miami revisited ...

Chris' point of view:

I had an interesting thought this morning on true love and universality. The thought was a result of a seemingly insignificant event that occurred while Natalie and I were in Miami this past January: We had returned to Natalie's mom's house for the evening following a long day of shopping and sun. While dinner was being made, Natalie and I took the opportunity to relax and watch a movie. The movie was Forbidden Kingdom, a kung fu action film staring Jet Li and Jackie Chan. I had watched and moderately enjoyed the English version just days early, and was now watching the film in Cantonese with English subtitles. In thinking about the event, it is interesting because while the audio had changed, the subject matter, the feeling, the music, had all remained the same.

Over the past year, Natalie and I have had wonderful opportunities to travel. Most recently, during our trip to Miami, we were able to spend time with her Mom and brother, enjoying food, warm weather, and most importantly, company. We were even privileged enough to join her family on a 3 day cruise to the Bahamas.

Throughout the trip, I was over stimulated with my incredible surroundings. We had great Spanish food, we enjoyed delicious sushi, and we had amazing steaks prepared by Natalie's wonderful cook of a mother. We watched movies, we watched the New Year roll in, and sadly, we watched another great trip end, a return home.

Our surroundings change from trip to trip; even the language audio track is different depending on where we are. Nevertheless, the subject matter, the feeling, and the music that is our lives together, is always the same. It has been so much fun to have Natalie in my life. Our love is universal, timeless, and will be no matter the change in our surroundings.

nat's point of view :

sry, have been busy w/ wedding planning and all sorts of errands collided one after another.

our trip to visit mom before the new year was significance, not only we were going back the 2nd time, but for mom to know chris a little better, after chris has proposed.

i very much dislike the flights in b/w, either i cannot get enough sleep or my neck dread the painful plane seat. i'm only a little better if i travel w/ chris, as i can use his shoulder for support.

not sure if you guys have already notice, but our height's difference is sometimes an attention grabber. chris is 6 foot 3, and i'm 5 foot 3; he's exactly a foot taller. when i called my brother after i've landed in ft. lauderdale, there's no way that i can find him w/ the amount of ppl traffic in the airport. luckily he mentioned, "chris has already arrived, i'm w/ him". mathematically, i adjusted my search to my personal landmark. =D

this trip was more about relaxing and catching up w/ past holiday and planning for the up coming year. w/o a doubt, we always have delicious food involve ... dim sum, banana rolls, spanish food, hot pot, all you can eat, mom's special steak etc.

there are only 5 more months until our wedding, and chris is making a trip next month to organise the venue and invitation. when it comes to planning and organising, i get OCD on EVERYTHING little things. i'm so graceful that chris has not called off the wedding due to the amount of my unreasonable rant daily. ... ha ha.

talkin' to the songbird yesterday
flew me to a place not far away
he's a little pilot in my mind
singin' songs of love to pass the time

he's not anyone
he's not anyone
he's not anyone

a man can never dream these kind of things
especially when he came and spread his wings
whisper in my ear the things i'd like
then he flew away into the night
gonna write a song so he can see
give him all the love he gives to me
talk of better days that have yet to come
never felt this love from anyone

day in White ...

Chris' Point of View:

People are always looking for perfect days. And as is the case, these individuals have grown accustomed to the average or pretty good variety having given up on looking for the $100 bill lying on the penny ridden streets. To my own amazement, I had one of these events, and rather than post about Natalie's entire Salt Lake trip (which was fantastic), I thought I would chronicle this one, perfect, day.

I woke up early that Saturday and knelt before God. Its something that I don't do often enough, but I thought it important considering the culmination of miracles that was before me. It was an event that I never thought would arrive, it was an event that stood at lofty and seemingly unobtainable heights, and epically joined the ranks of the greatest happenings in recent memory. This event of course was Natalie's baptism.

I never had the opportunity to baptize someone. I know the reason was that I couldn't baptize just anyone, but that it had to be someone special. Luckily, Natalie had been prepared for the exclusive opportunity eons ago. =)

I remember as the moment arrived and Natalie grasped my arm, that I was looking at my future staring back at me. -As Natalie looked at me with trusting eyes, I knew that this was much more than a baptism, but the beginning of an eternal commitment. Standing there drenched in water, Natalie had never looked more beautiful. For me, her soaked hair and shivering body represented the first step in our never ending life together, and it was breathtaking.

Following the baptism, we relaxed and spent time with my family; my hand firmly clutching Natalie's. That night we went to a restaurant in downtown Salt Lake. The interior was perfectly ambient as I looked across the table at my beautiful bride to be.

