I plan to take some time on New Year’s Eve to reflect on the past year and to plan for the coming year. I’ll have a post on that day but I wanted to just jot down some things so I don’t forget them.
A Full Christmas
There were a lot of firsts on this Christmas. As you know, my sister just got engaged. It’s been 10 years since my sister was in a relationship (long story) and so this was a big deal that she’s finally getting married. I think my brother might be up soon too.
My brother came from Vietnam (He’s working on a company out there) and he brought his girlfriend (She’s from Barcelona and worked in Japan for five years just like my bro – Now currently in Singapore) for the holidays. It was the first time we met his gf and we thoroughly like her. We’re hoping that she’s the one he finally marries.
It’s been a long time coming for my sister and brother. They are both well into their late thirties now so my mom has been waiting for this moment for a long time. She’s finally getting a son-in-law and hopefully a daughter-in-law soon.
Time With Both Families For The Holidays
This was also the first Christmas where we had to split our times between our dad and mom. They officially separated so this was the first time we’ve ever had to coordinate spending the holidays between both sides.
Christmas Eve
We decided to spend Christmas eve with my dad’s side, visiting our Grandma at our aunt’s house where she is staying. It was nice having everyone together. My grandma and uncle/aunt were thrilled to have a full house on the holidays. Their kid, our cousin, usually doesn’t spend it with them so this was a nice change for them.
It was cool seeing our immediate family grow. With all the cousins and friends even, we’re the last to start settling down. We’re the late bloomers so finally seeing my sister getting married and my brother getting more serious, it was great.
What was really heartwarming for me was seeing my grandma. She’s 88 years old right now and I don’t know how many more years we’ll have her. She lived with us and raised us until our early teen years. She is an incredible big-hearted woman and is the epicenter for my father’s side. I hope she stays healthy enough for her to see great-grandkids from our family.
Christmas
For Christmas, we did dim sum with my mom’s side. It was the first time my mom met my brother’s gf. They both had gifts for each other. It was pretty cute. It seems like she’s taking the relationship with my brother pretty seriously. I think they make a great couple.
After dim sum, we went to a tea place and just hung out with the siblings and their significant other. I don’t think we’ve ever spent that much time together. It was fun but my introverted side started to really kick in. We spent all morning until evening together. These moments might not happen often so I did my best to just relax and embrace the moment.
Overall, it was a great Christmas. It felt hectic, but overall it was good seeing the family together.
Huntington Library
Today, I went to the store to do a little cleaning because we fumigated the place the day before. After cleaning, I went to the Huntington Library in Pasadena. I’ve been making an effort to see new places every Sunday. It almost feels like I’m traveling to a new place when I do this and it’s refreshing to the soul.
A Little Off
While I was there I felt a little off-kilter. It might have been the grande iced Americano that I drank like water but I think it was also from being out of rhythm. I think a possibility for feeling a bit uneasy today was not having my time at a Starbucks to do my morning routine. Everything feels a bit rushed and unorganized without it. I imagine it feeling like a pro golfer and not doing your pre-swing routine.
I tried to brush it off but the feeling lingered. It really could have just been too much caffeine or just getting close to the end of the year and feeling anxious. Or maybe a sense of loneliness rearing its head. I can oftentimes go weeks without needing to spend time with other people. I consider it a superpower sometimes because it allows me to focus and work, but at other times I know it’s unhealthy.
It wasn’t anything terrible, just a slightly unorganized uneasy feeling. Nothing a good night’s sleep won’t fix and spending time with the Lord…yeah definitely spending some time in the Word, prayer, meditation, and worship. That usually helps to recenter me on the things that matter.
Brody Botanical Garden
Children’s Garden
Chinese Garden
I worked at Panda Restaurant Group so it was interesting to see the founders contribution here. 
