Saturday, January 31, 2009

Men vs Women

Sharing the following email with you:

ROMANCE MATHEMATICS
Smart man + smart woman = romance
Smart man + dumb woman = affair
Dumb man + smart woman = marriage
Dumb man + dumb woman = pregnancy


OFFICE ARITHMETIC
Smart boss + smart employee = profit
Smart boss + dumb employee = production
Dumb boss + smart employee = promotion
Dumb boss + dumb employee = overtime


SHOPPING MATH
A man will pay $2 for a $1 item he needs.
A woman will pay $1 for a $2 item that she doesn't need.


GENERAL EQUATIONS
A woman worries about the future until she gets a husband.
A man never worries about the future until he gets a wife.
A successful man is one who makes more money than his wife can spend.
A successful woman is one who can find such a man.


HAPPINESS
To be happy with a man, you must understand him a lot and love him a little.
To be happy with a woman, you must love her a lot and not try to understand her at all.


LONGEVITY STATISTICS
Married men live longer than single men, but married men are a lot more willing to die.


PROPENSITY TO CHANGE
A woman marries a man expecting he will change, but he doesn't.
A man marries a woman expecting that she won't change, but she does.


DISCUSSION TECHNIQUE
A woman has the last word in any argument.
Anything a man says after that is the beginning of a new argument.


HOW TO STOP PEOPLE FROM BUGGING YOU ABOUT GETTING MARRIED
Old aunts used to come up to me at weddings, poking me in the ribs and cackling, telling me, "You're next."
They stopped after I started doing the same thing to them at funerals.


SEND THIS TO
A SMART WOMAN WHO NEEDS A LAUGH
AND TO
THE SMART GUYS WHOM YOU KNOW CAN HANDLE IT.

Friday, January 30, 2009

Life

Sharing the following email with you:

A long time ago, there was an Emperor who told his horseman that if he could ride on his horse and cover as much land area as he likes, then the Emperor would give him the area of land he has covered.

Sure enough, the horseman quickly jumped onto his horse and rode as fast as possible to cover as much land area as he could. He kept on riding and riding, whipping the horse to go as fast as possible. When he was hungry or tired, he did not stop because he wanted to cover as much area as possible.

Came to a point when he had covered a substantial area and he was exhausted and was dying. Then he asked himself, "Why did I push myself so hard to cover so much land area? Now I am dying and I only need a very small area to bury myself."

The above story is similar with the journey of our Life. We push very hard everyday to make more money, to gain power and recognition. We neglect our health , time with our family and to appreciate the surrounding beauty and the hobbies we love. One day when we look back, we will realize that we don't really need that much, but then we cannot turn back time for what we have missed.

Life is not about making money, acquiring power or recognition . Life is definitely not about work! Work is only necessary to keep us living so as to enjoy the beauty and pleasures of life. Life is a balance of Work and Play, Family and Personal time.

You have to decide how you want to balance your Life. Define your priorities, realize what you are able to compromise but always let some of your decisions be based on your instincts.

Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of Life, the whole aim of human existence. So, take it easy, do what you want to do and appreciate nature.

Life is fragile, Life is short. Do not take Life for granted. Live a balanced lifestyle and enjoy Life!

Watch your thoughts ; they become words.
Watch your words ; they become actions.
Watch your actions ; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character .
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny .
---

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Poem to MOM

Sharing the following email with you:

Poem to MOM

My son came home from school one day,
With a smirk upon his face.
He decided he was smart enough,
To put me in my place.

'Guess what I learned in Civics Two,
that's taught by Mr. Wright?
It's all about the laws today,
The 'Children's Bill of Rights.

'It says I need not clean my room,
Don't have to cut my hair,
No one can tell me what to think,
Or speak, or what to wear.

I have freedom from religion,
And regardless what you say,
I don't have to bow my head,
And I sure don't have to pray.

I can wear earrings if I want,
And pierce my tongue & nose.
I can read & watch just what I like,
Get tattoos from head to toe.

And if you ever spank me,
I'll charge you with a crime.
I'll back up all my charges,
With the marks on my behind.

Don't you ever touch me,
My body's only for my use,
Not for your hugs and kisses,
that's just more child abuse.

Don't preach about your morals,
Like your Mama did to you.
That's nothing more than mind control,
And it's illegal too!

Mom, I have these children's rights,
So you can't influence me,
Or I'll call Children's Services Division,
Better known as C.S.D.


Mom's Reply and Thoughts

Of course my first instinct was
To toss him out the door.
But the chance to teach him a lesson
Made me think a little more.

I mulled it over carefully,
I couldn't let this go.
A smile crept upon my face,
he's messing with a pro.