That night I went to sleep with a smile on my face. I had stumbled across a day so rare, that it would be one that I would not soon forget.

nat's point of view :

to lead a better life i need my love to be here ...

here, making each day of the year
changing my life with a wave of his hand
nobody can deny that there's something there

there, running my hands through his hair
both of us thinking how good it can be
someone is speaking but he doesn't know she's there

i want him everywhere and if he's beside me
i know i need never care
but to love him is to need him everywhere
knowing that love is to share

each one believing that love never dies
watching his eyes and hoping i'm always there

to be there and everywhere
here, there and everywhere

the bearers of all good things arrived, my meaningful wk in slc was very gratifying!

it is always rewarding to see chris' face after some flight mileage, notwithstanding the dreading layover somewhere and you can't really do/go anywhere. =P ... if i've granted a super power, i'd love the freedom to be able to fly or teleport; by all means just give me a flying broomstick, as i absolutely HATE being away from chris, either or of that wonderful gifts would be a delight. =)

now, where should i begin? as the 6 days were sardine-packed w/ both excitement and some disappointment. the night of my arrival, we went out to dinner w/ the nortons, at a very trend vegan restaurant. it's always nice to catch up w/ friends that haven't been in touch or moved to another location, of course the bundle of joy that newly added to their family was greatly the night's topic.

so, what happen when you put nat, an outlet mall, chris and some marvellous sunshine together? =) chris took me to the park city outlet mall, it was a beautiful day, we went from store to store for a good 3 hours. honestly, shopping is a sport! walking, browsing, thinking and lifting, you can ask chris about that. =D
in that evening, we had a double date w/ emily & jon at this indian restaurant. yes food, the other 'hobby' that chris and i share. we're adventurous that way, love to try new restaurants and diners.

FREAKY FRIDAY. the much-anticipated event - halloween. chris and i have been brainstorming what should we dress up as for a good 2 wks, since the wk i come falls on the last day of october. =) ... ultimately we had agreed to dress as up : chungli and ryu from street fighters. i was super excited when we put in our orders for the costumes online; how under the circumstances only chris's costume arrived on time and mine didn't. so, on halloween w/o a costume i was a bit upset, but there's nothing we could do. carry on to our plans, chris took me to a local play, w/ the event of the day in mind - scary poppins! it was a fun filled family play where the nanny was not as 'enchanting' as mary poppins. =)

finally, saturday arrived. i've asked myself a few times, if i'm ready for this big step in my life, of course being engaged is another huge stepping stone; hence, being baptise is not just something you just do. in my family, religious belief plays a certain part; however i never really understand why we do this or do that. it didn't have much of a meaning to me as i followed. ... fairly, after i met chris and listen to his belief of how important the church and the gospels are to him, i saw that confidence in faith and in truth he understands. it pushes me toward how i want to pursue this happiness, this joy, this contentment.
indeed Father watches over all of his child, one after another situation i was being put to think this is not a coincident: entered into chris' life and learned about the gospels, reunited w/ a long lost childhood friend - whom was my missionary, discovered another childhood friend was a member after all these years. ... blimey, the final part of this experience is not only something suitable but also valuable. a missionary from vancouver honoured my interview. =) to make perfect circle, christopher my one and only, is performing the baptism for me. words cannot explain my gratitude of how flawless how i am back to Father's arms by the person that i want to spend eternality w/.

after a superb dinner, the courses we had were amazing and my felicitous company made me believe that i'm the luckiest girl in the world. it is just not any other day. =)





- i can't wait until i'm old & wrinkley w/ laugh lines ... then everyone will know how happy you made me.

battles and reunions ...

Chris' point of view:

A couple weeks ago, I stumbled upon a song by the newly reformed Shiny Toy Guns. Some of the lyrics in the song have struck a chord with the situation Natalie and I are in. As well, these lyrics have been particularly meaningful to me in the last few days:

I can't sleep
I've lost the urge to sing..
Ten thousand miles apart
A frozen ocean joins our hearts
I can't wait to meet you when
The frozen waves meet ocean floors
You'll be standing on the shore
I can't wait to meet you then

Today I have thought about relationships in times of war. Young soldiers would leave their courageous women behind with a promise of return. Through their trials, the soldiers would hold tightly to the letters they would receive; simple yet restorative script written on golden paper. When the war was over, they would board ships set for home. There, standing on the shore would be their women waiting eagerly for their proven heroes.

I thought about these scenarios in relation to Natalie and I. While I am not fighting a war of freedom, or defense, or belief, I battle the pains of being away from her, the loneliness of not having her by my side and hearing her laugh. When the war is over, 'as the waves meet the ocean floors, you'll be standing on the shore. I can't wait to meet you then.'

it's so close but we're so far away ...

Chris' point of view:

Today is my birthday. - I am 26 years old. I have thought a lot this morning about where I have come from, where I am going, and the things in life that mean the most to me.
Life is, in a way, like stargazing: Some nights, its difficult to see the sparkling lights amidst the vast and consuming darkness. - Other nights, the stars have washed across the void; blankets of illumination. The fact of the matter is, while the stars are always there, while good things always happen in our lives, while there are always people that love us, it can be difficult to notice because of the distracting world around us.

