Tuesday, December 31, 2002
Lifehouse ~ "Breathing"
i've found a long way back to sanity again
though I don't really know what I'm gonna do
when I get there...
take a breath and hold on tight
and spin around one more time
and gracefully fall back to the arms of grace...
'cause i'm hanging on every word you say
and even if you don't wanna speak tonight
that's alright, alright with me
'cause I want nothing more
than to sit outside Heaven's door
and listen to you breathing
it's where i wanna be, yeah...
where i wanna be...
i'm looking past the shadows in my mind
into the truth?...
trying to identify the voices in my head
God, i wish it were you...
let me feel one more time what it
feels like to feel...
and break these callouses off of me one more time
'cause i'm hanging on every word you say
and even if you don't wanna speak tonight
that's alright, alright with me
'cause i want nothing more
than to sit outside your door
and listen to you breathing
it's where i wanna be...
i don't want a thing from you
i bet you're tired of me...
waiting for the scratch to fall off
your table to the ground...
'cause i just wanna be here now...
'cause i'm hanging on every word you say
and even if you don't wanna speak tonight
that's alright, alright with me
'cause I want nothing more
than to sit outside Heaven's door
and listen to you breathing
it's where I wanna be...
where I wanna be...
i've found a long way back to sanity again
though I don't really know what I'm gonna do
when I get there...
take a breath and hold on tight
and spin around one more time
and gracefully fall back to the arms of grace...
'cause i'm hanging on every word you say
and even if you don't wanna speak tonight
that's alright, alright with me
'cause I want nothing more
than to sit outside Heaven's door
and listen to you breathing
it's where i wanna be, yeah...
where i wanna be...
i'm looking past the shadows in my mind
into the truth?...
trying to identify the voices in my head
God, i wish it were you...
let me feel one more time what it
feels like to feel...
and break these callouses off of me one more time
'cause i'm hanging on every word you say
and even if you don't wanna speak tonight
that's alright, alright with me
'cause i want nothing more
than to sit outside your door
and listen to you breathing
it's where i wanna be...
i don't want a thing from you
i bet you're tired of me...
waiting for the scratch to fall off
your table to the ground...
'cause i just wanna be here now...
'cause i'm hanging on every word you say
and even if you don't wanna speak tonight
that's alright, alright with me
'cause I want nothing more
than to sit outside Heaven's door
and listen to you breathing
it's where I wanna be...
where I wanna be...
Monday, December 30, 2002
12.30~~Caught the Lord of the Rings 2 yesterday at Pacific Place w/ my cousin Harry. After seein' the flick, we scoped out Westlake Mall for some deals at Electronics Boutique [none really], and I grubbed on some rice, orange chicken, and a beef & broccoli dish...
This morning I did some maintenance on my Accord w/ the help of my Uncle Sonny, and drove it around for the first time since I've been back for about an hour or so. What's funny is that my car's manual tranny, and I forgot how to operate it for a few seconds...ha, ha. Guess I'm a quick study 'cause it all came back to me after like 2 minutes. Still runs beautifully, which makes me reconsider that blue '03 Civic I've been plannin' to pick up early this May when I'm back fr. SatCom training...
This morning I did some maintenance on my Accord w/ the help of my Uncle Sonny, and drove it around for the first time since I've been back for about an hour or so. What's funny is that my car's manual tranny, and I forgot how to operate it for a few seconds...ha, ha. Guess I'm a quick study 'cause it all came back to me after like 2 minutes. Still runs beautifully, which makes me reconsider that blue '03 Civic I've been plannin' to pick up early this May when I'm back fr. SatCom training...
Friday, December 27, 2002
Here’s a brief synopsis of what I’ve done since I’ve been back home...
12.22~~Enjoyin’ my first full day back, and fixin’ up my room which was apparently thrashed by some siblings and cousins that wanted to play on my PS2 and guitar. It wasn’t that bad actually, just clothes strewn around the room, and DVD’s and PS 1 and 2 games sprawled all over the carpet...