Next day I took him shopping
At the local Goodwill Store.
I told him, 'Pick out all you want,
there's shirts & pants galore.

I've called and checked with C.S.D ..
Who said they didn't care
If I bought you K-Mart shoes
Instead of those Nike Airs.

I've canceled that appointment
To take your driver's test.
The C.S.D. Is unconcerned
So I'll decide what's best.

'I said 'No time to stop and eat,
Or pick up stuff to munch.
And tomorrow you can start to learn
To make your own sack lunch.

Just save the raging appetite,
And wait till dinner time.
We're having liver and onions,
A favorite dish of mine.

'He asked 'Can I please rent a movie,
To watch on my VCR?''
Sorry, but I sold your TV,
For new tires on my car.

I also rented out your room,
You'll take the couch instead.
The C .S.D. Requires
Just a roof over your head.

Your clothing won't be trendy now,
I'll choose what we eat.
That allowance that you used to get,
Will buy me something neat.

I'm selling off your jet ski,
Dirt-bike & roller blades.
Check out the 'Parents Bill of Rights',
It's in effect today!

Hey hot shot, are you crying,
Why are you on your knees?
Are you asking God to help you out,
Instead of C.S.D..?

Send to all people that have teenagers, have already raised teenagers, have children who will soon be teenagers or those who will be parents someday
OR ANYONE WHO'D JUST GET A LAUGH

MOM (Mean Old Mother)
--

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Heart to heart

The other day I did a google search on my brother by typing in his name. Wow, I found out that he had a blog and a book on travel for sale, which I never knew before.

All these years that he has been living away from us, what he has done and travelled were revealed. So much information about him that was not known to me before was on the computer screen. In this internet era, we get to know each other through the net. Information and knowledge are so abundant that it becomes kind of scary.

But to find out who someone really is, you need to deal with them on a personal level. There is a chinese saying: " A long raod reveals the strength of a horse, a long period reveals the true character of a person."

Yes, character is the backbone of one's quality. Do not be fooled by all the titles, status, wealth, power and external attributes. Only with the use of our "heart" we can touch and be connected with another person's "heart".

--

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Stem Cell Drive - Saturday, Feb. 21, 2009 Toronto

In Toronto, on Feb 21, 2009, "The Chinese Stem Cell Initiative" together with "One Match" and "Canadian Blood Services" are holding a Stem cell drive geared towards the Chinese Community.

Date: Feb 21, 2009

Time: 11:00 am to 5:00 pm

Location: First Harkham Place, 3255 Highway 7 East, Markham
Map: http://www.firstmarkhamplace.com/direction.php

People between 17-50 years of age needed, for more info, please visit:
http://www.chinesestemcell.ca/
http://www.onematch.ca/


Details: http://www.chinesestemcell.ca/?page_id=22
--

Monday, January 26, 2009

A note of thanks

Neng Xiu wrote to us:

"Dear All,

The "Thanksgiving Ceremony" we had last week after the Buddhism class was very special to me. I'm very grateful to everyone and especially to Lung Zhi leading this event and showing us how to bring out our thankfulness (感恩心). I felt blessed to be there, knowing you and spending time together.

Let's keep our thankfulness endlessly ..... 菩提道上永不退轉.

Best Wishes for the Year of the Ox...福慧雙修.

Neng Xiu "

Sunday, January 25, 2009

One happy man at a time...

L.Y. came across a good book from Professor T.M.Fong. He enjoyed that book so much that he wanted to find out all other publications from Professor Fong. I did the search for him since his computer could not type in Chinese.

From the list of publication, Anthony found two books that he would like to read. So I asked my husband to look for the books in Hong Kong; he went to five bookstore and could not find the books. So I asked T.W. to get the books for L.Y. instead, as Terry goes out more often than my husband. Terry replied to me that he had the pdf file of the books so he could email them to us, and he did.

L.Y. wrote to me:

"T.W. just sent me the pdf files of the books.

I want to show my appreciation for you effort to help me find the books.

Nothing is comparable to the joy of finding a good book that you desire.

So you see, you have contributed to my happiness, and happiness is merrier
when it is spread around.

I have to say, the recent period of convalesce seems to be quite productive
for me. I have planned to read Prof. Fong's book and also the Lotus Sutra. I
think I have accomplished my goal. I am also looking forward to our monthly
movie gathering."

All these are trivial incidents. But if we start with trivial accomplishments, it will culminate into snowball effects...

--

Saturday, January 24, 2009

NEVER DRIVE IN THE RAIN WITH YOUR CRUISE CONTROL ON

Sharing the following email with you:



Driving in the rain


I wonder how many people know about this ~

A 36 year old female had an accident several weeks ago and totaled her car. A resident of Kilgore , Texas she was traveling between Gladewater & Kilgore. It was raining, though not excessively, when her car suddenly began to hydro-plane and literally flew through the air. She was not seriously injured but very stunned at the sudden occurrence!

