Singapore

How quickly I forgot how much I love Singapore. The heat, the sunshine... It reminds me of home in the USA and so maybe that is one reason. It is also so green. And by food standards I absolutely love it. Last night I had the privelege to go to No Signboard Seafood with a client and Calvin. Calvin had taken me here (though another, more local setting) last time I was here and I refuse to visit here ever again and not go to this eatery. Honestly it is one of the best meals I have eaten and last night was no disappointment. We ate so much. Our client, visiting from the US - and a very adventurous sort - loved it, too. We started with deep fried baby squid and quickly moved on to the white pepper crab. White pepper crab, which I have only seen here in Singapore, is one of my favorite foods. It is just such a refreshing taste. And to get down into the crab - you have to eat with your hands - seems like such a primitive thing that adds to the experience. We followed it up with Chili crab which is basically the national dish of Singapore. This crab is more spicy with a sort of curry, coconut, and spicy sauce. Once again we devoured the delictable dish. My meal was accompanied by coconuts which I drank in abundance while my two guests drowned themselves in beer. After dinner it was my queue to leave as they wanted to go out and drink some more and visit some "clubs." I went home like a good boy and went to bed.

Today I am switching hotels as this hotel is not that great and in a terrible spot for getting around. It is a holiday here (and in Hong Kong and most of Europe) - May Day. I think it is like labor day. I'm excited to spend the day here and will still be here for a few more days. I'll keep everyone posted on what I do. I think this afternoon I am heading to the bird park.

May 5th?

Well, the appointment today didn't go so well. Cari's high blood pressure has reached an all time high! Not sure if this was a result of me, Tommy, Andy or all of us put together. Anyway, she is sick as well and considering she has high protein, PIH etc, they are going to to check her Thursday, Sunday and induce her Monday regardless. I am sure she would like calls over the next few days to keep her in a good mood. And please yet at her to stay in bed. We have two grown men in the house and still can't seem to tie this woman down.

Gratz on finally making it home Tom! Let me know when you get Mario Kart. Tevs, if you pick up Mario Kart me and Tom can play online with the boys. I did skip a few birthdays I think, so let me know if they are not getting it soon... I will be a pain and buy it for them:-P

Welcome to Hazel

I think we should all guess the welcome day!
She very easily can enter this world on either Rachel's, Jesse's, Mary Pylick's, or Rachel's babies birthday.
I am guessing May 6th.
any other takers?

The Fear of Pain

My first week in Hong Kong this trip has gone quickly. It is hard to be away from family, but I really do like the office here and the people. It will be hard to leave them.

Yesterday during lunch I decided to look for a new place to eat. I often walk along the streets looking for interesting places to eat. While walking around I was stopped at a crosswalk with some people. All of the sudden a woman started to cross the street. The car in the nearest lane had stopped so I believe she may have thought it was safe to cross. As she quickly strolled across the street she didn't even bother to look. Many of us gasped as we knew she was in danger and I could see a van coming right for her. My reaction surprised me. I was no where close enough to grab her or even yell. But in that split second I knew she was going to get hit. And similar to a few years ago when we saw a car in front of us about to get hit - I closed my eyes. I could not watch. I didn't want that picture stained in my brain. I could hear her get hit and opened my eyes to find her on the ground. She looked in shock. She was nowhere near being fatally injured (thank goodness) but her leg looked as though it could be broken and blood was streaming down her face. She tried to stand and two, brave women ran to her and supported her to the sidewalk where they made her lie down. I was amazed that these women could be so quick to react and help. I didn't. I think I was almost in shock. It was like I wanted to be miles away. The police were instantly there running down the street and called for (I'm assuming) and ambulance. The van had stopped and you could tell they didn't know what to do. These two woman stroked the woman's hair and told her she would be okay. The rest of us barely moved and a few of us turned wondering how to dial 911 in Hong Kong (those of us that were Westerners). I eventually moved on my way having lost my appetite and decided that a small bite at McDonald's would do for lunch.