12.23~~Finished my top secret security clearance for the Washington ANG at my base, the 143rd Combat Communications Squadron which is right here in Sea-Town, near the Boeing facilities off of East Marginal Way. Ended up callin’ up some old HS friends, since the security clearance requires references that go back at least 5 years, and we talked about what we’ve been up to the last few years. Can’t believe it’s been almost 6 years since I’ve conversated w/ some of these fellas and ladies...
12.24~~Christmas Eve! Hung out w/ the family on my mom’s side, just chillin’ out and enjoyin’ the festivities and splurging on the authentic Philippine grub I’ve been sorely missin’ the last few months. Did some last minute Christmas shopping at Westlake Mall, which is in the heart of Downtown Seattle, and caught the new Rob Schneider flick “The Hot Chick.” Freakin’ hilarious, I dig his movies ‘cause Rob has that certain comedic bumbling Filipino style that’s so prevalent in Philippine comedies. Guess it’s sensical since he’s half-Filipino after all...
12.25~~Christmas Day! Spent it w/ the family on my Dad’s side, at my Uncle Gady and Auntie Joyce’s house in Renton, WA. Thoroughly enjoyed the food, festivities [yearly gift exchange, presents etc.] and the company. Found out that my cousins still regularly keep in contact w/ the world class speedskater Apolo Ohno, and actually accompanied Apolo to the inaugural 2002 Seahawks opener where he did the coin toss that determines which team kicks and receives. Cool, eh? I also talked a lot w/ them about the Air Force and what life’s like in Basic Training and in Tech. School, providing a lot of insight particularly to my cousins Rachele and Rod who actually plan to enlist next year [hmm...could I have contributed to their interest perhaps? =] Later on a bunch of us caught the DiCaprio flick “Gangs of New York,” hittin’ up the Denny’s across from Sea-Tac Mall afterwards where I grabbed myself a club sandwich, fries, buffalo wings, and an ice water as usual...
12.26~~Spent the previous night at my Auntie Lita’s house in Federal Way, WA. She cooked up breakfast for all of us young’uns, and at around 11am my cousins Rod, Rachele and my brother Mike decided to hit up the SuperMall to check out the post Christmas deals bein’ offered. On the way, we dropped off my dad at Emerald Downs, and it was right there at the front gates of the NW horse racin’ mecca that the handicappin’ urge took hold, and I decided to skip perusin’ the mall and wager on the Golden Gate and Santa Anita simulcasts, arrangin’ to be picked up at around 4pm, at which point I’d hopefully be a bit thicker in the wallet. Had a blast bein’ there, even though I didn’t catch any “trophy caliber fishes”...ha, ha...
Also celebrated the Supes victory over the Raptors, which ended their unbelievably hard luck 4-game losing streak, losin’ by a combined seven points over the 4-game span...
As for the remainder of my 2-week respite here in Seatown, which ends Jan. 2...
12.27~~Gonna help out my ol’ UW bruthas Chong and Gar w/ filming a sequel to their famed “Gee Fei Hong” classic for an on-campus ministry called AACF. If you’re wonderin’, AACF’s a University of Washington ministry that reaches out to the Asian collegiate populace...
12.28~~Plan to perform some general maintenance on my Accord [i.e. installing a new battery, checkin’ tire pressure, etc.]. Shootin’ pool at a joint called Vintage’s off of Pac Highway is on the agenda for 7pm, w/ my dad, brother and cousin Rod, two of which have been incessantly braggin’ about their skillz, while I’ve been on the hush-hush about my own. Thing I haven’t divulged is the fact I’ve been playin’ pool a lot while I’ve been in tech. school these last 4 months, since the Air Force dorms come equipped w/ tournament caliber tables. It’ll definitely be interesting to find out who ends up winnin’ the most games of 8 and 9-ball, even though I’ve got a strong hunch...ha, ha...
12.29-1.1~~Still open for the most part, but by this time I’m hopin’ that I’ve gathered up enough strength to ask her out before I bounce fr. Sea-Town. Lookin’ over the cliff’s edge, and it’s real daunting. Somehow I’ve gotta convince myself that it ain’t so far down...