When she explained to the highway patrolman what had happened he told her something that every driver should know - NEVER DRIVE IN THE RAIN WITH YOUR CRUISE CONTROL ON . She thought she was being cautious by setting the cruise control and maintaining a safe consistent speed in the rain. But the highway patrolman told her that if the cruise control is on when your car begins to hydro-plane and your tires lose contact with the pavement, your car will accelerate to a higher rate of speed making you take off like an airplane. She told the patrolman that was exactly what had occurred.

The patrolman said this warning should be listed, on the driver's seat sun-visor - NEVER USE THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THE PAVEMENT IS WET OR ICY, along with the airbag warning.

We tell our teenagers to set the cruise control and drive a safe speed - but we don't tell them to use the cruise control only when the pavement is dry.

The only person the accident victim found, who knew this (besides the patrolman), was a man who had had a similar accident, totaled his car and sustained severe injuries.

NOTE: Some vehicles (like the Toyota Sienna Limited XLE) will not allow you to set the cruise control when the windshield wipers are on.

If you send this to 15 people and only one of them doesn't know about this, then it was all worth it. You might have saved a life.

--

Friday, January 23, 2009

Anthony the Angel

I was woke up by my furnace maintenance company early this morning informing me that the service man was on his way to my house for the annual tune-up.

When I opened the door for the service man, I saw an intimate smiling face. I asked: “Have you been here before?” The service man replied: “Yes, many years ago in one cold Christmas holiday period, at midnight, when both of your furnaces were down. I remember your house since it is very unique.”

Faded memories started to surface in my mind. “Yes, he is Anthony Senewiratne. Seven years ago when my furnaces broke down at the middle of the night, he showed up to inspect the problem and told us that we needed new furnaces.” We had a good chat then, and he gave me many good advises. He was very professional and with a great heart.

After almost two hours of work, he was ready to leave. I could tell he had done a very good job; he even went outside to check the outdoor thermostat, to make sure that the humidifier would be working properly.

When we finished up with the paper work, we make conversation again. He told me the changes that had taken place over the years with his company. I asked if I could specify ask for him to do my maintenance. He said that could be arranged.

I have faith and trust in Anthony to take care of my furnace. To me, he is an angel sent from heaven. I am not exaggerating; this is how I felt in my heart at this moment.

I am very thankful to the "SURPREME" that I am always surrounded by angels from all ten directions. Thanks Anthony for lighten up my spirit.

--

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Tibetan Medicine Symposium, Feb 10 at U of T

Centre for International Health, Comparative Program on Health & Society, Munk Centre for International Studies & Centre for the Study of Religion, Faculty of Arts & Science
present

A TIBETAN MEDICINE SYMPOSIUMINTERACTIONS WITH THE WEST: CHALLENGES & CONTRIBUTIONS

Tuesday, February 10, 2009, 5:30PM-8PM
Campbell Conference Facility
Munk Centre for International Studies, 1 Devonshire Place
Registration: $20 faculty & $5 students from
Munk Centre e-registration: http://webapp.mcis.utoronto.ca/EventDetails.aspx?eventid=7150
Information: cphs.munk@utoronto.ca / 416-946-8891


SYMPOSIUM PROGRAM

5:30-6PM Dr. Frances Garrett and Jennifer Bright, PhD(candidate): Research on Tibetan Medicine at the University of Toronto
6-6:30PM Dr. Tim Cook: The Health of Tibetans in the Eastern Plateau – an Internists Perspective
6:30-7:30PM Keynote Speaker: Dr. Dorjee Rapten Neshar: Essentials of the Tibetan Medical System
7:30-8:00PM Q&A


SYMPOSIUM SPEAKERS

Jennifer Bright received her MA in Religious Studies from Queen's University and is now a PhD candidate in Religion at the Centre for the Study of Religion. Between her MA and entry into the doctoral program she spent two years in India studying Tibetan in Dharamsala, and she has recently returned from another trip of several months, where she researched women’s health issues for exiled Tibetans in India. Her doctoral research focuses on perceptions of the body and of health and illness in Tibetan communities, and the role played by religion in such attitudes.

Dr. Frances Garrett received her doctorate in Buddhist Studies in 2004 from the University of Virginia. Her book, Religion, Medicine and the Human Embryo in Tibet (Routledge, 2008), links aspects of Tibetan medicine to expressions of culture, religion, art and literature through a study of embryology in Tibetan literature. Her current research considers the intersections between Buddhist practice, ritual and occult knowledge and medical theory, and what these tell us about the processes of institutional and ideological change in Tibet. Dr. Garrett has been Assistant Professor in the Centre for the Study of Religion since 2003.

