It has come to my attention that my friends think my life is full of excitement and non-stop action. Yet, I remind them that I'm still working over 80 hours a week, plus I have to take time to wind down, sleep, wind up, move from here to there... So that leaves very little time to really have the grand adventures that many people think I have.

"But HoCh... you're taking pictures all over the place!"
Yes, true, but they are merely snapshots in time. In reality, my people contact over the past month adds up to roughly 4 1/2 hours. That's like 9 half-hour sitcoms. Without commercials. Alas, what you are really seeing is rerun after rerun of the same Hoch-infomercial. And did you even notice the recycled pictures or images stolen blatantly from other blogger colleagues?

"But HoCh... you have so many friends!"
A-ha! Not true, but an easy mistake to make for the untrained reader. Look again. It's the same 12 people I know! Different angles, different years. I've known them for so long, they just look like different people year after year. For example, equals equals and you didn't even know it...

"But HoCh... you're so popular and cool!"
Umm. It's New Years Eve. I'll be sitting in front of my TV alone this evening... watching fireworks. woohoo. yay. oh i can't contain the excitement.

"You mean Ho Chie's Blog Page isn't real?"
It's all a facade - what Lillian calls a Broadway show. More special effects than story. Enjoy.

"Awwww"
It's OK, now you know the truth. I'll be alright. *sniffle* But I'll keep pushing forward because I just want to help all the little people *tear rolls down cheek* out there believe in something. That life can be grander tomorrow. That the New Year holds unimaginable promises for all of us. *sniffle* Just believe.

*Audience Applause*
*Ho Chie takes a bow

Hanging out with Emily, Annie, Jason, Eric, & Franklin:

Tsk tsk. Such violence! But my gun is bigger than yours!

Frightening. Truly frightening.

But I like them all anyways... TAF JHers forever.

I volunteered to give up my seat for the flight back to Cali... Now I have a free travel voucher in hand, plus a free ride back from the airport. I think I can afford to treat my roommate to dinner tonight. Mmmm... I can taste the seafood already...

What a wonderful wedding! And a nice reunion with many of my med school buddies. Indigo group lives on, though a few members were conspicuously absent. Anyways, I'm back to Cali first thing in the morning... Warmer weather, I can't wait! Yes, I am spoiled now. And weak. I admit it, very weak. That's what six months in California will do to you. No snow, please. Just bring me some sunshine.

The wedding vows and the flower shower.

Judy's bleached streaks are much cooler than mine. Hotel Intercontinental.

An evening to remember. Indigo Table #5.

With Han & Aileen. Congratulations.

Judy and Chris. Such sweethearts.

Drs. Leung, Kim, Khatkhate, Garcia, Meek, Tsai, & Chang.

I visited Jody, Sylvia, and Zachary this morning. It's amazing how much Zachary has grown since I last saw him over nine months ago. I'm happy to see their whole family doing so well. It makes me wonder if I'll ever get married and have kids of my own. And whether I'd have as much patience as Sylvia and Jody. But anyways, no hurry. I've got stuff to do, things to learn, people to see...

Well, I'm off to another wedding of two very dear med school friends, Han and Aileen. I expect I'll see several other med school friends there this afternoon. That will be nice. It's been a long six months since I've seen or talked to many of them. How fast life is flying by.

I'm sitting here proof-reading Anna's college app essays. I ask to do this for her, but the truth is, she doesn't need my help. I just want to read her words and thoughts. And all I can think about is how wonderful it has been to watch her grow up into this fantabulous woman with such wonderful writing skill. I'm sure part of it is me, too, reminiscing about the "good ol' years" at camp because I used to be her counselor those many years ago. And I remember vividly the quiet little girl that she was, pointing and shooting her super zoom camera lens every which way... As I look back, suddenly the dreamy memories are filled with insight into her thoughts and feelings. I am simply amazed. And right now, I truly miss my friend Anna. I wish I could give you a hug.

Here's a brief clip from one of her essays:

"I must have been a humorous sight to all the campers around me—a ten-year old girl walking around with a manual camera bigger than her head. The lens itself was massive enough to eclipse my face, but with the addition of the flash, the camera successfully acted as my barrier from the strangers around me. All I had to do was hide behind it, and my anxieties about meeting new people disappeared. Of course, I was rather conspicuous as the girl with the big camera, and numerous people asked rather incredulously whether I actually knew how to use the focus and the flash.

The next year when I brought my developed photos with me, I discovered that people actually liked them. The compliments gave me a bit more faith in my photography, but also a bit more faith in myself. I continued to bring cameras to camp—everything from a cheap camera with a useless flash to a digital camcorder with a built-in printer. As my technology got better and the cameras got smaller, they were losing their place as mechanisms to hide behind. After being to camp so many years, I had found a comfort in the community, and my confidence was growing.