12.22~~Enjoyin’ my first full day back, and fixin’ up my room which was apparently thrashed by some siblings and cousins that wanted to play on my PS2 and guitar. It wasn’t that bad actually, just clothes strewn around the room, and DVD’s and PS 1 and 2 games sprawled all over the carpet...
12.23~~Finished my top secret security clearance for the Washington ANG at my base, the 143rd Combat Communications Squadron which is right here in Sea-Town, near the Boeing facilities off of East Marginal Way. Ended up callin’ up some old HS friends, since the security clearance requires references that go back at least 5 years, and we talked about what we’ve been up to the last few years. Can’t believe it’s been almost 6 years since I’ve conversated w/ some of these fellas and ladies...
12.24~~Christmas Eve! Hung out w/ the family on my mom’s side, just chillin’ out and enjoyin’ the festivities and splurging on the authentic Philippine grub I’ve been sorely missin’ the last few months. Did some last minute Christmas shopping at Westlake Mall, which is in the heart of Downtown Seattle, and caught the new Rob Schneider flick “The Hot Chick.” Freakin’ hilarious, I dig his movies ‘cause Rob has that certain comedic bumbling Filipino style that’s so prevalent in Philippine comedies. Guess it’s sensical since he’s half-Filipino after all...
12.25~~Christmas Day! Spent it w/ the family on my Dad’s side, at my Uncle Gady and Auntie Joyce’s house in Renton, WA. Thoroughly enjoyed the food, festivities [yearly gift exchange, presents etc.] and the company. Found out that my cousins still regularly keep in contact w/ the world class speedskater Apolo Ohno, and actually accompanied Apolo to the inaugural 2002 Seahawks opener where he did the coin toss that determines which team kicks and receives. Cool, eh? I also talked a lot w/ them about the Air Force and what life’s like in Basic Training and in Tech. School, providing a lot of insight particularly to my cousins Rachele and Rod who actually plan to enlist next year [hmm...could I have contributed to their interest perhaps? =] Later on a bunch of us caught the DiCaprio flick “Gangs of New York,” hittin’ up the Denny’s across from Sea-Tac Mall afterwards where I grabbed myself a club sandwich, fries, buffalo wings, and an ice water as usual...
12.26~~Spent the previous night at my Auntie Lita’s house in Federal Way, WA. She cooked up breakfast for all of us young’uns, and at around 11am my cousins Rod, Rachele and my brother Mike decided to hit up the SuperMall to check out the post Christmas deals bein’ offered. On the way, we dropped off my dad at Emerald Downs, and it was right there at the front gates of the NW horse racin’ mecca that the handicappin’ urge took hold, and I decided to skip perusin’ the mall and wager on the Golden Gate and Santa Anita simulcasts, arrangin’ to be picked up at around 4pm, at which point I’d hopefully be a bit thicker in the wallet. Had a blast bein’ there, even though I didn’t catch any “trophy caliber fishes”...ha, ha...
Also celebrated the Supes victory over the Raptors, which ended their unbelievably hard luck 4-game losing streak, losin’ by a combined seven points over the 4-game span...
As for the remainder of my 2-week respite here in Seatown, which ends Jan. 2...
12.27~~Gonna help out my ol’ UW bruthas Chong and Gar w/ filming a sequel to their famed “Gee Fei Hong” classic for an on-campus ministry called AACF. If you’re wonderin’, AACF’s a University of Washington ministry that reaches out to the Asian collegiate populace...
12.28~~Plan to perform some general maintenance on my Accord [i.e. installing a new battery, checkin’ tire pressure, etc.]. Shootin’ pool at a joint called Vintage’s off of Pac Highway is on the agenda for 7pm, w/ my dad, brother and cousin Rod, two of which have been incessantly braggin’ about their skillz, while I’ve been on the hush-hush about my own. Thing I haven’t divulged is the fact I’ve been playin’ pool a lot while I’ve been in tech. school these last 4 months, since the Air Force dorms come equipped w/ tournament caliber tables. It’ll definitely be interesting to find out who ends up winnin’ the most games of 8 and 9-ball, even though I’ve got a strong hunch...ha, ha...