Dr. Dorjee Rapten Neshar was born in Kyidong, Tibet. Following the Chinese occupation of Tibet in 1969, he escaped to India with his family. Dr. Dorjee received his medical training at the Tibetan Medical College in Dharamsala where he completed intensive study in the Tibetan Medical System. Dr. Dorjee acquired most of his practical experience into the more profound level of health & healing through late Dr. Tenzin Cheodrak (the former chief physician to His Holiness The Dalai Lama). With over 18 years of dedicated service in the practice of Tibetan Medicine, he has attended many national & international conferences; presented many papers on Tibetan Medicine & has a number of published articles to his credit.

Dr. Tim Cook completed 4 years as a general duty medical officer with the Canadian Forces, and then, on completion of a general internal medicine fellowship and Diploma in Tropical Medicine from the London School spent 1995 through 2003 wandering the world wearing a blue beret. This sparked a keen interest in Global Health which subsequently led to an MPH from the London School as well. For the past 3 summers, he has visited a remote part of the eastern Tibetan plateau providing needs analysis for Inter-Citic Minerals Inc. Currently, he directs the internal medicine programmes including travel health for Medcan Corporate health Management in Toronto, teaches internal medicine residents at Mt Sinai Hospital, co-directs a course on integrative medicine at University of Toronto (Arts and Sciences) and continues a consultative practice with the Canadian Forces Environmental Medicine Establishment at Defence Research and Development – Downsview.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

2008 Xmas in Toronto

My brother wrote:

"Another Xmas in Toronto, another large family reunion.

There were plenty of eating and the food (Chinese food) is always delicious in TO.

We checked out the usual places - First Markham mall and Pacific Mall, and the crowd and parking was crazy as always.

This year we did something different, we went indoor rock climbing at the Toronto Climbing Academy and it was great.

Keon is growing up so fast, he is a really happy kid.

For presents, I got two amazing customized mini-munnys, one from Matthew and another from Toni and Chris.

We'd spent an afternoon to see the newly renovated AGO (Art Gallery of Ontario). Some of the architecture was designed by Frank Gehry."

My brother visits us once a year, usually during Christmas. I sure like to visit him sometime this year, for a change, and go sky diving with him.

--

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

My crazy family




This is not Halloween...

This is the costume contest that my kids have after Christmas. Each kid tries to imitate the Christmas present that he or she receives from my brother that year.

They have fun doing the posting and we have fun watching. My family does not like to grow up. We are all young at heart.

Hopefully we have high EQ...
--

Monday, January 19, 2009

Loving Chris - Part 2

On June 10 of last year, I wrote the article Loving Chris on this blog.

The other day, while I was at WalMart with him, I asked: "When do you plan to get marry, Chris?"

He answered: "Do you mean with your daughter?"

I said: "With anyone you love, not necessarily with my daughter."

He replied: " At the age of 25, I should be ready by then."

"So soon?" I questioned.

"It will be five years from now, five years are a quarter of my present life."

Oh, I did not remember he was that young.

Then, I moved on and asked: "How much are you in love with my daughter?"

"Crazily, crazily in love. We have to see each other everyday. "

Chris commented: "Do not be left alone with Mrs. Tsang, she will asked you all kinds of weird questions?"

--

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Who is luckier?

I received a Himalayan salt lamp from Mary and my son for Christmas.

Chris, my daughter's boyfriend, gave me a rain check as Christmas present. He promised to attend a dharma lecture of my choice with me, and write an article for me to put in this blog, that is the rain check.

Actually, he has attended Ajahn Brahm's dharma lecture with me as my birthday present back in July. And when Master Haiyun was here in November for dharma lecture, I asked Chris to attend with me as my 2008 Chrismas present. However, he was caught up by some school works and were not able to attend.

Out of the love for my daughter, Chris has to listen to lectures that otherwise he would never dare to be bothered with. Fortunately, he enjoyed the lecture. (I have to make sure the lecture suits his taste).

So who is luckier, Chris, my daughter or me? Hopefully we are all winners...

--

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Today is the stem cell drive day for Kristen Capawan in Naperville

All best of wishes from Betty and I to the success of the stem cell drive today.