As I thought about this horrible scene I had (almost) witnessed I could only think to pray for this woman and think of my wife and kids far away. I wondered what would happen if I had been hit. Or if one of my boys had and I was miles away. I couldn't stand to think of the pain they would be in. Both physical and mental. And then I realized that my reaction was due to my aversion to pain. Not that I am afraid of pain myself, but I can't stand seeing people in pain. It almost petrifies me. I remember on my mission as APs we were asked to give shots to the missionaries. I couldn't do it. I always had my comp do it. I didn't mind getting shots and I knew it really didn't hurt much - but I couldn't imagine hurting somebody. On TV when they show reruns of people getting injured - I can't watch. Even though many times I have hurt myself the same way (a bad twisted ankle, etc.) but seeing it happen to someone else is painful to me.

I realized that, though this is probably a little extreme in my case, I think we as humans are also afraid to see people in pain. And not just physical pain. And so in a world where we have all the money and things we need, we continue to avoid pain for those we love. We don't want them to get hurt so we don't allow our kids to do the things we did in fear they might get hurt. We support them financially through college so that they don't have to feel what it is like to be desperate or hungry. We let them get away with behavior that we never would have in fear of hurting their feelings if we punish them. We've become soft. And the reality is that pain can be good for us. We can grow from it. We can provide service opportunities for others. Indeed, this seems the be one area that most men can not comprehend when it comes to God. How often do we hear the question how can God allow so much pain and suffering?

In the grand scheme of things all pain is short. In the case of this woman who got hit, the worst case scenario might be a broken leg and maybe a concussion. And though I certainly don't belittle that, we know that most likely a few weeks from now the incident will be nearly forgotten and life will go on as usual. Even if she had died eventually most people in her life will have moved on. And though there may be a longing for her to be near, they will still experience more joy - and probably even more pain. I guess we shouldn't let the fear of pain paralyze us to the point that we, or those we love, don't progress. There was one Man who took upon himself all of our pains. I think as I grow older - and especially have children - I begin to understand more the love He has for us. How many times have I wished that I had gotten the flu rather than my child? How many times had I wished I had his heart condition and not him? And yet Christ loved us enough to take them upon himself - to really feel how we feel - AND let us feel it. So as truly our brother and friend he can say that it is all for our good - and yet he can empathize with us as he did not let us suffer alone. He has felt all we have felt.

Just so you know

So just wanted to let you all know that mom will most likely keep blogging on my name as she has already done so. So any weird comments that don't sound like me are not me =)

I Am Legend - Alternative Ending

OK, I know I mentioned that I did not like the ending of "I Am Legend." I did not realize that on the DVD there was an alternative ending. Here it is, with some comments from a fan that are pretty good. I admit I like the alternative ending much better. And judging from the comments, the book sounds really cool. I figure it must be a good book as they've tried making this movie several times. Check it out:

http://www.firstshowing.net/2008/03/05/must-watch-i-am-legends-original-ending-this-is-amazing/

Quick Update

I had a doctor's appointment today. My protein levels are zero (yeah!!) but my blood pressure is way up again (142/76). So I'm under doctor's orders to keep resting and keep off my feet - same old, same old. My next appointment is in a week, so we'll see if we have any excitement before then. Jacob takes his last two finals tomorrow, so we're personally okay with Hazel showing up anytime after tomorrow. But apparently, it's not up to me...so unfair. We'll keep you posted if anything exciting happens. :-)

De ja vu

If you want to know how I'm feeling, you pretty much can go back and read my post on March 9. I was in the exact same place I am now (the Singapore Airlines lounge in SFO). In fact, I'm almost in the same seat. I'm listening to some odd movie they have on the plasma TV on ABC Family. I am wondering why in the world am I heading out to Asia again? I am already missing the beauty of my wife's face, the eagerness in Jarek's eyes, the sound of Malik's voice, and the cuddly body of Enok. I head off once again alone in a different part of the world. To be pampered and see exotic places which will be mostly wasted on me as I just wish my family was with me. Let's just hope the time passes quickly.

I haven't had a stretch of life like this before. The past year has been such a surprise. So many things happening - so many options. I am so used to pre-seeing my life and taking the appropriate steps to get there. I had envisioned living abroad, and once that happened last summer it seems like things have been evolving so quickly. Now I sit thinking...wondering...what will life bring at me next. Well over a year ago I envisioned myself taking over the role at Prudential I interviewed for last week. Will that be my next step? Or will the Wall clan travel across another ocean and live in the Old World. Will Enok learn to speak with a British accent? Will the Walls be sprawled around the globe with Kathy in Hawaii, us in Europe, and Tommy somewhere else on the globe? Sometimes it is exciting to think of what may come. Other times it is frustrating. I am grateful that we have the Lord to help direct us and I look forward to what will come. Who knows, maybe we'll end up back in NY. As I interviewed for the job last week I was asked if I would be willing to relocate back to the East Coast.

