ho chie's blog: 08.2005

Considering that I have so much time on my hands, why do I still have so many errands and tasks to do? I don't get it.

Over the past few days, I'm pretty sure I've logged more than 30+ cumulative hours sitting here at Espresso Royale with Nancy. It's made my study time that much more enjoyable. Now I'm sure I need one of these comfy office style chairs at home...

Thanks Nance. Much love.

Kelly!

Lunch with Gloria, Nancy, Erin, Nick, and Ted.

Yup. I'm in Michigan.

Me, Jess, Dan, Amy, Nance, Ted.

Hard at work. Umich's Espresso Royale.

Michigan TAF reunion, Andy's house.

Justin woos the women with some karaoke action.

Workin' the DDR moves.

Jackie, Pochacco, and video games.

Lounging with some of the Youth.

Smiles all around.

Now that's a slideshow!

Role models.

*hugs* Nicole! The "Do Nothing" position.

Everyone.

Random. I joined Mike at a happy hour event last night in the city, and just when I started thinking it wasn't any fun not knowing anybody, who come by to say hello? Louise's boyfriend Eddie who we both had just met two weeks ago. Soon after that, Ben walked by, recognized me, and said "You're Margaret's friend, right? Margaret from New York?" Apparently, he grew up in Connecticut with Margaret, Karen, Steve, Alex, Tina...

You just never know who will turn up someplace. Yea, random.

June is my study buddy today. Yay for study buddies! And hooray for wireless internet cafes!

Studying. But, uh-oh. It's getting a little too sunny and nice for studying...

Unsettled. Bored. Restless. Stressed. Avoidant. Impulsive. Lost. I am all these things right now.

My last year as the Junior Program Director was in 1999 when TAF was still being held at Calvin College.

And, we've got a winner... It's the Cosmic Bubble Blasters of the TAF 99 Junior Program! They hold the highest return rate of campers at a record 75% even six years later... That's out of this world! Fact: 21/36 of the campers that year were still attending in 2005. Cosmic!

Digitally remastered Cosmic Bubble Blasters yearbook page.

Yearbook pages for: Vic's Hot & Spicy Juniors, TAFire, TAForce1, the Junior Counselor Staff.

I miss Vanessa. I think she should move from Seattle to the Bay.

Overheard yesterday: "Maturity is over-rated."

Agreed. I will never grow up.

This morning studying thing isn't taking off as planned. I need the Fear. Or some serious butt-kicking.

It was a sunshiney day today!

Because of Lisa & Nancy!

Me. One and a half years old. Niagra Falls.

I've been hanging out with too many Taiwanese American people in the past 2 months for sure. I love you all, but I must diversify. But how?

The Kitchen Scene in 2 Acts:

9 am Saturday morning. Ho Chie is cleaning up the kitchen, post-BBQ. He rinses some dishes and puts them into the dishwasher. Garbage goes into the can, and the recyclables are sorted. Underneath a paper towel on the counter, he finds two brownish golf-ball sized hard fruit, which he doesn't quite recognize. "Hmm... they're kinda hard," he says as he knocks them against the counter. After five minutes of slamming and prying, he gives up in frustration, utters a few profanities, and pitches the fruit into the garbage.

6 pm Monday evening. Ho Chie is chatting online with Annlie and the mystery of the invincible fruit is revealed:
cellophaneyellow: oh
cellophaneyello: i left you the avocado seeds
cellophaneyello: so you could grow them
HoChie71: thats what it was!
HoChie71: i was like...
HoChie71: "this is a damn hard fruit.
HoChie71: how do you open this thing?"
cellophaneyello: HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
cellophaneyello: yeah
HoChie71: you should've seen me
cellophaneyello: HAHAHA
cellophaneyello: o man
HoChie71: hitting it against the counter... swearing...
cellophaneyello: i think i would have died laughing
HoChie71: "i need a friggin hammer"
HoChie71: "what is this? some biblical fruit?"
cellophaneyello: hahahahahaha

Brunch with the next generation Bay area TAF Love crew!

TAF goes to Denny's! Wuuuhaaa!

Me, Cindy, Maggie, and Chris!

More bubble tea! And more Gloria too!

TAYL Reunion! There is no end to my community...

BBQ and pool party! Jen & Cec.

Anny is moving to NYC soon...

Cindy, our host. Ivy rocks!

How many licks does it take? Yush, John, and Christina find out.

Shu, Ivy, Iris, and Irving.

Erika, Anny, and Mike.

Bubble tea break!

TAYL love and smiles!

Group A reunion. Oh they look so happy...

"TAF Love" Bay area reunion!

And the Taiwan Tour reunion!

Group games: TAFers vs "OTAC"

The craving for Taiwanese shaved ice!

Sophia, Bear, & Annlie! Umm, that's his butt...

TAF 1992 Junior Counselors.

Susan, Loui, Helen, Cindy, and me.

Tonight, a visit from Susan 13 years later.

Fifteen years ago, during TAF 1990, with 94 participants in the combined, but distinct Junior and Junior High Programs, our staff saw a need to better serve a growing population of young Taiwanese Americans. The following year, during TAF 1991, we made huge leaps and bounds by creating the first separate Junior and Junior High Programs - with dedicated staffs, different spaces, new ideas, and an outlook for the future.

Today both programs are flourishing with energy and spirit like never before.

In 2005, just about every one of those early campers and staff has now graduated college, and once again, many caring TAFers have recognized the importance of serving this new wave of Taiwanese American college students and young professionals. We are a community reaching critical mass.

The difference between now and then? A mission and vision was born, and we all share it.

One day, we will look back and know that the revival of the TAF College Program started right here and now. It was right. It was time. And like pieces of a puzzle, the big picture is almost complete, and a pretty picture it will be.

Fourteen years ago, to the date.