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Missed By Two Blocks

whew!!!  i was at the far west end of old town pasadena, west of delacey, dropping someone off at banana republic when all of a sudden, some intense undercovers rolled with sirens lookin like they were on a mission.  so i stopped at the intersection letting 'em pass since i was the first car anyway.  i had to potty, so i drove to ralphs which was across from rusnak pasadena and the norton simon museum.  i did my thing and waited for the call to swing by br to pick up again.  so east towards arcadia we go...but colorado blvd at fair oaks was blocked off and a lot of bystanders were just observing.  hanged a left and hopped on the 210 east to arcadia.  sure enough, the story's posted on abc.

being at the right place at the right time sure hit home this time.

http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/local&id=5856999

 

Local

Man shot in Old Town Pasadena

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

A man in his 20s was shot in the lower back in Pasadena's Old Town Wednesday night, police said.

The shooting occurred at 7:30 p.m. at 12 E. Colorado Blvd., between Fair Oaks and Raymond Avenues, police and fire officials said.

Two men were reportedly arguing outside a store at 20 E. Colorado Blvd., according to Pasadena police.

One man fired four shots, striking the other man once in the back. No one else was struck.

The victim was taken to a hospital, where he is listed in stable condition.

A suspect and a weapon were taken into custody, said Lt. Randell Taylor of the Pasadena Police Department.

The victim's wounds were serious, but not believed to be life-threatening, according to Lisa Derderian of the Pasadena Fire Department.

A television crew on scene doing a story about the cold reported that three gunshots rang out and the victim fell in the middle of the street.

A doctor came over to help while paramedics were on their way.

One bullet hit a window, but no one was in the store, the station reported.

A large number of people were on the street despite the cold.

No motive was known, Taylor said.

Christmas Day

So far it's been a lazy Christmas.  Got up at 9:30 a.m. thanks to well-wishing Christmas texts, opened a gift, dyed somebody's hair, watched part of the ABC Walt Disneyworld Christmas Parade, checked emails and purchased two items online.  Goodies should arrive just in time for my big day. 

For the rest of the day, I'll inload photos from my parents' month-long trip to HK, Canton/Guang Dong and Shanghai, finish Spiderman 3, and Pirates of the Caribbean At World's End, maybe take a drive to see Christmas lights (like we do every year), stop by someplace to pick up a plant or some flowers and visit my beloved gramps at the hospital.

*** Update 9:50 p.m.  Ran into an old friend at the hospital as I walked out from visiting Grandpa.  I thought he was with San Marino PD, but turns out he switched over to San Gabriel PD, cause he was on patrol.  Had dinner at the new Din Tai Fung.  Arcadia, Sierra Madre, Hastings Ranch, Pasadena, Altadena, Mendocino Lane Corner Mansion Christmas Display, San Marino, and we finally made it home.  DOH...I have to take my meds tonight—Which reminds me, good thing I don't have NYE planned out yet— I can't drink 24 hours before meds and 24 hours after! ***

Christmas Eve: Costco, lunch with cousins, stopped by the mall and picked up CeFiore, dinner at a neighborhood mom 'n pop restaurant, rented DVDs, watched Knocked Up and Ratatouille.

Merry Christmas!

Counting down 15 minutes til Christmas.  Good family, good friends, good food, good company.  I couldn't ask for more. 

Thank you!

The Capricorn

Fun Facts About Capricorn
December 22 - January 19


When it comes to professionalism, and traditional values, Capricorn wins hands down. This practical sign loves to tackle life in the most conventional of ways, leaving no stone unturned. Considered the most serious-minded of the signs, the Capricorn possesses an independence that allows for considerable progress both personally and on the job.

Friends and Family
Combined with a strong wit, and a love of humor, the Capricorn makes for terrific company for those they choose as friends. They will surround themselves with those that are honest, loyal, and like-minded when it comes to working values. They cherish loved ones, and will go any distance to help a friend or family member out. Traditional by nature, the Capricorn loves nothing more than holidays such as Christmas that bring people together with a variety of activities. While a Capricorn isn’t apt to have a large social circle, those included in this sign’s life will find someone who is steadfast and true. Emotional displays are not common for a Capricorn. They would rather show how they feel through deed than express by word.

Career and Money
Ambition is the keyword for this sign. The key phrase for Capricorn is “I use”. The Capricorn possesses a real knack for finding the right tool for the job, and getting down to it. Starting at the bottom of the ladder, and working their way to the top doesn’t scare the Capricorn off. They will go the distance once a goal is set.

Setting high standards for themselves, honesty, perseverance, and dedication to duty makes the Capricorn an excellent manager. Honesty, loyalty and a willingness to work as hard as what’s necessary are qualities that this sign values greatly within themselves and in those around them. Careers in management, finance, teaching, and real estate are excellent choices.

Capricorns are resourceful and manage their time and money well. Every now and then, the urge to spend some hard-earned cash can see this sign packing some large shopping bags with fun and frivolous items out of the store. But as a rule, caution goes hand in hand with the Capricorn making practical purchases more likely than does anything else. Multi-functional items are definitely favored.