Kristen's Story



A recent graduate of Neuqua Valley HS is in need of a stem cell transplant. Her name is Kristen Capawan and here is her story:

Kristen graduated from Neuqua in 2006. She started college at the University of Illinois to study civil engineering. During spring break of her freshman year she was diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma at age 18. She underwent chemotherapy at the University of Chicago Comer Children's hospital ending treatment in July of 2007. She returned to U of I that August but home for the Christmas holiday her tests showed the cancer had returned. Her next treatment consisted of intense chemotherapy followed by a stem cell transplant using her own cells referred to as Autologous transplant followed by radiation. This took place during the winter/spring of 2008. Unfortunately, she was unable to return to the U of I for the spring semester. August of 2008 she returned to U of I embracing education in a different light after being through so much. In late October another test showed some spots that indicated the cancer may be back. After a biopsy was performed it was confirmed by Thanksgiving. The next step for treatment is a Allogeneic transplant. This process is using stem cells from an unrelated donor that has a close match to the person requiring the transplant.

I am asking for the community’s help. Kristen is 1/2 Caucasian and 1/2 Chinese which makes her fight for a donor more challenging. Chances for a match are most likely to come from someone with the same ethnic makeup as Kristen. Knowing the diversity of the population in Chicago and in Naperville I am hoping to find someone to come forward with the same ethnicity. However, I would encourage everyone who can to join the marrow registry. Every single day 6,000 patients of all ethnicities check this registry hoping to find a match that could cure them of their diseases.

I am holding a stem cell drive on January 17th at Neuqua Valley HS in Naperville from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. The initial process is simply a Q-Tip swab inside the cheek. This is then tissue-typed and added to the registry. If there is a potential match to a patient, the next step is to take a sample of blood for further analysis. If there is an exact match then the procedure for collecting the cells is done in one of two ways. Most often, they are collected through the circulating bloodstream in an apheresis-like procedure. Less common is to collect the cells from the bone marrow in an outpatient procedure with some type of anesthesia. The patient’s condition determines the collection method. You are only asked to donate if there is a specific patient you match who is in need. Our event on January 17th is only to get on the registry. Please see the following websites for more information on this.

http://www.marrow.org

http://www.mayoclinic.com

I would have never had known how simple a process this is had it not been for knowing what Kristen was going through. I suspect the general public does not either. Please visit the web sites and show up on January 17th to potentially save someone's life. You must be between the ages of 18-60 years old and in good health to register with the NMDP (National Marrow Donor Program).

Event:
Neuqua Valley HS
2360 95th St.
Naperville, IL 60564
Enter the main campus rotunda door # 1

You can also send donations to help with stem cell testing costs.
Please make check payable to Kristen Capawan fund.

Kristen Capawan Fund
c/o Karen Johnson
4536 Barr Creek LN
Naperville, IL 60564

--

Friday, January 16, 2009

How people can help Kristen

Erin Lu wrote:

I met with Melissa Webb Halcomb, Director, Donor Relations & Marrow Program and talked about how people can help Kristen. She told me to give out her information and she can answer all the questions for the people who want to help, especially, Asian people. She also told me that Asian people have the lowest percentage who joint marrow registry.

Below is Melissa Webb Halcomb’s information:

Melissa Webb Halcomb
Director, Donor Relations & Marrow Program
Community Blood Services of Illinois
1408 West University Avenue
Urbana, IL 61801
Phone : 217-367-2202
E-mail: mhalcomb@bloodservices.org

Please send e-mail to her about the questions you have. She will be more than happy to help you.

Again, thank you for your help.
Erin Lu

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Looking for a Bone Marrow Donor for Kristen Capawan

My friend, Erin, is in need our help. Her 21 years old daughter is looking for a bone marrow donor.

Please help out in anyway you can.

Regards,
Lung Zhi

*************************************

Erin Lu wrote:

Hi All,

Most of you already knew that Kristen's cancer return again. Her Doctor wanted to do donor stem cell transplant. As you know, Kristen is 1/2 Caucasian and 1/2 Chinese. This makes her finding matching donor more challenging.

Her guardian angel, Mrs.Karen Johnson, made three posters, tried to get people to joint marrow registry finding Kristen's a matching donor. Attached are three Kristen stem cell drive posters. " Be a Hero" is file of an introduction of bone marrow or stem cell transplant and the procedure to joint the marrow registry. "Neuqua Valley Drive poster" is the poster that Neuqua High school will be a donor registry drive on Jan. 17th. Neuqua is the high school Kristen graduated from. "Kristen's story" is the story telling about Kristen's cancer treatment journey. She also set up a kristen capawan fund. This fund is helping with stem cell testing cost.

Karen would like me to pass on all the people I know. I would apprecaite it if you can also pass these posters to you kids who are in high schools or colleges. Thank you for your help!!

Erin Lu

Ekla Corporation
http://www.eklacorp.com/
Ph: 1-800-328-4215
Fax: 1-866-715-3652
Cell: 630-258-6242
mailto:erinlu@eklacorp.com




*************************************

Be A Hero: Save A Life

Someone Needs You. Join the Be The Match Registry.

