weekend and beyond

Weather has been pretty weird lately. Icy fog. I don't remember ever hearing such a weather term at all. I guess we'll get some tonight again.

This past Sunday I was supposed to go up to Wheaton for the Cantonese service at the Chinese church there. But it was raining all morning and with the temperature below freezing, I didn't want to take the risk. If it was just myself, I'd probably have gone... but since I was taking my parents along... Anyway, I felt bad that I still couldn't make it up there even after many invitations from my friend. Looks like I have to put it off till next year.

Had the Christmas dinner at my church Sunday evening and the barbershop chorus I am in was invited to sing at the end of the dinner. It was fun. My quartet did the "lu lu" song. "Can you feel the love tonight?" -- the song from the Lion King. We call it the "lu lu" song because the song starts off with "lu lu lu lu" instead of words. We are going to do one last show this Friday for the year. Tonight, we had the best rehearsal so far, I think. Oh... I got a small solo part in the Cantata that our church choir is going to do this weekend. Ha... I still don't know my part very well.

I got home tonight and Mom was a bit upset at Dad. So I was called upon as a judge to settle the matter. Their argument was over a tiny little thing that was not even worth mentioning here. Anyway, same old same old, my mom was complaining about my dad being stupid and not knowing what she was thinking and wanting. I think I was a pretty good judge for once. I managed to defuse the ticking bomb. It must be because Christmas is just around the corner... I am a lot more optimistic and hopeful in the past few days. I can see that my parents are happier, especially my mom. Again, I can see subtle changes in my mom which bring me great relief and joy as well.

Everything happened for a reason. A lot has been going on recently and my emotions have been like on a roller coaster ride. In the end, I think some good has come out of all these events and circumstances. And I am grateful for everything that happened even though it hasn't been an easy time. You know... I prayed all year and asked the same question over and over again. I was wondering why I wasn't given an answer. But in fact, I was ignoring the answer. I ignored my friends' advice. I ignored my parents' wishes. I ignored what was obvious to me in the beginning. Well... I tried. At least, I wouldn't be faulted for not giving my best shot.

I was told this morning at work that I have to work on a strategic plan for our environmental engineering "division" (which includes only my other boss and I). I have to identify the services we will provide, the client base, steps to take for the growth of the "division," the project timeline... I think I need to do the same for my life. A strategic plan.