It was rather fitting that when I was old enough for the youth program, I applied for and received a position on the slide show staff. My role on slide show put a whole new twist on taking pictures at camp. Equipped with my digital camcorder, I was to work with two other people to create a slide show for the variety show on the last night of camp. We sorted through hundreds of digital images every single night. I saw it as an opportunity to present this camp with a show that would reflect the spirit of the entire week. What I also discovered was that while taking so many pictures, the camera became an icebreaker. I was still known as the girl with the camera, or video camera, but now I would walk up to people with camera in hand and introduce myself as I asked to take their pictures.

By the end of that week on slide show, I had met virtually every one of the two hundred campers. While all of them sat facing forward watching our finished product, I faced the opposite way and was completely content with watching their faces as they expressed delight at the silly memories and sorrow at the knowledge that the week was over. The camera had evolved from being a barrier from my surroundings into a path toward my involvement with that world. It had in many ways enabled me to open up to the people around me."

The girl is bigger, the camera smaller.

The plan today is to run errands and then meet up with Dave, Phil, Brenton, Marianne... Maybe stop by Sherry's after dinner? We'll see...

Liz and Andy joined me and some med school friends.
(Phil: 15 vs. Cathy: 14)

I am somewhere. Like Chicago. And it's darn chilly. And I am TIRED! So, after working for 30 hours at the hospital, I jumped into a cab and caught my flight back to Chicago, just in time for the TAF New Year's Party! It made me so happy to see so many of my buddies in one room... from my mentors to my fellow counselors to my little sisters and brothers, now all grown up. I look at them all, and I'm reminded of what's important in my life. With a warm hug, they give me the little bursts of energy to sustain me through just about anything.

My original Junior girls - a little older and wiser these days.

The Junior High girls - who haven't outgrown me yet.

With Charlene. The black turtleneck / khaki crew.

My little Harmony! My new look? - thanks to Annie!

I love that Cleveland crew! Their spirit is amazing.

It was a rough night, but I made it through. Time to be somewhere else.

Back at the hospital. Today is out of control. And that's all I have time to say.

A couple more thank you's go out to Lillian, Cherie, Cassie & Tom... I am now off to Christmas Day dinner at Kasumi and Bill's new place. Mmmmm. I haven't eaten anything all day. Except for gummy bears.

Today marks a very joyous occasion. For on this winter's eve, all eyes looked toward the West in anticipation of a baby soon to be born. Exactly 1 year ago, on Christmas Day, a new voice was heard all throughout the Internet world. And tomorrow, we shall celebrate again... At sunrise, Ho Chie's little baby Blog marks a 1 year birthday! All blogs shall stand together and rejoice triumphantly! "Blog Blog Blog!"

A little girl in the hospital was singing to herself while she was sitting in her room all alone. The staff heard it from outside. It was so cute. I think she'll be a happy person when she grows up. I'm inspired to go wandering around on my own today and find my own music. Perhaps I'll find some hill to sit on top of so I can enjoy some cookies and milk, too.

Lake Anza in Tilden Park up in the Berkeley Hills.

I wandered to a rock ledge and ate my lunch.

The view from Indian Rock in North Berkeley.

Congrats Vic and Diana.

Six months ago, around the time of the summer solstice, I had just moved into town. I took a panoramic picture of one of the sunsets. They amaze me just as much now as they did then. Come and share it with me.

The goal is to make it through the week and be sane. I'm on call every other night starting today. The nice thing is that we're doing a little potluck tonight at work. I shall present the HoChie Mochi's as dessert. They come in Peanut flavor and Almond flavor. I am anti-red bean paste. Woo hoo! I'm getting kinda hungry thinking about them.

Thanks Karisa & Brian, Cat & Mike, Grace, Frank, Emily! Merry Ramahanukwanzamus to you guys!

I saw a beautiful rainbow today. I admired it, and I kept on driving. Then, I found the other end of the rainbow just as the sun was setting. So I thought it would be a good day to watch the sun disappear over the horizon. When I got home, I went up to the deck and discovered a gathering of people celebrating the winter solstice. I said, "How nice. The days will be getting longer now." And this graceful-looking woman responded "Yes," as she sprinkled pixie dust on me. I watched the sun fade behind the clouds. Like burning embers. Like magic. Tinkerbell and her pixie dust... A fleeting moment marking the beginning of better days ahead.


True story. With a little imagination.

So chill. I've been sitting in bed for the past hour browsing webpages on my laptop. I feel like such a bum. I'm so used to getting up way too early that even on a nice Saturday off, I can't seem to sleep in past 7 am. Perhaps I should get my butt out of bed. I think I'll attempt to make mochi today for the call-team potluck tomorrow. Mochi by HoChie. Very catchy. Oh, and I've got lunch plans with Em this afternoon. Apparently she's been at Stanford doing a fellowship for the past year. OK... butt out of bed... butt out of bed...