I am a lucky one; there are 6 stars in my life that never dim, and always shine brightly through the pollution of the city: my Mom, my Dad, my sisters Kelsey, Alyssa, and Laura, and the love of my life - Natalie. I am so fortunate for these people.

Natalie has been on my mind often this week. She is such a wonderful support, such an amazing strength. I hear her laugh, I picture her smile, and it appears as though she is right above my head. However, despite how close her sparkling smile seems, we are still so far apart. I am so excited for her to come this month. It will be great to spend time with her while she is here; its one of the things I look forward to most in life.

My future is bright. I have had trials in life, some of them more difficult than others, but luckily I had the patience to wait long enough to spot the brightest star in my sky. (Honey, having you in my life is the best birthday present I could ever hope to have ... I love you.)

the Flowers of Summer ...

Chris' Point of View:

I think the most difficult part about the distance between Natalie and I is not being able to see her everyday to behold our relationship blossoming. The easiest part is that flowers can grow unwatched, and lilied fields have grown all around us.

In August I made the much needed trip to Vancouver. A combination of stressful work conditions and a cloudy mind had blocked out my Chinese-Canadian sunshine.

As soon as I landed, Natalie's laundry list of activities began and we were off down the road. This trip was packed with all sorts of interesting events, notably: Surfing, a trip to an Art Exhibit, a Shakespearian play, and as always, lots of delicious food.

Natalie is really amazing. The way she plans a trip is something to behold. Not a minute unaccounted for, not a event repeated, she has carefully calculated some of the greatest trips I have ever been on.

At the close of the trip I felt refreshed. Spending time with Natalie is one of my greatest rewards in life. I absolutely love her. As I left, Natalie, my beautiful flower was still on my mind. Its a strange feeling to be deeply rooted in the relationship and yet still be knocked off my feet every time I see her smile.

This bud of love, by summer’s ripening breath,
Will prove a beauteous flower when next we meet.

- Romeo and Juliet

nat's point of view :


tainted love. *ohohohoh*

♫ once i ran to you. now i run from you.

... haha j/k. =)

the long waited trip for august, has came and passed.
i have planned so many things to do for the both of us in that wk, i didn't think it was a long enough stay for chris; he always say it is too short, even though it was 7 full days.

chris and i went to the beautiful ucluelet and tofino in victoria, it's about a few hours away from vancouver. better yet, to check out the beach where chris and i are getting married next year, and some major surfing action!

after the crasy city traffic, the ferry ride, AND mountains driving/singing session, we were finally there!
after, we went to rent out our surfboards and wetsuits, the much-anticipated drove to long beach in tofino, for some surfing goodness.

we tanned and relaxed on the beach, a lovely sunny day w/ warming breeze and the pacific water was not cold at all, perfect for us newbies for some waves. i have surfed before, and it was great to swim out and flow; i gave chris some tips on how to manage your board and to maintain your body when you're riding the waves. it's a no brainer, chris has no trouble getting the point and hitting the waves like no others. ... an exquisite experience!

after we have gotten clean and sand out of our pants, we drove down to the wickaninnish inn, to visit the site and hotel where we're getting married in may. the beach is amazing, the restaurant is marvellous. we both loved the place, the water, the view; it is completely suited for our purpose to be united and start our life together. =D

later that night, i took chris to a grand seafood dinner. we ordered the seafood platter and some pasta. it was sooo tasty, especially after our 4 hrs of surfing, i forgot to take pictures for documentation. =( as i was drooling over my own plate. ucluelet is a very spiritual town in the summer, so many activities you can do, the locals are pleasantly friendly, it is a highly recommended town to visit.


that night we returned to vancouver, i planned to go see a play by the beach - twelfth night by william shakespeare. it was a great comedy, i loved the old english and adored the live acting. chris showed such enjoyment of the play because the staging was set in the 1920's. oh the fashion!

another surprise i have lined up was to visit chris's most affectionate hobby - anime, comics and video games art; the KRAZY exhibition has set up in the city's art gallery. we made our way to the showing w/ great excitement. chris was like the kid that wants to ride all the rides in the amusement park.

fishy?! not quite, up next was the aquarium! we went to the aquarium for more aqua darlingness. i was able to capture some jellyfishes, but i have forgotten to charge my camera and it was ... not cooperating. booo. not allot of pictures in the fish tanks, but it was another amazing day because we have got to see the belugas and sea otters.

no matter how much time we spent together joined by the hip while we're visiting, it's always not long enough. missing chris is the hardest thing i personally encountered. the feeling of emptiness and blue, sounds of laughter shades of life are ringing through my open ears, exciting and inviting me. ...

words are flying out like
endless rain into a paper cup
they slither while they pass
they slip away
pools of sorrow waves of joy
are drifting thorough my open mind
possessing and caressing me

and we all flow on okay.