happens to you, it's how you react. Make life out of lemonades, even if life steals an hour from you...

Happy Birthday One

Family. Yes, you're blood, but that doesn't mean you owe them anything, aside from being amicable. Being mean is too much work. But remember, you didn't choose them so you don't have to like them, but I hope you do (I hope they're nice people too).

Sorry, Faith isn't in the photo. The one she's in you're not smiling. It's better to be alone and have good mental health, but I hope you don't have to do that. Like I said, you should never feel alone because they're are so many good people in your life. I hope you develop your own good relationships as you grow. They'll be the best gift you can get on your birthday :)

Simple Advice

One of the goals of this blog is to provide you with knowledge/wisdom that I think is helpful. Sadly, in case I'm not around to give it to you directly. I don't know if the world will change in your lifetime or if the current expectation, that you as a male, are expected to put your own happiness to the side for others. I sure hope not. But if it is, I hope you take this advice to heart. I hope it helps you stress less and cope better with whatever it is that you're going through.

This is how I hope your life will always be. Gleefully happy and full. My advice for you today when faced with anything in life. Ask yourself, is this important and if it's not, don't worry about it. If it is, as yourself a second questions, can you do anything about it? If not, don't worry about it. If so, do something. Simply, "it's not that serious" or "it is what it is". A simpler version of my life in 4 boxes...

Lists

I don't know if my list of things to do will ever be empty. I doubt it. But there definitely is satisfaction when something gets done. You probably won't appreciate this now. Not sure mommy will either, but I was able to get rid of the stain that was here in the Master bedroom. I was also able to update shows for you and mommy to watch.

Anyhow, I really do hope your list isn't as long as mine. Since you don't need to worry about taking care of mommy and daddy (hopefully) or any siblings (hopefully not), there should be less for you to do. The only thing I hope for you its that you live a happy and healthy life. Be able to take care of yourself and others. 

Good Job

Sort of. I don't remember how bad you used to be with swimming so I can't say how much you've improved. There's still tons of work to do. You need to learn to always breathe out when you're under water. That might make it easier for you to put your face under water. We have your goggles for a reason.

What I did notice is that you are having more fun. Sorry the picture was cuter. Pictures don't do justice in most cases anyways. You are smiling and doing what the teacher says. I just hope you're not having too much fun where you get distracted and hurt. It's going to be hard to practice, but maybe mommy can take you to the pool on Sundays or we can try the tub at home...

Upgrade

Look how lucky you are. You got a phone to watch your shows on. I'm sorry it doesn't allow you to use it away from home since my hotspot is so slow. But it's something you can use while you're home. Anyhow, it's just another example of how lucky you are without even knowing it. People love you!

Daddy got you more fancy jerky snacks today and Aunty gave you goldfish and some other treats. So packed some chips so you could eat in the car on the way home. Mommy is hanging out with you know and sleeps and wakes up with you. Now you need to start listening the first time. Mommy is still counting to three, but I'm gonna count to one or sometimes not count. You have to learn the hard way since we tried the easy way...

Lunar Eclipse

There have been quite a few astronomical events that happened during your life. I'm not sure how many we actually had you experience, but there is another one early morning tomorrow. I don't think mommy is going to want to wake you or watch it herself though, sorry.

I'm hopeful that'll you'll have more opportunities in the future, but that may or may not be the case. All this to say that it's important that you take advantage of opportunities as they come because they may not come around again and they may be potential pathways to great things. I hope you learn to quickly and effectively evaluate life decisions. I'm not sure how to teach that. Being frozen by indecision is not a good thing. Speaking of being quick, stop making mommy and I repeat myself. I'm not counting to three. I'm only counting to one now.

Mondays Come Too Soon

It was just Friday and now it's Sunday night. Time flies. I'm sorry you didn't get to go to church. I know that you don't always like going, but Jesus and God and Mary and Joseph and all the Saints and the old ladies miss you.

When you become an adult. You'll be able to make your own decisions. While we'd like to control what you do because we think we know what's best for you, ultimately, there's only so much we can do. Until then, please trust and believe that we do everything for what we hope is good for you. May your foundation and moral compass be strong and guide your future. This we pray to The Lord. Lord, hear our prayers.