More than 35,000 people face life-threatening diseases that can only be cured with a blood stem cell transplant. Most patients do not have a match in their family. To survive, they need a transplant from an unrelated donor. You are their only hope for a cure.

Every day, more than 6,000 people desperately search the marrow registry for a lifesaving donor. These are our moms and dads and grandparents, our brothers and sisters, our children and friends.

Only 2 out of every 10 patients receive the transplant that could save their lives, in large part because there is no match for them.

What is a bone marrow or blood stem cell transplant?

Marrow produces the blood-forming cells that transplant patients need. The immature marrow stem cells can develop into any of the cells present in the blood stream: red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. There are three sources of blood stem cells: bone marrow, the circulating blood (called PBSC) or umbilical cord blood. Your healthy donor cells go directly into the patient’s bloodstream. The cells travel to the marrow, where they begin to function and multiply, saving a life.

How do you join the registry?

If you’re in good health, between the ages of 18 and 60, and are willing to help save the life of a patient in need, it’s simple:

Complete a registration form: contact information, health history, and a signed agreement to join the Registry.

Give a sample of cheek cells using 4 sterile cotton swabs to be sent for tissue-typing.

If you qualify as a potential match to a patient, you will be contacted to confirm your commitment, update your health history and have further testing to determine if you are the best match.

If you are the best match and asked to donate:

You are given a complete physical exam to make sure a donation is safe for both you and the recipient. You are invited to a meeting to answer any questions.

There is no cost to the donor for physical exam, the assessment or the donation itself. To the recipient, and their loved ones, the donor will forever be regarded as a hero..
****************************************
Kristen's story
A recent graduate of Neuqua Valley HS is in need of a stem cell transplant. Her name is Kristen Capawan and here is her story:

Kristen graduated from Neuqua in 2006. She started college at the University of Illinois to study civil engineering. During spring break of her freshman year she was diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma at age 18. She underwent chemotherapy at the University of Chicago Comer Children's hospital ending treatment in July of 2007. She returned to U of I that August but home for the Christmas holiday her tests showed the cancer had returned. Her next treatment consisted of intense chemotherapy followed by a stem cell transplant using her own cells referred to as Autologous transplant followed by radiation. This took place during the winter/spring of 2008. Unfortunately, she was unable to return to the U of I for the spring semester. August of 2008 she returned to U of I embracing education in a different light after being through so much. In late October another test showed some spots that indicated the cancer may be back. After a biopsy was performed it was confirmed by Thanksgiving. The next step for treatment is a Allogeneic transplant. This process is using stem cells from an unrelated donor that has a close match to the person requiring the transplant.

I am asking for the community’s help. Kristen is 1/2 Caucasian and 1/2 Chinese which makes her fight for a donor more challenging. Chances for a match are most likely to come from someone with the same ethnic makeup as Kristen. Knowing the diversity of the population in Chicago and in Naperville I am hoping to find someone to come forward with the same ethnicity. However, I would encourage everyone who can to join the marrow registry. Every single day 6,000 patients of all ethnicities check this registry hoping to find a match that could cure them of their diseases.

I am holding a stem cell drive on January 17th at Neuqua Valley HS in Naperville from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. The initial process is simply a Q-Tip swab inside the cheek. This is then tissue-typed and added to the registry. If there is a potential match to a patient, the next step is to take a sample of blood for further analysis. If there is an exact match then the procedure for collecting the cells is done in one of two ways. Most often, they are collected through the circulating bloodstream in an apheresis-like procedure. Less common is to collect the cells from the bone marrow in an outpatient procedure with some type of anesthesia. The patient’s condition determines the collection method. You are only asked to donate if there is a specific patient you match who is in need. Our event on January 17th is only to get on the registry. Please see the following websites for more information on this.

http://www.marrow.org

http://www.mayoclinic.com

I would have never had known how simple a process this is had it not been for knowing what Kristen was going through. I suspect the general public does not either. Please visit the web sites and show up on January 17th to potentially save someone's life. You must be between the ages of 18-60 years old and in good health to register with the NMDP (National Marrow Donor Program).

Event:
Neuqua Valley HS
2360 95th St.
Naperville, IL 60564
Enter the main campus rotunda door # 1

You can also send donations to help with stem cell testing costs.
Please make check payable to Kristen Capawan fund.

Kristen Capawan Fund
c/o Karen Johnson
4536 Barr Creek LN
Naperville, IL 60564
--

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Need a laugh...

Sharing the following email with you:


If you sometimes feel a little useless, offended or depressed...
Always remember that YOU were once the fastest and most victorious little sperm out of millions.


Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.


Sometimes I wonder...
"Why is That Frisbee Getting Bigger?"
... and Then it Hits Me.


A friend will stop you from overreacting.
A best friend will WALK beside you giggling: " Someone is gonna to get it!"