In the meantime I will hope the next 4 weeks come and go quickly. I feel like a kid the month before Christmas as I count down the days. I wonder how effective I can be in my job role being constantly distracted and looking forward to next month. Thank goodness I was able to cut this assignment down to 3 months instead of 4. Yes, this is just a small piece of our lives that will have me separated. But so much can happen in such a small amount of time. These two weeks brought wonderful memories - like hearing Enok say "I love you dada" or seeing Jarek so excited to go to scouts. Even going to see "Joseph and the technicolor coat" with my wife was wonderful. Life is so precious. And for a few weeks I put it on hold and wait to get back into it.

Visit to Cleveland

I am extremely grateful for the opportunity I had to visit my family. I need to see how she is really doing, and I can only do that by being there for more than a quick visit. I felt honored to serve her, after all she has done for me. Life gets harder for her and Milan all the time. She can hardly shop alone, especially to try on shoes, pants, etc. They both barely cook, and are tired just after a shower. I accomplished much, and saw everyone I wanted. I got to go the cemetery with Mike, which was great. It was a sweet visit, yet, it tries one's patience, as older people are very very very set in their ways. I hope I am not like this too much when I am old. Carol had to return to the hospital because her scar became infected and they had to do more surgery. She was in the hospital when I left. For the first time ever, I thought the thought that she could die before dad. That had never entered my mind. I had lots of good thoughts, and new stories from mom, some of which I recorded. I had a nice lunch with Frank, cleaned, shopped, cooked, watched a lot of Matlock and old movies, and played Shang Hi, (I won!) She is very much excited and looking forward to seeing everyone in August. Don't forget, Rachel has invited anyone who wants to join them in an indoor bike place on that Saturday.

Movies and Books

Okay, I know you all liked Twilite, which I agree was fun to read, and I would categorize it as eye candy. I am now reading March, by Graldine Brooks. Excellent!!!!! A must read for those who liked Little Women, and also books about slavery and prejudice, (Kathy). The author writes the story about Mr. March, the girls' father, when he is away at war. Now this has romance, but depth, character detail, sadness, and a little too much blood for Kathy, probably to read. It grabs you from the first moment you start it, and it paints the picture so vividly, it takes you away and you feel like you are there smelling the smells and listening, seeing, and feeling. I love her use of vocab, and had to look up many words. I have 2 more chapters, but I am savoring them, one a night. I just love to read it, and when I find a book like this, I only read a bit a day to treasure it.
I took my mom to see 21, the movie about black jack. it was rated C in her newspaper, but she was determined to see it. she had read it was a true story about these college guys who were caught in Vegas counting cards. I haven't heard that or read that, but she wanted to see it, so we went, as she never gets to go to movies unless I am in town. we liked it. I can't say we loved it, but it is good enough to rent or netflix. It does have a few strip club scenes that are terrible, and maybe should have made this movie an R. I think dad will like it, because of how they did it. I didn't understand the principle, but I think any of you smart math guys would. I guess there may be better ways to here this story about how to count cards in Vegas, but, hey, they paid my way and we got out of the house!

Scary, I know...

So, my mom expressed an interest in seeing a profile shot to get an idea of just how large I am, now at 36 weeks and an undisclosed weight. So since I'm sharing with her, I thought I'd share with all of you too! Here's a shot of my Hazel-caused belly, in all its glory. Enjoy!

Also, here's the update on my health situation: we're heading to the doctor in about an hour for my scheduled appointment. I'm now on maternity leave, which means that I lay on the couch about 8 hours a day instead of work. Oh joy. My blood pressure feels like it's getting higher (my feet are getting more swollen at any rate) but I'll leave that up to the professionals to determine in a little while. We'll keep you posted on what the doctor says and what's going on out here!

Allergic to USA - I Am Legend

So since I have been back in the States I have been miserable with allergies. Everyone is here in Phoenix, but I find it funny that I have not been sick once in Hong Kong and I have twice here in the States. What's up with the germs here? It has been nice being back. The weather is great. The family is loving.