Japanese Garden
Subtropical Garden/Australian Garden
1919 Cafe
Walk To The American Art Museum
American Art Museum
Walk to Library Exhibit
Library Exhibit
Leaving
I wasn’t sure how to feel about the entire experience. The Huntington Library grounds are beautiful but I think because it was so packed that day and the rough start in the morning, it took away from my experience. It felt hectic. It wasn’t until around 4 pm when the place was getting ready to close and most people had already left, that I found a renewed energy. The sunset was also absolutely gorgeous and the cold weather reminded me of my time in Seattle/Vancouver.
Introspection – What Really Matters in Life?
Also, I kept thinking about the founder of the place, Henry E. Huntington. I wondered if he spent his time wisely on earth (from a secular standpoint, there isn’t really an objective “wise” way to spend time) building this incredible place. No doubt, it was grand and amazing. Most people would never be able to fathom creating a legacy like this.
But from a Christian perspective, was his time spent wisely on earth? I don’t mean this in a judgemental way or even pointed at Henry Huntington. It’s really an introspective question that I kept asking myself. I think in a perfect world that God originally intended, yes building beautiful things that people are able to enjoy is awesome and something admired. However, because we live in a fallen world, is spending our lives building our personal legacies, even at the benefit of others, the best way to spend our time.
I don’t have the answer, but it’s something that I was pondering quite a bit. I think it’s great to create amazing things that people can enjoy. Art, history, nature, architectural design are all glimpses into the nature and character of God. So in that sense, absolutely it’s great to create and enjoy these things because we’re honoring God by putting his nature and character on display.
But timing also plays a role in what is wise to do. If you were on a cruise ship and your goal was to enjoy your time with your family, you’d absolutely want to maximize the fun by enjoying all the amenities. There is nothing wrong with that. But, if the cruise ship was sinking, spending your time playing games and having a cocktail would seem foolish.
Maybe we do spend time creating great things but our primary focus should be to focus on saving souls and loving people. Maybe by creating things people to enjoy is loving people. But if by creating beautiful things for people to enjoy but they never know their Creator, wouldn’t that be the biggest shame?
Big House and Big Cars
Huntington Library is nestled in the beautiful suburbs of Pasadena. The houses on display near the Library and even on the neighborhoods up to the Library are majestic. Something to be desired. The houses are ornate, lush, towering, and beautiful. But as I was leaving the grounds and passing the houses, they didn’t seem to matter to me.
I know houses are necessary. We need them to live and raise a family. But cavernous houses with a small family seems wasteful and honestly tedious. It also felt unnecessary. But that’s to me. I’m not a big house person. I love cars. But even my love for cars seems sort of pointless at times. I can’t imagine a life simply striving to get a big house and drive nice cars.
I’m not saying we shouldn’t. God gave us the ability to make amazing things and to enjoy them. But when I think of those objectives as being my sole purpose in life, it’s so boring and pointless. This is not me trying to be overly righteous. I like stuff. I won’t condemn someone for having a nice house or car. But if that’s all we strive for, doesn’t that seem so pointless when we know that one day we’ll pass on from this earth?
I think these thoughts are good for me as we go into 2020. My prayer has been to see things from God’s perspective. To help mold and shape my desires. To give me a clear and right perspective for my goals and dreams. I would hate to come to the end of my life and realize I was running fast down the wrong road.
Failed Church Attempt and Expensive Hipster Dim sum
After leaving the Huntington Library, I tried making it to Reality LA church but when I got there they didn’t have service. Apparently, they had service only once today and at another location. After the failed Church attempt, I had a craving for spicy wontons and happened to pass by a dim sum place that had them.
The dim sum was ridiculously expensive but when a craving hits, man I’m like a pregnant woman with a craving. I have to get it. Unfortunately, the wontons weren’t good but the siu mai was a hit. But I wouldn’t pay that much for dim sum.
While at any place, I tend to look at the business set up. I like looking at decor and how they build out their store. I liked the sign they had on the outside and the modern look they were going for but the signage and decor that was strewn about inside took away from the chic hipster look. It made me assume that it’s a family run business and the kids designed the place but the Chinese parents were running it.
Onwards
In my next journal post, I’ll update on the store, Unwage, and Bitcoin. I’ll also reflect on 2019 and then talk about plans for 2020. I’m looking forward to the near year! Onwards!