Fight On...Always FIGHT ON!

This was quite inspiring.



I've recently experienced some back issues, so I may give DDP Yoga a try.

Fight On...Always FIGHT ON!

Trying Vibram FiveFingers Bikila

I've been wanting to try the Vibram FiveFingers for quite a while now. However, the $85+ price tag has kept me at arm's length...that is until I found these at a Ross Dress for Less store for less than $40! You know I couldn't pass that up. :-)

I've tried the New Balance Minimus and Nike Free shoes and love them, so I'm hoping I like the Vibram FiveFingers as well. However, these won't be for normal walking around. I'm going to use these as my exercise shoe and see if they'll help in my workouts.

The pair I purchased is the Bikila and per the Vibram FiveFingers website these are "designed specifically to promote a more natural, healthier and more efficient forefoot strike." In addition, Vibram FiveFingers claim the following benefits:

1. Strengthens Muscles in the Feet and Lower Legs—Wearing Vibram FiveFingers will stimulate and strengthen muscles in the feet and lower legs, improving general foot health and reducing the risk of injury.
2. Improves Range of Motion in Ankles, Feet and Toes—No longer 'cast' in a shoe, the foot and toes move more naturally. 
3. Stimulates Neural Function Important to Balance and Agility—When wearing Vibram FiveFingers, thousands of neurological receptors in the feet send valuable information to the brain, improving balance and agility. 
4. Eliminate Heel Lift to Align the Spine and Improve Posture—By lowering the heel, your bodyweight becomes evenly distributed across the footbed, promoting proper posture and spinal alignment. 
5. Allow the Foot and Body to Move Naturally—Which just FEELS GOOD.

Since I've been experiencing back issues now and then, I thought these might help.

Wish me luck!

My Current Everyday Carry

I thought I would share the small list of items that I carry on a daily basis.

 These items include:

• Mont Blanc Money Clip
• Prada Credit Card/ID Holder
• Keys on a Tod's Leather Key Holder
• Sypderco P'kal Knife
• Leatherman S3 Flashlight
• Leaterman Squirt S4 Multitool
• iPhone 5
• Glasses (not pictured)

There's not much to say about 4 of these items, but I will elaborate on the knife, flashlight and multitool. The multitool is very helpful when opening packages, needing a small screwdriver, etc. Plus, it's small enough that it won't freak anyone out in today's society since even a Swiss Army Tool appears to be frowned upon as a weapon. The flashlight is for when I need a little bit of extra light or for those night time situations where a light could be very helpful.

The knife, which I keep hidden and never show to anyone, is what I call my equalizer. While I like to think that I can take care of myself should the situation arise, I need something just in case I'm confronted by more than a single individual (which is most often the case in an attempted robbery or while being attacked). Of course, there are times when I won't be able to carry the knife, such as when traveling by air or going into government buildings. In those instances, I carry a thick metal pen to use as a jabbing instrument.

Am I paranoid for carrying a knife and flashlight with me? Perhaps, but I rather have it and not need it THAN to need it and not have it.

3GS...meet your replacement!

The iPhone 3GS was my first iPhone and the initial Apple product that started my descent into all things Apple. I've carried the 3GS for 3 years, but it's finally time to upgrade.

3GS...meet your replacement, iPhone 5!

Saying Goodbye to My Dad

It's a rough start to the Year of the Dragon. My dad passed away recently and I gave the following eulogy at his memorial service.

Dear family and friends. We appreciate you coming to my father's memorial. I'm going to say a few words about my dad on behalf of my mom and myself.

My dad was born in Guangzhou, China in 193x. He was the youngest of 6 sons. His family would move to Hong Kong where it became home and the place where my dad would meet my mom. They grew up together, were deep in love and married.

After getting married, my dad wanted a change of scenery and immigrated to the United States where they would settle in Los Angeles. For a time, both my parents worked for my dad's older brother in a neighborhood market. While working there, my parents would end up meeting their closest & dearest friends.

In 197x my mom and dad had me. Unfortunately, not long after that, my dad developed health issues. My dad sought treatment and would slowly recover, although his health was never the same. He would eventually go into business with another one of his brothers when they purchased and ran a liquor store. My dad worked 365 days per year, at least 12 hours a day, and never had a day off for 10+ years.

It was an arduous life and with his health issues, my dad would eventually suffer a heart attack in 20xx. He would undergo quadruple bypass surgery, go through countless visits to multiple doctors, and made many trips to the hospital. My dad passed away in his sleep on the morning of Jan xx, 2012.

My dad was a loving husband and cared for my mother deeply. I never ever saw them fight. My dad was also a loving father who taught me right from wrong and to always do what is right. He taught me to be compassionate, to be respectful and to be humble. My dad was a good man and lived an honest life. We miss him terribly, but know that he’s in a much better place. He's no longer in pain, he’s no longer suffering.

Dad, you don’t have to worry about mom. We will take good care of her. You can rest in peace. I will always love you and I will never forget you.

I miss my dad. I am the man I am today because of him.

Happy Chinese New Year

Gong Hay Fat Choy!


(Image from Google search)

Wishing everyone good health and a prosperous Year of the Dragon!