I'm chatting with Ranee and reminiscing back two years ago to our short rendezvous during our Europe trips. We shared so much - walking, talking, eating, hosteling. Good times. It's all coming back to me. She rediscovered a letter I wrote to her, right before we parted ways. I wrote it with so much heart because I felt like I discovered a true friend. After all, I remember literally chasing her around the streets of Florence, Italy one evening because I was so worried about her. If friends can't do that for each other, then I don't know what friendship is. The ups and downs of life remind us of the people and things that are truly important.

Life gets a little more hectic starting tomorrow. I usually expect it once in awhile, but to know that it's going to last for three months is depressing me.

I met up with Anna for bubble tea, and we talked for hours about topics ranging from Taiwanese American organizations to mission statements to networking skills. Well, maybe it was mostly me talking, but she was a darn attentive and captivated listener (which by the way is a good skill to have if one is a leader in an organization). But basically my conclusion was that she already had all the "right" skills, which come very naturally to her. Even if she didn't realize it. So now, she has made my list of Admirable People Bound to Succeed in Life. I'm feeling quite inspired by her at the moment.

My med school friend Raj and his wife Anita are visiting me today. We hopefully shall make the most of a rather cloudy and cool day here in Berkeley.

How strange it feels to take care of child brought in to the ER, say by helicopter or ambulance, only to find out later that the tragic event made the news. It is a bit surreal.

How gut-wrenching it feels to have to make decisions regarding the care of a another child who suffers from serious traumatic injury. It is quite a responsibility.

How sad it feels to have to tell the parents of yet another child not to worry until we know the results of all the tests, but deep inside, my greatest fear is that it will ultimately prove to be life threatening. It is so uncertain.

On days like these, I wonder if I'm blessed or cursed to have medical knowledge. It is so disorienting.

2004 Taiwan Election Results: A Prediction, a Reminder, or just a Coincidence?

Total Number of Votes Cast: 13,251,719
Chen Shui-bian (DPP) votes: 6,471,970
Lien Chan (KMT) votes: 6,442,452
Invalidated Ballots: 337,297

Chen - Lien votes = 29,518
Total votes - invalidated ballots = 12,914,422

Therefore, the margin of victory = 29,518 / 12,914,422 = 0.228 %

228. February 28. Yeah. You do the math... hmmm...

228 Incident refers to the KMT's bloody crackdown on civilian demonstrations in 1947 that followed an incident in Taipei on Feb. 28 of that year. KMT-Led troops carried out a crackdown which led to the slaughter of tens of thousands of Taiwanese. A tragedy never to be forgotten.

My next door neighbor Hanah is pretty cool. She's super techie with all her new computer toys/accessories and lingo, but in such a non-nerdy way. Kinda like me.

Well, at least I hope I'm not nerdy.

Since she came back from her spring break quite early, I thought it would be nice to hang out with her a little bit. So, I invited her to have breakfast with me this morning at Fat Apples in Berkeley, which serves yummy pumpkin pancakes. Good stuff, those pumpkin pancakes. I wonder how they thought of that recipe or who accidentally spilled the pumpkin pie mix into the batter before discovering the tastiness of the combo.

Anyways, hanging out with Hanah was a nice way to start my (extremely long work) day. It's refreshing to know that she's probably more tech-savvy than 95% of even the male population out there. I mean, how many people out there actually are interested if Macs can or need to be "defragged" in order to optimize processing time? Heck, I don't even know what she's talking about. But it's appealing in the same way that women who use power tools or can fix cars draw attention. Hmm. Kinda sexy, now that I think about it.

OK, back to the comfort of my warm taro bubble tea. I wonder if there's such a thing as pumpkin pie flavored bubble tea? I claim credit first if it ever catches on.

Hump Day Party. Sounds a little bit risque to me... Well, that's what my classmates are calling it. We're hanging out tonight at Tricia's place to celebrate the fact that we made it past half our residency training. Unbelievable. I still feel like I know nothing.

Children's Hospital Oakland Residents, Class of 2005.

Marlene bartends. Priya, Li, Joan.

Camille & Jessica by candlelight. Capturing the moment.

Betsy, Diana, Ho Chie, Anita, Jessica, Sayali, Cherie.

Reconnected with old buddy, fellow APA activist, Gene from Chicago, who found me online. Also, med school friend Raj is in town, and we hope to meet up next week. I'm currently reminiscing over the good times back in Chicago. Life has moved me in such different directions over the years. It's all good, though.

Home. Perspectives.

Frames. Heart.

Spot. Orchid.

Keychains. Goodies.

Silly. Glow.

Tech. Natural.

Cafe time... There is work to be done.

While chatting with Karen and after reading her blogs, I realize that I am addicted to her and her viewpoints. They are written so poignantly and with such zeal. I hope that she one day becomes a famous motivational speaker doing the circuit. I picture myself sitting quietly in the front row, taking it all in, and being inspired about life. And after every session, I would say "wow."

Ah. Sitting at Cafe Strada sipping on a mint mocha. Brisk weather. Sunset glow reflecting off overcast skies. Chatting with my friends online. They are wonderful. I love it. Day off tomorrow. Life is good. Wish you all could join me.

I need some sleep.

My cousin Eddy is in town. I wish I had more time to play. But at least dinner was good.

Taiwanese food. Excellent.

Eddy, Lily, Doris, Andy, Gary.

Mmmmm... Dim sum with Sylvia and Cherie!



Followed by a walk on the beach.

Congratulations A-Bian and Annette. Bullets have never stopped a revolution.

Work. Sleep. Eat. Sleep. Play a little. Eat. Work more. I will be a machine this weekend.

Nap over. Off to Kristin's birthday bash before heading back to the ER overnight shift.

Birthday girl! Single flower on the right indicates "I'm single." Hmmm.

Nighttime BBQ

Photos from the "In Red & Black, Splash of Green" cocktail party

Click me.

Whoa! TASA at Berkeley!

Chillin' on the plaza.

Ivy and HoCh! Clock tower bells.

Hanging above Berkeley.

All good things come to an end...

It feels good to be on vacation and hanging out with friends. So this is what it's like to have a real life...

Iced coffee at Cafe Milano on a nice sunny day.

A walk down the Berkeley Pier.

Then chillin' back at the apartment.

Entertainment provided by Dave and Brendan.

Pizza and wine at sunset.

As the sun sets over Berkeley.

Hiking the Berkeley Hills. And getting lost.

Back on the Berkeley campus with Anny and David. The helmet cam.

Brendan, another surprise TAF visitor in town!
Me, Lester, Young, Brendan, Michelle, and Dave.


And a simultaneous TAF reunion at my alma mater, UIUC:
Photo courtesy of Jon. Thanks dude!

Gill, Alex, Albert, Jessica, Ming, Justin, Tiffany, Jon, Ruth Ann
friend, Jeff, Queena, Jack, Julie, Anna, and Lauren.
Present, but missing: Timmy, Bryan, and Roger