Portrait by the Bay

What Makes a Father?

When we were very young and as you towered over us, we thought God must have taken a part of a tree’s majesty and gave it to you. Then we wished we can be like you. You must have been created with the strength of the tallest mountain as you were able to carry me and my siblings altogether during our favorite playtime.

Just when we were convinced you are Superman without the cape, we learned you are also Santa Claus. How can you do so many roles, Dad? Not to mention helping Mom around the house after a long day at work. You must have been gifted, too, with the power of the eagle’s flight. And then you know the answers to all our questions. You must be a good, good man because God also gave you wisdom of ages.

We wondered if you were ever afraid. We always relied on you for strength and courage especially on scary nights filled with either thunderstorms or thoughts of boogeyman. Without a word, your arms around us provided the warmth and protection.

As we were growing up, we did not understand each other all the time. But we felt your love even when you were stern. Because now that we are parents, we understand the way you boosted us to take responsibility for our growing up decisions. We know we can be equally efficient in handing that discipline down to our own children because you believed in us and that is one of the greatest gifts we got from you.

Each time I open my wallet and see my kids’ pictures, I now understand why you carried pictures where your money used to be. When we prompt our own children that, “Money doesn’t grow on trees!” we chuckle and hear you in us. We give out hearty laughs when our kids react, “Did your Dad tell you that, too?” after we remind them “If you keep your eyes crossed, they will stick that way.”

Having daughters of our own, now we embrace the reason why you were in a state of panic when my sisters started to have their first real parties. We understand you more now, but we can never be like you. And no matter how old we get, we will still need and miss you. Your sweet legacy will surely stay.

Because we saw that you enjoyed every moment of being a father, we fully understand the bliss of hearing small voices calling us fathers!

Happy fathers’ day to all Dads, surrogate dads and even coaches or mentors who played the role of fathers to many.

An End… and A Beginning…

“To those of you who received honors, awards and distinctions, I say well done. And to the C students, I say you too may one day be President of the United States.” – George W. Bush

Today is a special day. A time to recollect all that has been during the journey that brought you here. Today is a part of the fulfillment of life’s promise, an affirmation that your family’s love, faith and support will never cease.

Just like education, relationships and memories, whether sweet or unpleasant, need to be treasured. Before today, you had good memories of countless times beautifully spent with your classmates. There were also years which weren’t so calm, but You are fighters, just like the trees that fought to keep their roots firm on the ground in the midst of a tough storm. You are here because you are strong enough to let your haters be your motivators.

Whether you are finishing elementary, middle school, high school or a degree, graduation is an important passage not just for you, but for your loved ones as well.
As your parents stand proud to see you don your caps and gowns, they rejoice the accomplishment you have reached. It seems only yesterday when they skillfully went through the hustle and bustle of kindergarten and preschool years. They had no idea this day would come so soon.

Your parents spent years filled with laughter and tears as they went through the challenges of raising you in this fast-paced world. They may worry today if they have done enough so you are equipped to begin another chapter of life’s adventures. But their hearts celebrate. They will continue to stand behind you and applaud the persons you have become and always looking forward to what you will make of your lives. You may not bring home medals, but your parents will always accept you as you develop into a unique individual who will make equally unique contributions wherever you roam.

As you come to an end of a chapter, prepare for a beautiful beginning. Share your light wherever you are. You may decide not to follow each path and make your own trail.

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.” – Steve Jobs

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When is Mothers’ Day?

In this day and age where mothers are being honored in more or less 50 countries around the world where festivities and celebrations can be done in various ways, but focus on one goal: to honor mothers.

Today, we pay tribute and say our big thanks to our first teachers, first best friend, and the one, who we thought, when we were knee-high, were angels. They come in different names – Mum, Mama, Mommy, Nana, Mor, Moeder, Mutter, Madre, Mamma, Emak, Okaasan, Maji – the list goes on, but I believe they have the same hearts, so to speak.