Last night we watched "I Am Legend." I had heard various reviews about this movie - from people who hated it to people who loved it. I liked it. But I do think the movie had some flaws. I would say the first half was some of the best acting and filmwork in recent history. Will Smith was amazing at depicting a person suffering loneliness and terror and conviction. The second half seemed almost like a different film. And one thing that really annoyed me was that the "dark seekers" looked totally fake. Could they not have made them a little more "real?" Or was it just me? Every time they were on the screen it looked so animated and fake. I also thought they didn't focus enough on the "God spoke to me" theme. Why not end the film with some ambiguity (e.g. Children of Men) where the viewer is forced to decide whether God really did speak to her or not. I'd like to read the book as I wonder if it has more detail and a different ending. I know several films are based on this book so it must be pretty good.

Carol Pylick, and Cleveland

Just 2 days after my dad was allowed to start driving, Carol started not feeling well. She went 2 days, until the pain was unbearable, and dad drove her to the hospital. she had immediate surgery, and her appendix, (is that spelled right?) was removed. It had started to burst, and was perforated, so she got some poison in her system. Also, they had to make the incision larger than usual, because they started with a 2" one, but her appendix was growing up instead of down, so they kept enlarging the incision, which is now 6" long. She is resting in the same hospital my dad has spent so much time in this year. They are having a tough year. They are keeping her longer than usual, worried about infection. she is on iv antibiotics. I will likely go visit her at the hospital tomorrow. My mom should not like that....
I leave tomorrow, the 9th, early, and arrive at noon. I will be staying at my mom's, so call my cell or her phone if you need me. 440-845-1349
I am taking her shoe shopping, to see Johny's grave, teaching her some new easy meals, washing her windows, and taking her to her church. I am grateful that I don't have to work full time, so I can spend this time with her.
My brother Frank is taking us to lunch on Thursday, and Mike and I are driving to the Calvary cemetery on Saturday where I hope to get some new info on the old pylick line and see their headstones. I am hoping to get lucky, and find their father buried there. I am driven to go, and have been for 2 years, so I hope it is a spiritual direction to go there. I didn't go last year because my mom says it is a 'bad' neighborhood, and I will need a guy to protect me. :)
Call and bother dad on Sunday so he isn't too lonely.
t

My Physical Problems

So here's the deal with me: at my latest OB appointment yesterday, the doctor diagnosed me with mild preclampsia (aka pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH), aka toxemia). I'd like to tell you all that it's not a big deal, but then Jacob would get on my case for lying. It's isn't a HUGE, HUGE deal, but it is a pretty big deal. Basically, my body isn't able to keep up with the extra stress of being preganant and some of my organs (specifically my liver, from what I understand) aren't completely doing their jobs because they aren't getting enough bloodflow. So for now, the doctor has me on a very strict schedule of rest, but at least it isn't complete bedrest. I have to lay down on my left side for 1 hour in the morning, 2 hours in the afternoon, and a total of 10 hours at night, including sleeping time, obviously. The rest is supposed to increase my circulation and give my liver a chance to catch up on cleaning up my blood instead of leaving nasty stuff in it like it is right now.

My employer has been very nice and flexible about all of this and is letting me work half-days at the office and then some extra hours at home so that I can get finished up the things I need to do before I go on maternity leave and also so I have something to do so I don't go nuts with waiting for something to happen. Jacob has been very good about taking care of me, making meals, making sure I'm resting as much as I should, etc. So despite the condition and what it's doing to me, I've been very blessed with everyone around me being so understanding and helpful. And the best news is that this really isn't affecting the baby very much. She's going to be just fine, though she may make her appearance earlier than anticipated. Which, as long as she's healthy, is ok with me. :-) So I'm just spending a lot of time laying down getting sick of stupid TV shows.

So that's the latest. Overall, things are pretty good. We're about ready for Hazel to get here, and it's looking like that's a good thing, considering how soon she might be here! I have a doctor's appointment next Wednesday and we'll know more what to expect after that. We'll keep you posted.

Family worries

"There are times when you are fearful, when the stress and busyness of
life seem to overwhelm you, when you feel adrift from the Spirit. Perhaps
you even feel as though you have been abandoned. When I encounter those
feelings, the best antidote is my memory of the moments when Christ's
peace has come to strengthen me. . . . I invite you to remember with me
what it is to feel the Lord's love in your life and to feel encircled
in His arms."

