Monumental Moment

I did it!  I ran the LA marathon yesterday.  The marathon is one of the greatest events that the LA county puts together because it really unites the community.  Over 40,000 people attended the event.  We had more than 25,200 runners, walkers and wheelchair athletes.  Going into the race, I didn't know if I would be able to finish 26.2 miles, but once I got there and started the run, I knew I would finish.  The energy the crowd provided was invigorating.  I had so many people, runners and sideline motivators alike, giving me encouraging words along the way.  I thought that the run was going to be a battle of the mind, but I found out that it is a battle of the physique.  My body stiffened up, and my muscles tightened.  It took all my willpower to keep going despite the pain.  In the end, I didn't mind the discomfort because the feeling of accomplishment was joy in itself.  Who wants to join me for next year's marathon?

Thank you to all who gave me your support.  I greatly appreciated your kind words and encouragement.

I tag: kycwong, speedysonic, socratech, priscilc, mysuebaru

Be a Man.  Do the Right Thing.

For those of you who are not familiar with Russell Peters, let me introduce you to him.  He's a Canadian Indian comedian.  His imitations of various accents are hilarious.  Watch some of his video downloads from the following website: http://www.helpms.ca/russellpeters.htm   My personal favorite is "Business with Chinese."  For those who are in the Los Angeles area, you might be interested to know that he's having a show at UCLA Royce hall in two weeks.  Anyone interested in attending the show? 

One of my favorite pictures...

Doug, Jennie and I

There is nothing striking about this picture.  There is no special effects.  It's simply three people posing for a picture who appear to be good friends.  That is where the deception lies.  At the time of the picture, the three of us hardly knew one another.  I met Jennie that day during our white coat ceremony.  Doug and Jennie met a few days prior during orientation.  On that particular day, Jennie and I were chatting and was approached by Doug, who proceeded to converse with Jennie.  Doug's father saw us and asked us to take a picture together.  In the aftermath, Doug revealed that he had only wanted to take a picture with Jennie since she was the only one he knew.  However, he hypothesized that his father was looking out for his son by prompting him to take pictures with all the hot ladies.  Maybe this picture had some magical workings because we have become friends, which only makes it so much more memorable.  Yesterday, at a school banquet, we decided to recreate our first meeting.  Doesn't it make you want to say "aaaawwww"?         

I phrased this question to my co-workers one day, "Do you frequent a place so often that the employees recognize your face, know your name or know your order?"

One co-worker told me that there's a Starbucks in San Marino, CA where the manager recognizes the faces of frequent customers and will exchange pleasantries with them.  I'm a bit envious because the Starbucks that I frequent never has the same employees working on the same days of the week.  Although I always go 2-3 times a week, especially every Saturday, in the morning at approximately the same time and never fail to order a grande white chocolate mocha without whip cream, sadly no one recognizes me.

A pharmacist who I work with shared his story of a habitual customer who visits his Ralph's store on a daily basis.  He's a mid 70 year old man who goes to the same Ralph's every morning at the same time.  He first chats with the pharmacist and then proceeds to buy one item from the store.  Although he purchases a different item every day, it's always only one item.  When he buys toilet paper, he measures the various brands with a ruler and selects the thickest rolls.  When he uses the toilet paper, he uses only two plies with each use and neatly folds them after each wipe.  He calculates his toilet paper usage and knows exactly when he will run out.  For the past 26 years, he eats a hamburger for dinner, although the meal is bought from different restuarants.  Every day is a routine.  He has a daily agenda.  He never does anything out of the ordinary.   

I asked the pharmacist, "Do you think he has obsessive compulsive disorder?"

His reply was, "No, he's an engineer."

I chuckled to myself because I immediately thought of you, Nina.  Anyone who knows Nina will know that her explanation for any of her peculiarities is "it's because I'm an engineer." 

In some ways, all our lives are somewhat routine, although not as extreme as the Ralph's customer of course.  Habits give predictability and security in life.  However, once in awhile, venture out of your comfort zone and try something new.  You might discover a new interest. 

Do you have a place where everybody knows your name?  Do you know anyone who takes routine to the extreme?  Share your story.