We will be friends until we are old and senile.
Then, we will be NEW friends.

--

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

My New Challenge

My new challenge for 2009 is teaching my 22 years old son Chinese. He has Grade 3 Chinese from extra-curriculum.

I started by teaching him "The Three Words Sutra" 《三字經》…人之初,性本善。He found it a bit too advance, so I am now teaching him "The Prajna Paramita Heart Sutra" 《般若波羅蜜多心經》 instead.

He could recite The Prajna Paramita Heart Sutra in Chinese and in English when he was a teenager. Therefore, for him to learn the Chinese words, is not too difficult, he can pair each pronunciation with each Chinese character. And he can understand the overall meaning with the recitation of the Sutra in English. How convenient.

Now I see how I can ripe my fruit of spending endless hours forcing my kids to recite Sutra. Like many things in life, only time can tell the benefits. Also you need to apply wisdom (Prajna) to accelerate and magnify the earnings.

--

Monday, January 12, 2009

My story of Dr. Hui

Few weeks ago, my daughters had their wisdom teeth removed by an oral and Maxillofacial surgeon, Dr. Donald Hui.

The day after the surgery, Dr. Hui phoned us and inquired on how the girls were doing, whether there were any problems or concerns. I was amused by his personal touch and consideration.

Later, I found the following comments about him from the web:

* The best and nicest oral surgeon I know :)

* Awesome service! HE IS very honest, nice and makes you feel very comfortable! Looks out for his patients and very effective. Would recommend him to everyone I know who needs dental surgery!

* Amazing Surgeon and staff. Very helpful and considerate. Even called me at home to see what I was doing. Wouldn't go anywhere else. His assistant, Zara, is very nice and easy to deal with.

* i was terrified to have my wisdom teeth taken out, Dr Hui was fabulous. he tried to make me feel comfortable and was very patient. after i was finished i felt great, i hardly had any pain after and no complications at all.. he did an amazing job and i would recommend him to anybody!

Last week my younger daughter had an infection from the removal. Dr. Hui phoned us to find out what the problem was, before our dental appointment the following day; phoned our pharmacist to give prescription for anti-biotic; phoned us again to tell us we could pick up the prescription. Again I was very thrilled by his efficiency and thoughtfulness. Where on earth can you find a doctor like that? Is he real?

It was then I told myself I should find out if he was married or had any girlfriend. If the answer is negative, I will introduce him to my best friend’s daughter, to see if they are meant for each other.

So that is my story of Dr. Hui for now.

--

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Woman has Man in it

Sharing the following email with you:



Woman has Man in it;
Mrs. has Mr . in it;
Female has Male in it;
She has He in it;
Madam has Adam in it;

Okay, Okay, it all makes sense now... I never looked at it this way before...



Ever notice how all of women's problems start with MEN?

MENtal illness
MENstrual cramps
MENtal breakdown
MENopause
GUY necologist
AND When we have REAL trouble, it's a HISterectomy.


Send this to all the women you know to brighten their day.
Send this to all the men just to annoy them ......

Remember You Don't Stop Laughing Because You Grow Old,
You Grow Old Because You Stop Laughing !

--

Thursday, January 8, 2009

The beauty of light


Straight from the mountain of Mordor...

...just kidding. Just the Himalayan salt lamp Mary and my son got me for Christmas.

Light in Buddhism symbolizes application, usage, function and "benefiting - oneself as well as others".

Light brings brightness and warmth to the world.

Fire is the element and light is the utility.

Fire, together with water, air and earth are the four elements of life.

Thank you son, for reminding mom the beauty of living.
--

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

How to sneeze...

Dear all,

Think you know how to sneeze?? Listen to the expert ....

Click onto the following youtube:

http://www.youtube.com:80/watch?v=ao7eyqoiIYs


Namaste
Yueh-Yun (Eva) Hsu

Buddhism instead of Capitialism

Just got a call from Anthony discussing how we should practice Buddhism in 2009.

We agreed on the time, place and books so everything is set to go. Things go so smooth because everyone compromises and we have each others best interest in mind.

After seeing the shortfalls of Existentialism, Socialism and Capitalism, it is easier to recognize that true Buddhism is the solution to all the ultimate problems.

--

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Star Wars Kid


My 24 years old son is a super Star Wars kid.

He posted the above photo in his flickr.com and wrote:
"Me having some fun with my FX Light Saber. I challenge you Star Wars Kids! "

Chris, my daughter's boyfriend, commented: "Nice! I'm sure your mother is very proud. You could work for Microsoft and make Windows wallpapers, or even screen savers! "

Instead of having a son who is a doctor or lawyer, I am equally proud that my son is a Star Wars kid.

