Great local Library

Very good Kid section. There are computers for kids, too. Elva loves that place.

神為我開路，在絕望無路之處。

Maybe you don't understand that Chinese title, it says God will make a way for me; even at where is hopeless to find a road.

This week is a local low point for me. You know I am in divorce process and I am selling the house. But only few know that I got laid off from job pass Thursday and when I moved my stuff from office in a big box, I pull my left shoulder and 2 days later, it had become a sharp pain so that I can't raise my left arm. I went to see a Chinese acupuncture doctor Dr. Wang. He is very good. After the first treatment, the continuous pain is gone, after three treatments, I can move my arm a little. But I can't move my arm overhead without huge pain. If I need to reach above my head with my left arm, I have to use my right hand to hold up my left arm, then it can stay there.

Although being at such a low point, I felt peaceful. It's hard to understand if you are not a Christian. Well, not completely peaceful, more like somewhat peaceful, and I still have little doubt. Like what am I going to do? Can I find a job at such a bad economic down turn. California unemployment rate is over 11%. I believe God will take care of me, but will He? I was seeking confirmation from Him.

This Sunday morning, as I walked into ROLCC church, I knew God is going to send his confirmation to me, so I waited. It's not unusual that pastor give out hope and God's promise of tomorrow. But at the end, he picked this worship hymns:
神為我開路，在絕望無路之處。
祂的方式，難以明瞭，祂卻要為我開路，
神要引導我，願我靠近祂身旁。
在每一天，賜慈愛力量，祂為我開路。

You probably didn't know I was away from ROLCC for more than three years (because my ex doesn't like there) I just got back there after we separated half year after. When I first jointed ROLCC, maybe after 3, 4 months, I got laid off, too. A month and half later, I landed a better job and at end, I walk out with 750,000 worth of stock option. This time around, when I got laid off, I don't surprised as much. I believe He is going to open up a better door for me, although I don't know what that is yet.

The Lyrics says: His way is hard to understand, but He is going to make a way for me. I think the fact I got laid off and my arm got hurt were all His ways. So I boldly asked confirmation from Him. I prayed: If this is your way, if you are going to make a way for me, please let me raise my left hand to praise you. In the middle of hymns, I raised both my arms not only once, but twice to praise Him without any pain; a little sore at worst. I raised my arms or minutes before I put them down. I know it's His sign to tell me: Don't worry, your way is in My hand.

Not enough confirmation? When I walk out that church and I knew what will happen. I tried to raise my left arm, a sharp pain back into my shoulder and I couldn't do that. I tried twice, try to mimic the same way I did it inside church, but I just couldn't, the pain was too much. Dear Lord, thank you. I totally believe you now, You can take away my shoulder problem now, if You wish.

=== above post at 8/2/2009 ===

If you wonder what happens to my arm, I am glade to tell you, as today, my left arm is free to do almost everything, only a little sore in my shoulder. Even the doctor is surprised that I recovered so fast. Praise the Lord!
Now what? My house is pending (buyers removed all contingencies) . I need to look for a place to rent and I still need a job. I know my God will take care of me. Even at this economic down turn.

Another week and another friends

Hot day with cold creek water.

Another little girl friend of Elva in the park


Elva meets Dinosaur

Friend at park

They hold hands, ride scooter together. Happy time at park.

Elva love basball

Elva Loves to play baseball and running. She runs really well as her age. I bought her a toy bat and ball set.

I will have more update photo later

Test new camera

I bought a new camera from Walmart.com It's a Kodak 10MP with 3X optical zoom + stabilizer. Even with 2GB SD included only sell for $99. So cheap! This is my test photo that Elva is playing making phone call. She said to me: " I am on phone call, please don't disturb!"

And the other one, you can see her hand prints on glass panel easily.

My next run (and post run photo)

Pacifica trail run 21KM
They also have 50km route, but I am not trained for another long distance run yet and there are a colleague at work and his friend will also run. Although it's just another half marathon distance (which I do almost weekly or bi-weekly). But this trail has 3000ft elevation difference, so it could be another challenge. And it has very few aid station, so I have to carry my own water/sport drink, lucky i have Camelbak. Here are two different maps.


(Post-run update) Ok, I did it this weekend, The trail is narrow at most of places. For 4/5 of course, if anyone want to pass, we have to make arrangement (like one stop at side). And the uphills are steep and long. I managed to run all the uphill at first part, but I lost my strength at second course when encounter uphill, However, I still manage to run all the not so uphill and downhills. My total time is 2 hrs 50 mins, not very great but I did it. Two photo are taken after the run, see how dirty my shoes and legs are? I am not so tired after the run. Oh, I think I definitely need to lose weight, most of runners are much lighter than me. That's why they can run uphills.

Love Mizuno more than Brooks

I don't know why running evolution didn't recommend Mizuno to me before? I love them. I goit a pair of Mizuno's Wave Rider 11 (last year's product and I got them online for $59.99) when I try them on the first time, I know they are for me. After certain running, I am even more sure about that. It's light weight and they provide enough cushion. I also determine to lose weight so I would run better with less pressure on my knees.
If anyone want to buy me gift, I can always use another pair of these. (a pair will only last 3 months or so on my training schedule)
My size is 10EE (wide),

My knee pain is gone (miraculously)

I had this knee pain before I ran marathon, worsen after I ran. Rest for more than a week and it still won't go away. I ran few times 3-4 miles after the big race and it became unbearable pain. I was limping these couple of days. Today I went online to research running related knee pain and found there is a name for this kind of knee pain. It's called runner's knee. On the webpage, it has explaination about how this can happen and a way to test if my pain is caused by runner's knee. Above all, there are treatment and exercise I should use. As a matter of fact, the exercise itself marked as treatment. Huh? I did that simple 3 steps exercise include how to twist my foot and tighten my thigh muscle. . . After that simple exercise, I notice the pain is gone when I walk. It just leave a feeling there as if something is not completely right. But at least I can walk, run a little. I beleive I would be able to run after some more test. Isn't it wonderful?


And I registered my next marathon at Oct 25, 2009 Silicon valley marathon

My Big Sur Marathon frame

I use some of real thing from the Marathon and made myself a frame. There are my number bib. (3844. Yes and my 44th birthday is coming in few days) My medallion, and my D-tag. there are also my photo at run, and my certtificate of completion ... All stack up in this 3-D frame.