Patrick's Diary - 6/6/2015

I hadn't gone to gym right after finishing the diary for yesterday as I planned because I kept listening those two of my recent favorite songs repeatedly for more than an hour until 8:30 am. When I went out of the house, my eyes were dazzled by bright sunshine even in such an early morning.

It has been a routine for me to stop at McDonald's in Canyon Park whenever I go to gym in the morning, today wasn't an exception. There were so many customers, when I left, the whole restaurants were almost occupied. It was a surprise.

...I only completed the first two paragraphs after coming back home from AMC Movie Theater. Since I was too tired to continue, I left it over to go sleep. Now, I am picking up here. It's already 6:24 am on Sunday morning.

Since I hadn't worked out on Friday night and had much relaxed schedule during weekend, I put extra effort at gym: One Hour on Treadmill, Twenty Minutes on Bike and Two Hundred Times Weightlifting. After getting out of the gym, I had already been soaking wet. Actually, right before I walked out, my son called me to share a little bit of fear of Calculus Final Exam to be taken in the afternoon. It shouldn't be a problem for him to pass the exam because he might be at 50 percentile overall, but his concern was that he wasn't able to focus and mathematics requires concentration and practice, only grasping the concepts is not sufficient. He was confident in Macroeconomics and Philosophy. However, if he is struggling with Calculus, it won't be easy for him to apply Bachelor of Science in Economics. I told him that first of all, he should try his best to get the best grade, anyhow, if he wasn't ready to keep pursuing it, he might defer the plan for another quarter. 

My mom had almost run out of milk but I wouldn't go to Costco until next Saturday per our once every three weeks grocery-shopping "policy", so I stopped at Fred Meyer to buy two small packs of Half & Half Darigold milk, which would ensure my mom's supply not to be cut. Almost everyone drinks 1% or 2%, but my mom just loves drinking Half & Half, which is 10% and up. However, she hardly eats fat otherwise anyway. 

It might be because I had a large cup of coffee at McDonald's, I didn't sleep much after the lunch. On Friday night, I did watch an interview with several former US women soccer stars on ESPN2. Unfortunately, I probably won't be able to watch US matches in first round as most of them will be played during weekdays. Saturday was the opening day and Canadians played Chinese at the opening match in Edmonton. It wasn't a surprise referee gave Canadians a Penalty Kick in overtime and their star player kicked the ball at the angle at which Chinese keeper didn't have any chance to save. Canadians were illuminated and Chinese coach seemed not care that much since he congratulated Canadian coach very warmly at the end. To me, since I am no longer a Chinese citizen, I watched the match purely from entertaining perspective. It's fair not to disappoint the host at the beginning of such a spectacular event. I think it was also why Chinese coach and players accepted it quietly. 

But the referees in the following MLS match on another channel were totally unacceptable. First of all, lineman blew the legitimate goal Neagle scored. There was no way that goal was taken away because when the ball was passed by Pappa, he was even ahead of Neagle who was impossible in an offside position. The lineman either didn't understand the rule or simply helped the host. Later on, referee gave a ridiculous PK to Sporting Kansas City. No wonder why was Frei so angry leading him to almost beat the referee. It wasn't a match for someone else's national pride on their soil, so the match should have been facilitated fairly. 

In the past several years, I had been watching movies with my son because he didn't drive. He wasn't at home this weekend, I decided to go watching this new released "San Andreas" by myself. Last time, when I took my son to go watching "Avenger" at AMC, I thought they removed automatic tickets dispensers without paying much attention. After an employee there reminded who paying by credit cards be able to buy the tickets through the dispensers, I just realized they installed new ones at the counters. However, I couldn't do it because I wanted to apply Golden Experience Ticket, which I got as instant reward at work two years ago but never used. I had to wait in the line to buy the ticket at cashier eventually. With both discounted tools, I managed to pay only additional four bucks to get the ticket of this 3D IMAX movie. 

The pre-show movie trailers were always welcome by audiences. Last night, Jurassic World caught my eyes the most. Park was upgraded to World now, the scenes must be enormous. It will be released this coming weekend, my son probably will ask me to drive him to watch. 

San Andreas was a great movie, it thoroughly depicted humans' strengths and weaknesses during such a tremendous dizaster. Facing the death, money and glories are nothing but only the capabilities of dealing with natural challenges matter. At the end of the day, the most important is family. 

At the end of the movie, I didn't leave immediately because I was expecting to catch a possible bonus. However, when ending song was on, I realized this movie probably didn't have ending bonus. Several other audiences might have the same mentality as I had, we eventually stood up to leave the auditorium.

