For the first time in over ten years perhaps, I am home with the folks for two whole weeks in a row, and how very nice it is indeed. Nothing beats having full control over one's schedule (well almost, anyways) and oh yeah... I am most definitely enjoying this privilege.

The thing is, when I emailed my travel schedule to my parents just before I left Taipei, I purposely didn't mention that I was visiting them for TWO weeks this time before heading out to San Fran, so I was somewhat surprised (though I shouldn't have been, in hindsight...) that Mom picked up on this right away.

Upon my arrival, she exclaimed:

"Oh boy! When I looked at your schedule, I almost couldn't believe it! But I looked again and sure enough... you were coming to visit for TWO weeks! Right away I thought... how can we take advantage of your time here?!"

So what does she do?

And mind you, she didn't tell me until she saw me in person...

Mom scheduled an appointment with a well-known cosmetic surgeon in the area to sew up the extremely elongated earring hole of my left ear that was ripped over a decade ago.

Stereotypically speaking, most Chinese parents -- in their glee to have their kids back in the same country -- will offer to buy them a new car, or will put down a down payment for a new home, etc.

But no... not my parents.

They're special.

"And so the day continues..."

So today was the day that I had my left ear, earring hole fixed.

From time to time, I have thought about fixing the problemo, but it was never an urgent issue and I've lived with it for this long now. Nothing wrong with wearing pearl earrings EVERY DAY of my life, is it?

The problem was when OTHERS noticed it, because although it doesn't hurt one bit, people would get totally grossed out when they see it, with my earring barely hanging on for dear life, lol...

So I guess Mom took it upon herself to help me help them (lol).

Everyone can RELAX now.

The idea of it is totally weird in and of itself, but the surgical procedure was even MORE weird for the following reasons:

• A piece of cloth was placed over my face during the the entire 20+ minute operation, so the experience was all audio, no video

• The surgeon preferred to play music in the background to "help him relax" -- which in and of itself is fine with me -- except that he chose the theme song from "Phantom of the Opera".

  As I heard, "Christine! Christine!" from the sound track, I couldn't help but imagine this surgeon being a possible serial killer, the type that likes to cut off ears and the like...

• The surgeon was one HUNK of a man! Chinese-American yet "all-American", 6'2" perhaps(?), athletic, bilingual, incredibly charming, witty, and is a PILOT for the National Guard for Christ's sakes... on the side!!!

Next!

"Good news and bad news..."

Well... I can't believe I'm saying this... but my awesome little laptop is... well... it's really sick...

It couldn't have come at a worse time either with all that I need to do, but getting upset over it was no use, so I just got really depressed instead...

The screen itself would sometimes blank out upon system boot, but lately, and especially during my various stopovers from Taipei this time around, it started having problems booting altogether.

As of today, it is 100% out-of-order.

#&*%... !

I was planning to suck it up and go out and buy a REAL brand finally (no more Twinheads, girl...), but Tommy (whom I hooked up with later on in the day) said he'd take a look at it and that perhaps his friend Chris could fix it for me...

Crossing my fingers over here...

So ANYWAY...

Tommy and I grabbed lunch at a nearby deli which apparently is all hip and happening (lol). GREAT to see him per usual, and GREAT to eat a Reuben that doesn't cost me US$15.00! Am definitely savoring the fact (pun intended, lol...) that I now have access to my favorite foods, i.e., salads and sandwiches, at reasonable prices.

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

And Tommy was crackin' me up, as usual.

God bless Tommy too.

LOL.


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