12.29-1.1~~Still open for the most part, but by this time I’m hopin’ that I’ve gathered up enough strength to ask her out before I bounce fr. Sea-Town. Lookin’ over the cliff’s edge, and it’s real daunting. Somehow I’ve gotta convince myself that it ain’t so far down...
Tuesday, December 24, 2002
it's been six years, Xuan
three passions I found remain
God, tennis, and you
Saturday, December 21, 2002
12.21~~Back in Sea-Town!
Wednesday, December 18, 2002
12.18~~Been here at Fort Gordon [Augusta, GA] for almost two weeks now, and I feel like I'm settled in and familiar with the base. This base has like over 5,000 Army personnel, and only 150 Air Force. It's funny, sometimes when I walk around this base in my "blues" [AF service uniform] or eat at the various dining facilities [aka "chow halls"], I feel like royalty w/ Army folks thinkin' I'm some kind of high ranking Air Force guy. Speakin' of ranks, this February 2003 I'll actually be movin' up a rank to Senior Airman, which is equivalent to the E-4 grade. Man, thinkin' my TI [training instructor] back in basic was an E-5, and that only 5 months separated from BMT I'd be only one notch away fr. the ol' dude SSgt. Myers, it's kinda mind-boggling considering he's spent over 13 years in the AF, and myself a measly 5 months. Started the 1st block of the Satellite, Wideband, Telemetry systems course this past Monday. It's supposed to be a block that takes 7.5 days, but will most likely end up being more like 9 because we'll be finishing it up after the Christmas exodus, and people will still be gettin' their minds out of the gutter, shakin' off and castin' aside the civilian persona...
Only !2 days! [*raisin' roof!*] until I get back to Sea-town, WA for the 2-week Christmas exodus...and about 4 months until I get back to the Sea-town AF Guard unit to do the once-a-month weekend SatCom drill thang, for good...
Only !2 days! [*raisin' roof!*] until I get back to Sea-town, WA for the 2-week Christmas exodus...and about 4 months until I get back to the Sea-town AF Guard unit to do the once-a-month weekend SatCom drill thang, for good...
Sunday, December 08, 2002
12.8~~Trifecta?...you betcha! Only 10 contestants entered this time, as I ended up winnin' a third straight 1st place trophy...
Today I'm packin' up for an flight leavin' 0815 tomorrow out of San Antonio IA to my next duty station- Fort Gordon AIN, Augusta GA...
Today I'm packin' up for an flight leavin' 0815 tomorrow out of San Antonio IA to my next duty station- Fort Gordon AIN, Augusta GA...
Thursday, December 05, 2002
12.5~~Alive and kickin' it at the Lackland AFB library, San Antonio TX...
I'm leavin' for Ft. Gordon, Augusta GA this upcoming Mon. the 9th, and set to be back home to Sea-Town WA on the 21st of this month, and... *drum roll*... goin' for a 3rd consecutive 1st place trophy in a karaoke contest held on-base every Saturday... =] Captured the 1st place trophies fr. my renditions of Santana's "Smooth," and Sugar Ray's "Answer the Phone"...nabbed a 2nd place fr. a rendition of James Ingram's "Just Once," the first that got things rollin'...
So the question remains...can Ichi-bro hit the Air Force karaoke trifecta? We'll see...
I'm leavin' for Ft. Gordon, Augusta GA this upcoming Mon. the 9th, and set to be back home to Sea-Town WA on the 21st of this month, and... *drum roll*... goin' for a 3rd consecutive 1st place trophy in a karaoke contest held on-base every Saturday... =] Captured the 1st place trophies fr. my renditions of Santana's "Smooth," and Sugar Ray's "Answer the Phone"...nabbed a 2nd place fr. a rendition of James Ingram's "Just Once," the first that got things rollin'...
So the question remains...can Ichi-bro hit the Air Force karaoke trifecta? We'll see...