On my way home, driving reminded me my son need to get his driver's license. Though it saved my concerns and money, he needed to grow up. I recommended him to get a license in June, 2016 after Spring Quarter of his sophomore year ends, then I will buy a Jeep Compact for him, we will be on a cross country trip in August, 2016. After coming back, he will become a very good driver, I believe.

Getting back home, as I shared, I was trying to finish the diary, so wrote the first two paragraphs. While loading the video clip from my Youtube account, I noticed one clip I took on Friday was skipped. It was snapped at Fry's Electronics after I bought Power converter for our trip to Europe. I had one but couldn't find it at home, so ended up buying a complete kit at Fry's. 

You might recall that on Friday, I pulled a clip of "16 Swedish Hits in 6 Minutes" from Youtube after not having followed any Swedish singers and bands for 20 years. I figured the band was named of "iNtim", which was formed by two girls born in Orebro, where we will be driving through next month. I even tried to go to a Allsvenskan football match there but schedule doesn't allow. Following one of the hits in that clip - "Jag Kommer", I found another pop singer - Veronica Maggio, who happened to sing a song named "Sergels Torgs", where I definitely had fond memories and will stay in a hotel nearby next month in order to walk around it conveniently. So, let me wrap up with this song:

Patrick's Diary - 6/5/2015

I just got up to finish my diary for yesterday. It is 5:43 on Saturday morning. Since my son is at school to prepare for final exams on Single Variable Calculus, Macroeconomics and Philosophy, I don't need to pick him up and drop him off, so I will arrange several events for myself during this weekend. No, I didn't go to gym last night because it closed at 10:00 pm on Friday but will go to workout 2 hours this morning. I didn't write my diary last night either because I was so sleepy but am writing it now.

Yesterday, I took half a day off for myself and my dad, I think I still have dozen hours left I haven't used. Every year I lost half of the accrued hours at my anniversary. In early morning, I went to lab to have a blood test for my doctor appointment first.

After test, I stopped at McDonald's to have my breakfast. 

I ordered Biscuit, Coffee and Hash Brown. This McDonald's at the corner of intersection in Alderwood is decorated pretty uniquely. The menu board is bright with white color in background to having choices popping your eyes. I can't recall if other McDonald's are changed to the same. Oh, this one is relatively bigger with a children's play room as well.

Coming back to clinic at 10:00 am, I was lying in my van to wait for my dad out of a heart functional test. Hiring interpreters for non-English speaking patients like my parents is a free benefit provided by Medicare. Though I could translate for my dad, I actually did it for my parents from time to time when interpreters were not available, it's better to have professionals doing it. They have extensive knowledge in medical terms. In addition, if you show your trust to them, they are also encouraged to make their jobs even more professional by gaining more knowledge. Janet Wang who is a Chinese-American from Taiwan has been the primary interpreter for my parents and she is very good. 

Before going to the office for the rest of the day, I stopped at AAA to get my International Driving Permit. During lunch hours, they were still busy to serve customers. The gal who was on the phone saw me waiting there, she tried to make me feel comfortable, so brought me the form while talking on the phone. Another agent, Nick, finally wrapped up with another customer, immediately took care of my application. He went through the process very fast. I remember that I got the permit back in 2011 for our trip to France and Germany here too. Permit is only good for a year, so I had to get another one for our trip to Europe again.

Back home in the traffic, I was listening to the beautiful and pleasant songs played by Spirit 105.3 and even singing with the ones I liked and knew. In addition to Shoulders, I started paying attention to another one sung by Merce Me - Flawless.

I was following the melody of the song singing until it ended and I happened to reach the exit to get out of the freeway.

However, I didn't catch the entire lyrics, so just pulled from Youtube to learn it.

The lyrics are not very easy to be sung because there are so many cadences, I will take time to practice. Hopefully, I can sing it with the radio on Monday. 

Last night after dinner, I did pull Swedish hits from Youtube since we will be there next month. Probably this 16 Swedish Hits in 6 Minutes is out of date, it seemed posted in 2014, but every one after Ace of Base is new to me because I hadn't followed Swedish singers for 20 years. The last song I liked and caught on the streets and in the bars in Stockholm was actually Eurodance version of Killing Me Softly with Your Song". Anyway, ABBA is still one of the best, if not the top, on my list all time, and I agree that Sweden produces great singers and bands too. 

Ok, I will go to gym in the next couple of minutes. 

Patrick's Diary - 6/4/2015

I followed a minivan with a company's logo of "STS" on it for a while on road to work this morning. It's another busy day. 

