My Day

Do you believe in "a perfect day"? Have you ever experienced a perfect day? Today I finally felt it. When the day was half passed, I started to sense my light and cheerful heart. Everything went so smooth and pleasant that I couldn’t help but wonder, "can this be true and real? "

I was home late last night, strictly speaking, it was almost 1:00 a.m. when I arrived home. After a shower and replying to a few mails, I finally found my way to bed at 3:00 a.m. I prayed "Please no insomnia tonight". School opens on Monday, I desperately need to sleep well tonight and tomorrow night or I will suffer badly at my first day of class.
I knew I had it coming, I should live a more disciplined life. Why did I reply to those mails at such a late hour, why not do it after I sleep? You tell me!

When I woke up this morning, I felt quite refreshed. It was 9:30 a.m. Not bad, I had almost seven hours sleep! After washing, I started to think about the plan I made yesterday for the day. Go to school and finish changing my classroom. Go shopping for some fruit and food. After the impending typhoon fruit and food will definitely run short with price much higher. A blouse for the dance program, my dancing class is going to perform for the Moon Festival. Last week I went to school twice trying to finish moving, yet the teacher who was supposed to move first didn’t do anything and I could only move boxes that I packed to put them in a tiny area. Monday Aug. 29th is the last chance to have everything settled or how can I give classes?

Because of the advancing typhoon, the weather is cooler. We had some rain so I decided to use today, Sunday, to do the work. Before leaving home, I had a second thought. I said to myself, why not read an article or two to make this day more fulfilling. I did it, had a good lunch before I finally left home. When I walked in my new classroom, not surprisingly, I saw all the stuff belonging to that teacher was still there. Astonishingly I took it quite calm. There was nothing I could do except decide how I should classify and organize my stuff. A short while later, not surprisingly again, the teacher of the classroom arrived. Of course he would have to come today, or when else could he do the moving he should have done much sooner?

I tried to help him a little clearing up and moving out the stuff he didn’t need. Then I realized I should be doing my own job. Staying there would only make my schedule worse, so I left and went to shop fruit and food. I was not upset at all, on the contrary I was delighted to leave knowing that the teacher’s finally doing his job. It was raining and showing the signs of of the typhoon. I went to fruit market instead of supermarket. I don’t like to buy fruit in the supermarket, most of the fruit there is not fresh to me. As I expected, quite a lot of people tried to replenish their fridge. The market was crowded. All the vendors were trying to clear out their goods before the typhoon arrived so that it won’t get rotten and wasted. The vendor of every stand I visited was nice and polite. They took the initiative to offer me a better price without my asking. What further surprised me was that every vendor, male or female, I visited call me “Beauty”. What’s wrong? Do I look different? No, I didn’t even put any foundation except very light lipstick. I couldn’t believe my ears. This has never happened before. Yes, occasionally a vendor would say it when they wish to sell their goods easily. But definitely not like this, they seemed to say it cheerfully. I got more fruit and food than I need and I was happy because I bought them for a good price.

Then I went to the street full of clothes shops. Hey!! I got a perfect parking place without wasting any time! I didn’t exactly get the blouse style I really wanted. Well, I had no more time to shop and had to compromise. Then I found a pair of beautiful shoes that I like very much. There were on sale because they were the only size left, the right size for me. I took them though I felt a little bit guilty. Just when I thought I was done with shopping and ready to leave, I saw a belt that would go well with the skirt I planned to wear. I stopped and took it without a second thought. After I paid for the belt, the shop owner, an old man, kindly offered to get me a bigger bag so that I could carry my stuff nicely. When he couldn’t find the right one behind the counter, he took the trouble to go upstairs to find me a real good one. I didn’t want to cause him trouble, yet he insisted and said the word I had heard three times already today, “Beauty”. I could tell that he was truly kind and sincere. I was so touched and impressed. I took and bag and thank him. It seemed that luck did not want to stop knocking at my door, he gave me another belt saying it’s free, on the house. I must have heard it wrong. No, I didn’t. I knew it didn’t cost much, but still a generous gesture that had almost never happened to me.

With two hands full of bags containing the merchandise I liked, I happily walked to my car. I had a very relaxing and enjoyable day. Not only had I not a slight worry at all in my heart, but also I had everything done very smoothly and pleasantly. I arrived at my car, threw the bags in. Then I noticed the number of the parking place my car parked – “66” -- the luckiest number according to Chinese auspicious superstition.

What else can I say for today?

Trini

Sherry’s Penthouse

I used to be obsessed with space. Having bigger room to move around in. I even managed to live with all of the extra housework. After I moved into my current small apartment closer to my school, it took me quite a while to adjust myself to the limited space. Gradually I even grow into it. I realized that small is good, too. The time saved on housework is comforting. Less spending on everything makes us trim down our desire. Furthermore the area I live in not only has better living function, but also much better traffic.

Today after seeing Sherry invested apartment in downtown, I was further convinced that small can be an advantage. The apartment is practically a penthouse. With A professional’s touch, it looks cozy and classic. We unanimously agreed that it was a wise investment, and congratulated Sherry on her smart decision. Her penthouse is located in the central downtown, yet quiet and modern with a wonderful view.