Excellent! I have something to do this evening. Mike is organizing an impromptu happy hour. So, I am off to be merry for a little while. Not too merry. Just a little bit merry. Itsy-bitsy-bah-humbug.

Happy Birthday Frank!

Why won't this rain let up? I need my sunshine so I can play outside tomorrow. I have to start preparing for every other night call during the Christmas week. Otherwise, I may become grumpy. That's on top of my usual Scrooginess. Bah-humbug-ness I say. Rain, rain, go away.

** HUGS **

A quiet day on call so far. Yay for me. Kids on chemotherapy should go home for Christmas I say... Yay for the kids...

My Archives have been restored... And the counter has crossed the barrier...

Thanks Bettinabooboo! You're the best!

'Tis the season once again when I'm reminded that I am such a Scrooge. I don't send out cards and gifts anymore. I have no holiday cheer. I detest snow (and all this rain in Cali). And I don't mind working every other night during the Christmas week. Bah humbug.

But, even though you won't be getting a card from me, just let it be known to the world how much I love my friends. Thanks for all the warm wishes, the nice surprises and cards, the holiday photos and school pictures. These things all mean so much to me, and I'm touched to know that you think of me. Yes you - the one reading this - checking into my blog page every so often to see what I'm up to... All of you.

Today, special thanks goes to a few people: one of my original TAC girls Carol, my long time October baby friend Sylvia and her husband and my college role model/mentor Jody, my eternal "little sib" Melsie, my dear "show me your invisible string trick" Annie, my friends Susan and Jay who I knew separately before they even met and got married, my close friend and fellow Junior counselor Sherry, and one of my most dependable friends Liz and her supportive husband Andy. Thanks for thinking of me.

Our Christmas tree. My contribution is the ducky star.

Phew. Packed schedule! I just got back from a nice little coffee break with Laura. Now I hear Rodney is in town... and he didn't know I was here. So this afternoon, it's gonna be a reunion of the boys of Exner Rd in Darien, IL... It wasn't that long ago when we were little kids terrorizing the neighborhood... Ahhh, the memories...

of growing up in Illinois... wait... Idaho?

~ ~Aiiiite now ~ ~
da Boiiiz ish rEppiN 7101, 7117 n 7121 ExneR Rd
woohoo DaRiEn iLLinoisaho."

...yeah, we wish we were that cool still...

I just learned about this nice dim sum place in a mini-mall in downtown Oakland. It also turned out to be one-stop shopping for Honeydew bubble tea and for some BBQ duck/pork. I am so set for the next few days!

When I'm post-call, my robot and I are easily amused.

Oh no! The name issues never end...

It's been a nice slow day on call so far. (I hope I didn't just jinx myself) Looking forward to tomorrow since I missed Jenny's birthday gathering and Grace's holiday party. I'm having dim sum with Susan and Lynna if the weather and fatigue level permit. Then coffee/study break with Laura. Maybe Star Trek movie with Myra. And if I'm still in one piece, holiday party at one of the fellow intern's places. We shall see.

Here's something neat. I was talking to Cindy, one of my fellow interns, while J. Lo was on TV. Turns out her dad is a tailor to the stars... Besides J. Lo, some of the names I managed to get from her were Barbara Streisand, John Travolta, Kelly Preston, the list went on... Then she said that he turned away Winona once because she wanted to pay with a credit card or check. How ironic huh? I understand he only accepts cash. She came back with the cash. Ha.

Hmmm. From reading my own post, it seems I hang out with alot of women. Interesting. I must leave that impression with people... Anyways, back to work... There are more important things to think about...

Back to work today. Lovely Saturday.

Harmony is the O.B.! The Original Babe!
She's all grown up! *hugs*mwah*

Alice is such a kyooti pie! I love her eyes!
Thanks for the pic girl! I miss you!

Oh geez. It's raining here, and evidently people here don't know how to drive in the rain. I'm watching the news and seeing reports of car accidents left and right. Traffic is backed up like crazy everywhere. So, I may have to pass up Grace's party this evening, as well as Jenny's late night birthday bash... Finally, a social event to attend, and I can't go... boo hoo.

Happy Birthday Kathy! Happy Birthday Karen!

J'aime le clair de lune autant que j'aime les couchers du soleil. Je pense que j'ai besoin d'une femme romantique dans ma vie. Anyways, life is still good. I just had a superb dinner at a Thai restaurant with Myra and Sylvia. Damn, that food was good.

Two words: Kewl and Cool.

Ives and Frank.