so who's on the spotlite® today?

 
| today's special: my daddio |


now that i'm home, i've learned to appreciate my parents more and more. it's the small things you notice that mean a lot.
recently, i've overcome that stage of thinking my parents are just 'parents'. i'm starting to see the reality of it and how they're people just like you and me, taking off that parential crown they've worn for the past 20 years, and looking at them on a deeper level. not just a daddy who pays for my bills or a mother who pushes me to the best. but people who were once children, once adolescents.

my dad - though a big man with minimal words is a great man. i believe i am the one of the very few people who actually know him. looking beyond his core, i see past the grumpy face and introverted personna and see a jolly, hardworking man who's loving and humourous. there are many things my father has done that he should have been awarded for, but humbly he says not a word and takes no acknowledgement. that is something i respect him for, and find myself trying to follow in his footsteps.
my dad is the hardest working man i know. every morning he wakes at 4:30 to be at work for 5:00 so that he can open the company door and stays in his office until all paper work is completed. even on days off, he still wakes up a 5 to go to work. that always boggles my mind. weekends are not called for working and yet he still goes to his office. it's almost like he doesn't KNOW how to relax and not do anything affiliated with work. haha. silly daddio.

anyway, my favourite thing that he does which makes me smile are his emails. here is a small example of what i mean:
after telling him about my decision to auditon for the germany trip:

Hi Erica;
WOW! ASTOUNDING! FANTASTIC! BRILLIANT! UNREAL! GO FOR IT!
Dad

and when i asked him to print something off at the office cause our printer broke down:

Hi Erica;
Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo problem.
Dad

haha, the last one's my all time favourite. i find it ironic and rather comical that my quiet father would respond in such a fashion. only those who know of him would understand why i'm chuckling right now. anyway, i just want to show my appreciation for my daddy and let everyone know i have the greatest dad in the world. love you much pops.
spotlite shun by erics* ~ 5:16 PM

 
| today's special: andy yu aka. e-cheung |


my uncle has got to be one of most brilliant and kind uncles i know - and that's including the *uncles* you call *uncle* but really aren't according to the family tree. my uncle andy, is the husband of my mother's older sister maria. of all the 7 brothers and sisters on my mother's side, we visit the Yu family the most. at every festive and celebration, we go to their home to indulge in great home cooked dishes and stuff ourselves with uncle andy's infamous desserts. hmmm....christmas pudding.

anyhow, my family (minus ivan since he's in AUS) was invited for dinner on easter weekend. i have not seen the yu family since christmas, when uncle andy was going through a difficult period in his time. he had retina surgury. his sight has never been at its absolute best. i think e-cheung's trademark was his -1000 prescription plastic black glasses. little did i know, he was struggling with his eyesight as it has deteriorated drastically. the eye specialist told him he needed cataract surgery to improve the vision.

during the dinner, uncle andy read an open letter to his wife which was written with such eloquence and flare. i was riveted by his words, almost leading to tears. through this difficult time and struggle, he has gained a love for his family like no other and was reminded of how deep the love runs in the family and how much we supported and prayed for him during the crucial procedure. so his letter was an open, generous thank you to everyone seated at the table. i thought it was touching, and coming from a man who hardly shows emotion, was very courageous of him.

i am proud to have an uncle like e-cheung.
spotlite shun by erics* ~ 11:29 PM

 
| today's special: sofia vi |

sofia sofia sofia. oh where do i start? some people's initial reaction to sofia when they first meet her: crazy. outgoing. LOUD. friendly. spunky. cute. petite. hilarious. owns the greatest laugh. spiritual. caring. easy-going. approachable. indeed she is all of those things. but i'd probably add in potential opera singer. ha! with that laugh? vibratto and staccatoed notes come easy. *grin* when i first met sofia, i knew we'd click. i remember our first conversation being a clamor of giggles and contagious laughing. we really do know how to feed off each other's humour. it is because of our similar traits, being extroverted, well humoured and amusable that we get along so extraordinarily well. it's great having a sister like her. i enjoy her company. when we talk, sofia usually does the listening, which is a huge sacrifice for someone so talkative and open-minded like her. and i believe her to be a great listener. a lot of energy and thought-provoking ideas flow when i personally converse with sofia. one thing i highly admire about sofia is her faith and trust in God. from what i know, she has never fallen short from prayer - always praying. always believing. in the darkess and most strenous of times, she can still find peace for she puts her burdens in the hands of the Lord. God shines through her all the time and I just love watching her.

*sofia*
you are one of a kind and it has been a great blessing having you in my life. this term has been difficult with your absence but i look forward to fall term together when many more memories and fond moments can be shared. thank you sister for loving me and for being so understanding. God made a beautiful person in you. *muah*
*love ya*
spotlite shun by erics* ~ 1:28 PM