While dining at a friend’s house on Thanksgiving evening, we talked about economies and how money was in short supply everywhere from college, to work place, and to government. From here, the topic moved to police fundraising efforts.

One guest told of this incident. When she was making a right turn on red light, she came to a full stop for a second or two. Not long enough. That earned her a ticket of nearly $200. She argued that she did bring her car to a full stop but was of no avail. Boy, she was so upset. Who wouldn’t?

Another guest told of an incident happened to his friend in Los Angeles. One evening, after he got on the highway, he just followed one car as he was heading home. After about 20 minutes, the car in front of him suddently stopped and started siren, sound and light. He stopped his car as the police approached him, asking him why he was following a police car. He said he did not recognize the car ahead was a police car and he was just going home. As he was explaining, a fine of $100 was written and handed to him. Way to rob an innocent person legitimately.

Another incident happened at the intersession of College and Antioch. Going westward on College, there is a steep downward slope right after the traffic light. It is so easy to run over the limit. Here a police once issued a fine of nearly $200 to one guest at the table.

I record these unfortunate losses so that readers will be wiser on the road.

I asked a friend of mine about this term hu you and received the following. Dear me, I am honestly confused and amused. To my humble mind, hu means “suddenly” and you means “slow moving.” Call me old-fashioned or whatever as if I cared. How can one term give birth to so many different meanings, both positive and negative? Its essence totally eludes me. I asked my daughter to see if she can do better. She looked at me, eyes wide opened. With total innocence, she shook her pretty head. Not sure if she understands much of them, though she laughed out loud over it. To be on the safe side, I just avoid using it when I am as clear as mud.

This reminds me of how out-of-touch I have been to contemporary Chinese language and culture after a quarter of a century’s absence. Stretching from this, I used to view someone who left Chinese 20 years before me as really old immigrants and I belong to the newest, the greatest and most educated Chinese immigrants of all in American history. Now as the wheel of history relentlessly turns, what say of me in front of new comers like the 26-year-old nephew and the girlfriend of my sister’s son? A generation has elapsed like a flash, soon being replaced by another new crop. Of course, I have ceased to be the newest immigrant of all.
Here’s the wonderful explanation of hu you.

As I was celebrating the site’s one year anniversary today, the site was abruptly and expectedly taken away for a few hours, as if it disappeared to the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. I registered the domain name exactly one year ago, 6/22/2008. When I failed to renew it upon its expiration date, this is what has to happen. Both my daughter and I got a bit panic. I called my son, who got it fixed in no second.

Now I learn my lesson.

My daughter said I should change the sub-title of the blog. She told me how it should be, so I did as she said. After that, I reflected on my writing, questioning myself, “Why did I start this blog? What is the purpose of writing at all?” Indeed, she is right. I have too many random thoughts to focus on one niche.

Before I started this weblog, my son told me to find my unique niche in this cyber community. I thought I had found it — my experience in raising American born Chinese children who are exposed to both American and Chinese cultures. Gradually, I blended my own experience in the blog, under the excuse of sharing with my children. Indeed, I find it hard to suppress my desire to share, every time I bump into a good book or make some noise when some ideas or thought crop out. Yes, you are right. I am making noise now.

From very beginning and all the way up to now, I have been immensely encouraged by friends, relatives, and very accepting readers — they keep coming back to my blog. I am keenly aware of my limitations in language and experience as a writer. Still, the thought of these lovely readers warms my heart, pampers my existence, and makes me going on like an Energizer Rabbit.

I would love to run like an Energizer Rabbit, capable of giving light and working ceaselessly. Yes, the desire to give light or share insight — the road thus far taken should have been paved with this lofty intention. Too bad I have not been so clearly dedicated so far. In the end, my mind is becoming clear as mud. Again, I will leave it to my children to find or give meanings to this writing experience.

Call me hopelessly optimistic or idealistic if you will.  How I hate myself for sounding so corny.  Besides, my memory might fail me occasionally when I quote from that part of my brain.  Still, I cannot help sharing this Christmas gift suggestions with the readers. 
 
To your enemy, your forgiveness.
To an opponent, your tolerance.
To a friend, your heart.
To a customer, your service.
To all, your charity.
To every child, a good example.
To yourself, respect. 
             -Oren Arnold

To my readers, much more than the sum of all the above…

I have long made my stand clear to my children that Xmas is the season of giving, enjoying and reflecting the meaning of the season, not spending, expecting, over-indulging in food, and ending up with holiday stress, financially and physically.

The children grow up here and cannot be totally immuned from the influence and activities that were hustling around. Yesterday, my son announced that he was going to buy some gifts for the family. I reminded him that we did not have this tradition of unnecessary spending during holiday. He said, “Mom, I want to buy something for everybody just to keep up the holiday spirit.” I told him I did not need anything and the air ticket for him to fly home was my gift to him, and he only needed to get something for the little cousin and his sister.  I really live up to my reputation as a stingy mom.  Some people never change.

That he did yesterday evening. The little cousin huddled his new toy and kept shouting to his big cousin, “I love you.” I agreed it will help making the season more joyful, and putting smile on people’s face if they receive something during holiday.

Yet, I was a little bit concerned. Right now, my son spends parents’ money to buy gifts for everybody. I know he would borrow money from others if I said no. I wish in the future he is capable of boosting holiday mood with his own money instead of borrowing from others.

Living on borrowed money is really not in line with what I have taught him so far. Well, considering his good intention, I make an exception for him, also in line with holiday spirit.

Yesterday morning, I was at SM East High, waiting for my daughter who was taking SAT. There were other Chinese parents waiting, too.  I saw one Chinese couple and had sensed they would rather be left alone, still I brazened out, trying to strike a conversation with them.  I kept asking them questions. They have two boys, the 20-year-old in Stanford and the 12-year-old in 7th grade, participating in Duke’s TIP. The older boy graduated from Blue Valley Northwest in 2006. The mention of BVNW reminded me of a boy, JM, who often played tennis with my son.  It turned out they knew JM and his family very well.

I further asked some more questions and found out they were not as unfamiliar as I initially thought. They never talked without being asked. I knew one of the couple. Their boy was even sitting next to my child during the exam. Yet, it was interesting to feel the distance when we were facing each other. Small world, far and cold.

I talked to my son over the phone, telling him that the house was too full of shouting and running around this weekend with my daughter, my sister’s son and the 25-year-old son of my husband’s elder sister. Cleaning, cooking and shopping took up a large chunk of my time. My son thought the 25-year-old must be busy with his graduate courses now. He must have an easy time at school.

Good question! He came back so that he could have some good food.  People have different focus in life. For him, good food is very essential. No judgment whatsoever. I am glad my son can have his eyes on bigger prize than satisfying his stomach. Otherwise, it would be too much for him to go home this often.