Michelle, Kate, Lydia, Pamela and I were the five who made it to Sherry’s Penthouse. Sherry has a cabinet full of beers. We played a new kind of chess, cards while chatting. It was different from our usual gatherings, except that we had fun as always. We had quite some refreshments besides dinner. The special kind of refreshment was made and brought by Pamela, homemade cookies and brownie. They won over everyone’s stomach.

How time flew? Before we realized it, it was over midnight. Since most of the ladies had to go home, the slumber party originally proposed didn’t happen. Well, maybe next time when we have a right timing and more energy to do it.

I must thank Sherry for creating such an unexpected surprise and fun.

Trini

A Lion King's Birthday

Our birthdays are feathers in the broad wing of time. - Jean Paul Richter

Harry, a T/M, a great leader, a powerful man, and most importantly Lydia’s husband; celebrated his 60- year-old birthday last night. It was a very touching and successful birthday party. All the T/Ms from the Legacy T/Ms club, some special guests from the Galaxy T/Ms club, family friends, and Golden Ladies were all there to give their best wishes to Harry and bring excitement to the party.

Lydia, the dearest wife, spared no efforts in planning, organizing an unforgettable and superb Birthday for Harry. Sherry, our idea queen, offered input from time to time till the party was finally on. All the other goldies arrived a few hours in advance to help decorate and with displays. Even Kate’s daughter Angela and her friend came to help. But most importantly I believe was Lydia and Harry’s son and daughter-in-law, a handsome couple, were there to help and greet all the guests. I felt sorry that I couldn’t be there earlier due to my family gathering for my son’s new job.

Virginia our most admirable photographer made herself available especially to take wonderful pictures for Harry’s birthday. Goldies ad some extra special shots again. Can’t say thanks enough to her.

Before all the guests from T/Ms arrived, the refreshments were well set, the hall was well decorated and beautiful hostess Lydia was beautifully dressed and looked stunning. All the refreshments look so luring, yet I could only try a few due to my already-full stomach.

James from Legacy T/Ms Club was the mater/emcee for the party. His unique style and humor created an exciting and interactive atmosphere at the party. The sentimental PPT Lydia made touched everyone especially Harry. Goldies’ best wishes from the bottom of our heart were also shown by PPT. We performed a clogging dance that we had practiced for about a month to cheer Harry and all the guests. We slipped a few steps probably because of the limited and slippery dancing floor which told us more practice together was necessary.

Time flies especially when we are having fun. It was getting really late. We gave our best wishes one last time and said good night to the happy birthday couple. Next big event of the year will be Lydia’s birthday party. Harry said he is going to throw a big surprising party for Lydia. How surprising? Let’s wait and see.

Party pictures taken by Virginia:
https://picasaweb.google.com/vlee1009/110805Harry60#
Here are some words from goldies afterwards:
You made Harry a proud father and husband this evening! I really like the take away gifts (two big auspicious buns). It is very Chinese! It is very thoughtful! - Sherry, Lady LaLa

Dear Lady Cha Cha, Your honey praised you a lot when you were not with us. He loves the PowerPoint clips that you made by yourself. To be a hostess, it is really tough job making so much arrangement. It was a wonderful and enjoyable party that I ever attended. Thanks for the opportunity to enable to show to dance and to wild. Did you give your honey a special gift last night? Cha-Cha or Cha? Ha-Ha- – Irene, Lady HuaHua

昨晚妳真是讓Harry很感動哦!因為他說在你11月生日時也要給妳一個大驚喜的Party. 我們都玩得很盡興很開心.雙喜壽桃,白裡透紅,粉嫩粉嫩,更是讓人愛不釋手. 再次謝謝你與Harry. 祝福你們全家 喜樂! 平安! - Linda, Lady HaHa

August Birthday Star – Michelle, my belle

Among all the goldies, Michelle is the first one who celebrates birthday every year. It’s coincident and interesting to think that all the goldies were born in the second half of the year.

Michelle chose the restaurant “NASSAS” for her birthday gathering. The food they serve is just my kind of food. On that night, there was also a band to perform beginning at 9:30 p.m. Chatting plus a band, it must be great fun. I brought all the wigs that we are going to use at Harry’s birthday for every lady to try on and to add variety and more fun for the gathering.. Harry is Lydia’s husband and the past District 67Governor. Indeed the wigs created a fun session for photo purpose. As usual, Sherry posed at every possible corner to take exotic pictures. The rest of us were ignited to follow suit though not that wild. I guess we were the most noisy and exciting table in the restaurant.

The band stepped on the stage at 9:30 and about time to sing a birthday song, blow out the candles and cut the cake. I asked the band to sing the song “Michelle”. It was a pity that they didn’t know the song, but luckily they had the music notes and played it for us. What do you know! From that instant, the atmosphere further heated up and went wild. We got the privilege to pick songs for the band to sing for us, they even invited us to sing along. The gathering turned into a party! Most of the customers left, the front area was completely for us. We danced, too, of course.

Seeing Michelle so happy, I hoped it was the happiest birthday she has ever had. I’d like to give my best wishes here again to Michelle:

“Wish you all the best in life, and may all your dreams come true!”

Trini