Sleeping deeply until the dinner was ready. My mom cooked shrimps for me, which was very delicious. 

Driving to gym, I figured we had Day Night in Seattle as well. It was already 9:15 at night but the sky was still not dark. 

Finishing the routine, I felt fulfilled. 

The two stocks I own in my trading account currently were both down. Several firms downgraded TWTR, I am not sure if they are trying to force TWTR to change. Anyway, everyone can sense current management are buying time now. It is a superior product. With its popularity, it will hang around forever. So, it is just the matter of time when it will be turned around and go high. Don't be panic if you own it, one day, it will surprise you suddenly. Z dropped under 90 bucks a share of which I had foreseen two weeks ago. With its unique, even possible dominant market position, it is also a super long-term darling too. However, where is that guy who desperately chanted that Z would go 120 right before earning release? Despite his incredible credentials, he was misleading the investors intentionally at that moment.

There is nothing more exciting today except tomorrow is Friday and the day after tomorrow is weekend. Let me pull a song on Youtube to wrap up the night: Yes, Shoulders by King & Country, my recent favorite song.

Patrick's Diary - 6/3/2015

Not Working out my routine at gym last night, I didn't feel very spiritual this morning. However, I managed to leave home at 6:45 am to avoid the crowd at Lynnwood High. 

Reading a piece of news, I learned that China's Shenzhen Airlines will buy 46 737 planes. It sounds a pretty sizable order worth 4.3 Billion. I hadn't known it belongs to Air China until earlier today. 

I remember when I worked for United Airlines in Beijing in 1986 and 1987 for a short period of time, I frequently socialized with folks at International Division of CAAC. Those guys were at ages of 30s and 40s then, if they don't retire, they may be executives at either CAAC or Air China now. I still remember their Headquarter Building in Dongsi (东四). Because I was so young, they treated me like a little brother. Had I not moved to Bahamas in late 87, I probably would have been an airline industry veteran all my life. 

One event I particularly can't forget was the banquet I was in charge of organizing for UA Senior Delegation led by James Hartigan at State Guesthouse in Beijing in May, 1987. The folks at CAAC helped me a lot invite all VIPs in the industry. 

KC-46 also brought good news today. I found this video clip on Youtube.

Sleeping for 2 hours after dinner, I managed to go to gym at 10 pm. Finishing my routine, I felt great. As I shared, it's been cloudy and raining until this evening, so when I went to gym, I felt a bit cold. After workout, on my way home, I even had to roll down the window to cool me down. Stopping by 7-11 pumping gas, I was still sweating standing by the pumps. 

Ok, I am going to catch up more Swedish for our trip, then go to bed. In addition to personal trips, my connections with Sweden back in early 90s were also related to businesses as well. Besides several Swedish companies, I also dealt with others in Germany, Netherlands, Austria, Finland as well. However, I learned so much from 1992 financial crisis in Sweden and its quickly recovery by 1996. My best friend was top sales for Akzo Nobel in Beijing in mid-90s, we worked together on several projects for this Dutch-Swedish giant then. Looking back, I realize that I had been more interested in financial deals for any projects since then while others were focusing on marketing and sales. This may be why I eventually become a finance professional. 

My best friend had gone due to cancer in 2011, I know his wish was to work for Akzo Nobel US operation when he immigrated to States but never worked out. Anyway, he had really good time while he was working for them.

Why have I been writing too much businesses today? Do I still miss those exciting years when we were young? Ok, I will have fun with my son next month while cruising through Scandinavia, oh, including Hamburg and Amsterdam. 

Patrick's Diary - 6/2/2015

Darn, it was already 11:10 pm when I woke up after almost 3 hours sleep, so I wouldn't be able to spend enough time to workout even driving to gym immediately. Yes, I had been a bit tired in the last two days, it might be why I fell into sleep so deeply tonight. Too bad, I missed workout the first time in the past two weeks.

After driving my dad to Virginia Mason for his annual physical check, I was on my way to work. At 10:00 am, cars lined up on the ramp to I-405 South extended to the over bridge above the freeway. It was a bit abnormal. Later on, I figured there were two accidents on I-405, one was close to the exit to UW Bothell and Cascadia Community College, another was right on Carpool line before the exit of 160th Street. 

Reading news on intranet, I figured our "on Move" event kicked off today. Since I wouldn't be able to participate it next month, I didn't join any team. However, my routine at gym everyday ensures me to have well enough exercises. 

Though it was already 6:00 pm when I drove back home, road from 520 to 522 on I-405 North was still very crowed. I followed a Darigold Truck again for several miles. Oh, planning to post a clip about it from Youtube, I just found several videos were pretty negative. However, I need to buy two paper packs of Half & Half for my mom, she only drinks it but forgot to write it on the list when I bought groceries at Costco the Saturday before the last. 