Topics: peace, Jesus Christ, love

(Kathleen H. Hughes, "Remembering the Lord's Love," Ensign, Nov. 2006, 111)

This is a great way to relieve stress. My worries as a mother are heavy today.
My oldest son is far away from his family.  My next son is looking for his first
big job, trying to pass classes, and his wife is now in trouble physically.  My
beautiful daughter has a love far away in Iraq, and my youngest son is preparing
for a mission, which can be a very tempting time.  Cari is probably scared and
worried.  Tevia is doing the work of 2 parents.  Satan can surely see opportunities
here.
What can I do as a mother? Besides pray, which I do daily, twice, I will also put
Cari and Jacob's name in the temple on Friday.  I put Jimmy's in last month, and Kathy's.
I put Tevia and Bret's the month they were making their decision.
What else?  I encourage you all to be especially diligent at reading your Book of Mormon.
Listen to sweet songs of the Spirit, and watch as much of conference as you can.
Let us be extra careful, and keep temptations far away.
Let us be extra prayerful and thoughtful.
Oh how I wish I could put my arms around each of you right now and say, everything will
be all right. 
As the little blue bird mother protects her nest from even people as large as me, I wish
I could protect all of you. 
But I can't, but the Gospel can.  Stay close to the Lord.
I am here for you all.

A cloudy Sunday

The weekend before I go back to Phoenix to spend time with the family is filled more with excitement and anticipation than anything else. This weekend, in an attempt to keep myself occupied, I watched a couple of movies, read, went to church. At church I was asked at the end of sacrament meeting to come up and bare my testimony. I found it strange to think that the week prior my wonderful wife had spoken on Easter Sunday about the atonement of Christ and I was not there to hear her testimony. And here, half way around the world, she was unable to hear my simple testimony of Christ. Though I did not need this experience to be away from my family to gain a testimony of the importance of family, it certainly has etched even deeper into my soul the importance of the family. Nothing can make up for those moments. No money, no prestige. No career is so important. I heard a great quote from Elder Oaks today in priesthood where he said so many people focus on prosperity, prominence, property and prestige - but there is no evidence that any of these things have any importance in the next life.

I watched a movie yesterday that I had never seen before - mostly because it is rated R but I'm sure it has been on TV. It was Good Will Hunting. I know this movie won many awards, but watching it I thought it had such a great theme. It was written by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, which I find ironic since I don't believe they truly live their lives by the theme of the movie. But maybe they do. The movie came down to the fact that the most important things come from those we love. When we truly open ourselves up and give ourselves to others. When we stop thinking of ourselves. That is when we become happy. And millions of people saw this movie - and I'm sure it won awards because that resonates in people's hearts and minds. But so few truly act upon it.

The other movie I watched was an old chinese movie called Jasmine Women and starred Zhang Zhiyi. One of the characters lived her whole life living and thinking about one moment of her life. Once that moment passed she never was happy again. She always thought about what could have been. Once again, I think so many people fall into this trap. We are always living in the past - or the future - and fail to live now. We must open our eyes and our senses and live today. It seems so easy.

I was invited to lunch by a family in the branch here - the Sanders. What a simple gesture can bring happiness to someone. It was great to have an American meal with homemade chocolate chip cookies and talk about the interesting things they've had to deal with since being here in Hong Kong. I will most likely never really see these people again - though maybe in church a few times when I am back next month. But that didn't stop them from offering me a small place in their home - and a little bit of love. I hope that I can take my experiences in Hong Kong and expand my love to more around me when I return to the USA. I am not a mean person - I don't think anybody would ever say that about me. But am I a kind person?

the cliffs, the rescue, the injury, the giant sand dune

Desert Trip 2008
Here are some pictures for the blog record.

Shanghai Trip Pics - Using Jumpcut

Easter eggs

Here are the eggs we colored this year. It was fun. I love seeing what the kids come up with. We made deviled eggs with them and Malik and I were the only ones that ate them. Jarek is so picky these days. He cried for about half an hour because I told him he had to eat a tiny portion of ham. He is so emotional about everything. It is hard to reason with him, but we finally came to a compromise. He decided he hated the ham less than the potatoes. So instead of having to eat his potatoes he ate the ham. The crazy thing was, he was crying and complaining about it for a half an hour, but when I told him if he ate the ham he wouldn't have to eat his potatoes, it only took him like 30 seconds to gag it down. Oh well.

Happy Easter (late) to everyone.

Pics of Suzhou

Suzhou, China March 2008