Fragile as she may seem, but we have always felt safe from “boogeyman” the moment she said, “It’s okay, Mommy’s here.” She’s the only person I know whose face lights up with the same kind of glow even after her kid sings the same song for the nth time.

At one time, children deem mothers to be super heroes even without the capes. They often wonder how these women can put us to sleep ahead after a long day. And yet they are the first ones who are up every single day. Even if thought we woke up so early, we would find our toasts and eggs ready.

A Moeder stays enthusiastic and sits down with her kid even during the 100th re-run of Harry the Potter. When a child asked to be read Cinderella (again!), only Mamma can say in a sing-song tune, “Sure, sweetie!” At the supermarket, instead of pulling out her purse, she clumsily puts out a diaper from her bag, but Mum can easily give out a cute smile and can get away with it gracefully.

To all the women who were mothers in their own way when provided love and shelter to children who needed them.
To all mothers who lost their babies even before these little angels saw the light of day.
To all those who stay awake all night with sick toddlers in their arms and secretly shed tear and whisper prayers.
To all mothers who escape from work to be able to watch their children in their school plays or football games.
To all the mothers whose children are victims of school shootings.
To all mothers who are victims of merciless killings.
To all mothers of all ages, career moms, single moms, housewives, surrogate mothers – whether or not you know how to sew costumes or teach your children to draw, dance or sing – we salute you! For all the loving, not to mention the numerous tasks you untiringly do each day, I must say every single day should be mothers’ day!

WILL I EVER LAST?

“A goal is not always meant to be reached. It often serves simply as something to aim at.” – Bruce Lee

Every person comes to a point when he stops, after life knocked him off his feet again and again, and asks himself, “Is this what I really want in life? Is there where I should be? Am I reaching a goal?”

And most often than not, he ends up with no answers. Just a deep sigh and then moves forward because there was no other way. Because he didn’t have any choice. After a handful of failure, he loses the guts to go on and fail again.

There’s a woman, a native of Anaheim, who was born deaf. Her younger years were filled with ridicule. She did not hide from the cruel world. Instead, she used that as her anchor. She was inclined to sports and focused on it. She earned her black belt in taekwondo. She wore her jerseys with pride and was decided to kill the quarterback as she is a part of a full-on tackle football for women.

Andrew Jackson’s friends couldn’t believe how he became a famous General and President of the United States as they claim that Jim Brown was a lot better than him. Why do the people usually say, “Three times and you’re out!” when there can be a fourth time. And who knows that might be your winning time just like Andrew Jackson. So don’t stay “throwed”. Rise and give it another one of your best shot. For all you know, people look up to you as inspiration, as faith at work.

Boxers experience a lot of difficulties that people their age don’t know of. While most would give up when being faced by hard punches in life, boxers literally take in painful punches to earn a living, to survive. While we cuddle with our loved ones on cold early morns, these champions are already out running and training and gasping for life. When we watch them during tournaments, we go “whoa!” during hard blows and ask, “Will they ever last?” But wound after wound, blow after blow and after numerous falls, they refused to feel beaten.

If your heart gets wounded by those who despise you for your failures, would you hide and wallow in self-pity or show the world that you are strengthened by wounds? It has always been your choice. Are you the rabbit or the turtle? Again, it’s your choice.

You should never let anyone tell you that you are not good enough, and instead show them that you are. And despite the wounds, the falling down and failure, you should have a ready reply to, “Will I ever last?” and it should be: Yes, I will!

San Jose Dance Theatre performing Rodrigo's Adagio at Santana Row

Check out our latest photos we did for Hua Rui dancers.

They will be performing on 5/2/2015 at De Anza College. If anyone interested to attend their performance, see their contact info below.

On location with the Hua Rui dance school!

Backstage with the Yao Yong dancers.

2015 春季舞展, Yao Yong Dance 2015 Spring Showcase

There is no denying that Spring is here ... ...

Here are some photos from the beautiful dancers of Yao Yong Dance.