His quest for existential Truth can be: "What is the FORCE?"
--

Monday, January 5, 2009

The kind of love

Received the following email and sharing it with you:


"Grace Yang is Amazing

I have seen her in the news on Taiwan TV.

She plays piano and paints with her feet, becuase she has no arms.

How would someone embrace you if she has no arms? You feel so touched by hearing how joyful she is so you embrace her.

She has no father, so a priest took her in so she found love, not the kind based on need or desire.

The kind of love I wished you last Christmas, the kind which you want to last.

lkw

(Postscript: i saw a young man writing chinese caligraphy outside Causeway Bay Sogo tonight - no arms, with his brush tied to his head, the characters facing you - i.e. turned around. Now can anyone say he's too busy practising anything?) "

Lung Zhi responses:

We need more compassion and metta kind of love in this world, not the kind based on desire and need.

--

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Circumstantial

Sharing the following email with you:
.
A little "pharmacist" humour

A nice, calm and respectable lady went into the pharmacy, right up to the pharmacist, looked straight into his eyes, and said, “I would like to buy some cyanide.”

The pharmacist asked, “Why in the world do you need cyanide?”

The lady replied, “I need it to poison my husband.”

The pharmacist’s eyes got big and he exclaimed, “Lord have mercy! I can’t give you cyanide to kill your husband! That’s against the law! I’ll lose my license! They’ll throw both of us in jail!
All kinds of bad things will happen. Absolutely not! You CANNOT have any cyanide!”

The lady reached into her purse and pulled out a picture of her husband in bed with the pharmacist’s wife.

The pharmacist looked at the picture and replied, “Well now. That’s different. You didn’t tell me you had a prescription.”

Friday, January 2, 2009

How the Tax System works

Sharing the following email that I received with you:

HOW THE TAX SYSTEM WORKS

Suppose that every day, ten men go out for beer and the bill for all ten comes to £100. If they paid their bill the way we pay our taxes, it would go something like this:

The first four men (the poorest) would pay nothing.
The fifth would pay £1.
The sixth would pay £3.
The seventh would pay £7.
The eighth would pay £12.
The ninth would pay £18.
The tenth man (the richest) would pay £59.

So, that's what they decided to do. The ten men drank in the bar every day and seemed quite happy with the arrangement, until one day, the owner threw them a curve. 'Since you are all such good customers,' he said, 'I'm going to reduce the cost of your daily beer by £20.' Drinks for the ten now cost just £80.

The group still wanted to pay their bill the way we pay our taxes so the first four men were unaffected. They would still drink for free. But what about the other six men - the paying customers? How could they divide the £20 windfall so that everyone would get his 'fair share?'

They realized that £20 divided by six is £3.33. But if they subtracted that from everyone's share, then the fifth man and the sixth man would each end up being paid to drink his beer. So, the bar owner suggested that it would be fair to reduce each man's bill by roughly the same amount, and he proceeded to work out the amounts each should pay. And so:

The fifth man, like the first four, now paid nothing (100% savings).
The sixth now paid £2 instead of £3 (33%savings).
The seventh now pay £5 instead of £7 (28%savings).
The eighth now paid £9 instead of £12 (25% savings).
The ninth now paid £14 instead of £18 (22% savings).
The tenth now paid £49 instead of £59 (16% savings).
Each of the six was better off than before. And the first four continued to drink for free.

But once outside the restaurant, the men began to compare their savings. 'I only got a pound out of the £20,' declared the sixth man. He pointed to the tenth man, 'but he got £10! '

''Yes, that's right," exclaimed the fifth man. "I only saved a pound, too. It's unfair that he got ten times more than I did."

''That's true!!' shouted the seventh man. 'Why should he get £10 back when I got only two? The wealthy get all the breaks.'

''Wait a minute,' yelled the first four men in unison. 'We didn't get anything at all. The system exploits the poor'. The nine men surrounded the tenth and beat him up.

The next night the tenth man didn't show up for drinks, so the nine sat down and had beers without him. But when it came time to pay the bill, they discovered something important. They didn't have enough money between all of them for even half of the bill.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, journalists and college professors, is how our tax system works.

The people who pay the highest taxes get the most benefit from a tax reduction. Tax them too much, attack them for being wealthy, and they just may not show up anymore. In fact, they might start drinking overseas where the atmosphere is somewhat friendlier.

David R. Kamerschen,
Ph.D.Professor of Economics

For those who understand, no explanation is needed.
For those who do not understand, no explanation is possible.

***********************
My comment:

If you have large amount of tax to pay, be graceful that you have that opportunity and ability.

If you have no tax to pay, make you contribution to the society through other means. ie. by being a good parent or spouse or...

By and large, let's make each of our existence meaningful.

--