It's two months into the new year. It's been raining a crap-load, both literally and figuratively. My mom has been feeling a crippling pain on her upper left arm. To make matters worse, I gave her a heating gel pad that I apparently microwaved longer than I should have, and she ended up burning her arm. The spots then didn't heal properly, and I ended up taking her to urgent care because I was worried about infection. Fortunately, the nurse practitioner said they only look slightly infected locally, and she recommended just applying ointment topically. Then of course, the rain has been relentless. We've had pretty much continuous rain every week for the last three-plus months, with a day or two of break here and there. With the rain, the leaks just kept coming. At work, I've been bombarded with work related to this lawsuit. The attorneys keep hitting me with questions and requests to review the case materials. Then the other night, some big black guy rang my bell. I answered and he started talking about saving youths from gangs. I knew where that was going, and I said I wasn't interested. He then got really rude and said, "Not interested in what? Not interested in saving lives?" I said, "No, I am not interested in someone just coming to my door. I don't know you." He went on about how where you come from, you may not be interested in saving lives and helping. I was like, WTF. Where I come from??? Not that again. I mean, I was just minding my own business in my own home, watching Season 3 of Endeavour (and getting all confused as I tend to be by that show, which I actually really like). Then out of the blue, I get insulted by some random guy spewing stuff I've heard all my life being an immigrant here. Where I come from???
Fortunately, in life, there is always hope. You can count on life to suck and constantly throw you into shit storms, But then you can always count on moments where the clouds part and the sun peeks out to show you glimmers of brightness.
This week, a contractor finally came to help look at my house and said he will get back to me in two weeks to give me some options to try. Ok sure, I've heard that before, only to have the guy disappear forever into the ether. But like I said, hope. I will be optimistic and patient. I feel like as long as I try, I will be rewarded in the end for my efforts.
And then Chi Young actually had a phone interview with a firm. I believe they are going to follow up with an in-person meeting. Unfortunately the job is in San Diego. But I think it is a good opportunity for him, and he can use it to gain experience. The first job is the hardest. And at least it's still in California. It's the first real sign of a good job potential since he graduated, so I am happy for him.
Do all these movements forward mean that the Chinese Gods were listening and are answering back? I mean, I don't want to be racist or anything, but dang, I should have been praying to them instead of those gwai lo Gods all this time. Imagine if I did this when I was all young and full of potential with all my life ahead of me, and the Chinese Gods had guided me all along. If I had stayed in my homeland, and stuck with my homey Gods with their slanty eyes, I could have been a contender! I could be married to a nice Chinese girl with nice Chinese kids, and we would all bai san as a family. Together we would make glutinous rice balls and daikon cake, and everybody will be so damn happy. Instead, I made the mistake and became Americanized and tried to be some American dreamer, only to then be constantly reminded I am not an American.
Yeah, I am an immigrant. I came from Macau. That's where I come from, you ass!