I forgot if I had read the news of 737-Max officially into the productions during the day or not but definitely noticed it when I surfed on Internet several minutes ago. 

I pulled T-shirts and Short-Sleeve Shirts out of the bag yesterday morning and wore Short-Sleeves since yesterday to embrace the summer. Though it had been pretty wet since yesterday morning, I felt pretty comfortable. Oh, I need to put all winter clothes into the bag and switch these summer ones into the closet in my bedroom. 

Looking at the baggage on the floor, I was triggered to think about our trip in the summer. Oh, I noticed a Swede winning Eurovision this year and thought about to listen to his winning song but hadn't had chance to do it. Ok, let me do it now to wrap up my diary for today, oh, no, for yesterday, it is 12:27 am on Wednesday now.

Well, it was a great performance. After sleeping 3 hours earlier, I am still pretty energetic. Ok, let me me catch up some Swedish before our trip, first of all, pronunciation of Alphabets is the basic. No, Swedish doesn't really have "W" but 3 more derivatives. 

Yes, Today is:

Patrick's Diary - 6/1/2015

Today is International Children's Day, which isn't celebrated in US. However, it was a big holiday when I was a kid in China. I remember once a year, school always organized a tour to one of the parks in Beijing to celebrate. Nowadays, kids in China have more choices and fun than we had. 

Well, not only is it not celebrated in US, but we as adults don't have luxury to enjoy it as well. It's been a long day for me. 

After late dinner, as usual, I took a nap for 1 hour. Then, I had to run an-virus application on my laptop because Chrome, Firefox and Explorer all became dysfunctional. After running Norton, the issue was gone. I guess someone implanted problematic cookies on my laptop. 

When I arrived at gym, it's already almost 10 pm. I finished a routine and also took a long break in between to read news on my cell, usually, I don't take break. Therefore, when I walked out of the gym, it was already 11:30 pm. 

Spring quarter will end less than two weeks. Money left in my son's dinning account will be forfeited. He should have both lunch and dinner at Cultivate. As he told me, it is a very formal restaurant in his dorm building. I will ask him to find out if I can go there to have several meals with him before next Thursday. It sounds they serve pretty delicious pasta and sandwiches. 

Tomorrow morning I will drive my dad for doctor appointment, so don't need to get up too early. 

It's time to go to bed anyway. 

Patrick's Diary - 5/31/2015

Coming back to my desk in study room after two hours nap, I am finishing my diary for yesterday, yes, it is 12:14 in the very early morning on June 1st now.

I had planned to workout after watching Sounders' match but changed my mind to go before lunch because time would be too tight given gym to be close at 6pm on Sunday. However, when I pushed the button to open the garage door, it was just raised a couple of inches then stuck. I tried several times but failed. I had to call my reliable neighbor Dennis who always can help. I did see him driving out earlier, so hopefully he could come back soon. After briefly taking on the phone, I learned he was buying something in a store but would be back home pretty soon. 

He fixed it like a piece of cake. Watching him reconnecting broken spring, I talked about the quality of the spring. He knew the story of this development very well because he bid for installing garage doors himself 8 years ago when developer wrapped up the project. It sounded a heating system provider won the bid by bundling their core products with garage doors, which were almost free of charge. So, you can imagine the quality of garage doors might not be very good. The quality of entire house is pretty good because the main structures and interior decorations were finished before the market got crashed. 

Great neighbor did great thing for me, so I drove to gym to workout afterwards and got totally sweaty. 

Driving my son back to his dorm, I sped up on I-5 to be back home to catch Sounders hosting Red Bulls at Century Link Field. I missed first 18 minutes when both teams hadn't scored. Afterwards, Bulls got several opportunities and led by a goal until Pappa made a magic shot to tie the match.

Getting into overtime, Dempsey helped team win the match by kicking the ball at a very sharp angle. I wasn't sure if Barrett scored at the end or not. It doesn't matter who got the credits, Sounders defeated rival and stays on top in Western Conference.

Yesterday, I had only written one short paragraph of Day Seven of Sometime in Scandinavia but accidentally published it as an unfinished product. I immediately deleted it. After watching Sounders' match, I re-wrote that short paragraph and eventually finished it. It takes more effort and time to write it than writing diary because the latter is based on fresh memories of today's facts but the former is a combination of memoir and imaginations. 

Ok, it is 12:55 now, I can go back to sleep another four hours. I have slept a lot this weekend anyway...