Love and Sex
The Capricorn is most often a serious lover preferring to take things slow and steady. You won’t see this sign jumping into anything headfirst. Taking relationships one step at a time is the way of the Capricorn. Words can be few with this personality, yet action speaks volumes. The Capricorn values deed and will go to great lengths to express their affections. They’re great gift givers, and don’t bat an eye at the costs of spending a fantastic night out. Genuine, and sincere, you can take what a Capricorn says to the bank.


TID-BITS

Health
Each sign has a part of the anatomy attached to it, making this the area of the body that is most sensitive to stimulation. The anatomical areas for Capricorn are the knees and lower legs.

The knees and lower legs?!!!?!?!??!!?!?!!?!

Ruling Planet
The Ruling Planet for Capricorn is Saturn. Considered the taskmaster of the horoscope, Saturn rules theories, scientific law, patience, timing, tradition, conventionality, and the productive use of time.

And I got rid of my Saturn.

House
Natural sign of the Tenth House. This house focuses on reputation, profession, authorities, and status.

Opposite Sign
The opposite sign for Capricorn is Cancer.

Compatibility
Capricorns are most compatible with Taurus and Virgo.

Colors
The color of choice for Capricorn is brown. In fact, most dark colors do well for this sign.

Gemstones
Capricorn’s star stone is the Black Onyx.

Lucky Numbers
Lucky Numbers are 6, 8, and 9.

The Perfect Gift
The best gift for a Capricorn is something practical or multi-functional.

Likes
Family events, music, work, traditions

Dislikes
Show-offs, frivolous bobbles, excess, tardiness

Famous Capricorns
Ava Gardner, Andy Rooney, Joan of Arc, Marlene Dietrich, Janis Joplin, Martin Luther King, Elvis Presley, Muhammad Ali

GhettoFab

I was doing some Christmas shopping/browsing online and look what I found: Ghettofabulous!

My Beloved Grandfather

My grandfather has been hospitalized for about two months now.  I've learned so much about him, my late grandmother, his wife, and my ancestors in the past few days than I ever thought I would.  He's such an amazing, intelligent, compassionate man.  It blows my mind, how full of substance and rich my family background is.  I learned that the family has property in Shanghai, that can be reclaimed, how educated my great- and grandparents are.  I stood in awe when I learned this.  So when I see him in the hospital now, I feel so helpless.  The best I can do, is to visit as frequently as I can and converse with him, even if he can't respond.  I have so much respect for him, for all that he's done for the family, and all that he's contributed to society. 

He received his undergraduate back in Shanghai, attained a graduate and Juris Doctorate degree from University of Indiana and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, respectively.  He led a 20,000+—person protest.  He later joined the U.S. Army for seven years— when he wasn't even an American citizen yet.  And his father, my great-grandfather graduated from MIT with an engineering degree. 

I was told that my grandfather recently voiced some regrets that come as a shock to us.  Either way, without a doubt in my heart, I know he's lived a full and happy life.  He's had more than his fair share of trials and tribulations, and he's a great man who made an impact on countless lives— and I'm not speaking of the impact he made on our family. 

He's the utmost respected man I have ever personally known and I'm proud to be his granddaughter.

:)

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My Dear Lau Tse

Wo de ching ai der lau tse writes:

Believe it or not......[ Fill in the blank ]
Sooooo, what is the latest update about [ Fill in the blank ], etc....... and what are your plans for this coming holiday season.
Don't know if I mentioned to you, that I just HATE this part of the year, for some reason. I was so depressed last New Year's Eve, that I just laid in bed all evening long, and actually shed a few tears here and there.
Can you imagine that???????Silly old lady huh!!!
Write,
Ni-ter-ching-ai-der-lau-tse.

HA!  That's why she's wo de ching ai der lau tse...!  

Caught A Bug

In the past two weeks:

3-day San Francisco Conference
A trip to Disneyland reunion
Two Christmas Parties
    One of which was somewhat of a 10+ year reunion:
        High School Sweethearts (Now engaged)
        Dr. & Mrs. Chung (whose kids I grew up with in church)
    Lounge/bar stop
A Family Reunion
BMW Service Appointment
    The loaner is a metallic red wine color, I like that it's different
A Doctor's Appointment
And now I'm down with the flu— and I already took a flu shot!  It must be another strain of the darn flu.

Speaking of Disneyland, it seems as if I haven't been back in 10+ years.  I don't remember Indiana Jones because I loved it so much this time that I went on it twice.  Tim Burton's Haunted Mansion in holiday decor was awesome.  Holiday Small World was beautiful with holiday lights lit outside.  Finding Nemo was ok..cool graphics.  They incorporated Jack Sparrow's character in most of the Pirates of the Caribbean scenes.  I think I'll be visiting The Happiest Place on Earth during the holiday season only.

Tarnished

She brought me a string of bad luck and she'll feel the wrath of guilt, until it's cleared, for the next 1.5 - 2 years.