November 20, 2007
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Family
Over the summer, my cousin's son came to visit my family. He's 1/4 Chinese and speaks French with more than enough English to get by. His dad and my dad have been good friends for decades. He's only 17, skinny, with a charming French accent that soon charmed every girl he met. He stayed with my brother for about a month and demolished my brother's food and liquor budget. I volunteered to take him around for a day. I wasn't quite sure what to do with him and was worried that we wouldn't have anything to chat about. My brother joked that I should just take him to a bar.
But as soon as he hopped into my car, he commented that this was the first manual transmission he's seen in Canada. Ahh... my type of a guy. I took him to a Buddhist temple and we wandered around the library inside, enjoyed a brief walk through a small display of sculptures, the store, watched some Tai Chi and a table tennis tournament. He's never been to a temple before so this was a very new experience for him.
I then drove him to a Chinese mall which floored him. He was fascinated by the different stores, the CD and DVD places, the food stores - his eyes went wide when he saw how expensive abalone was. He managed to pick up a knockoff Diesel bag ("They don't charge you tax if you pay cash?") and got some tea for his mom. I wanted to see if he would try some herbal tea. He gamely sipped a cup of 5 flower tea but after a few sips declared that it wasn't his taste. So we walked over to another tea shop and I got him one of those flowering jasmine tea which "blossoms" in the tea pot. He enjoyed that one and we chatted for about an hour or so about his goals, his family, his interests in music and design (industrial).
Afterwards I took him to a furniture store where he looked at all the different designs. He joked that he would design a piece of furniture for me. I'm hoping he's not joking because he actually has designed a chair already.
It turned out to be a very pleasant day overall even though we drove quite a bit. I was worried that it would become a chore but it turned out to be a fun day instead. The best part is that I got to know him a lot better. I have no idea when he'll return or when I'll visit him. But I'm glad that we were able to create some bonds in my widely scattered extended family.
A couple of fall pics.
Comments (18)
Aw, that's so cute. You're such a great fellow, Matt
So when will you drive me around and show me the knockoff designer merchandise?
Oh, that's nice of you to show him around town...I wish I had the patience of doing so!!
Hmm...about that Five Flower Tea....it's good!! haha~~
sounds like a nice day you had
P.S. I miss red maples
they don't change colors in LA like they do back east
maybe one leaf per tree...
yes i remember you ...silly... the pics are great and i enjoy great photo ops where ever they can be found... yes the pics are me and pei.
i will stop by here again and say hi... been away from xanga for a bit yet with the next 4 days off for holiday i suppose i will stop by and write...
LOVE is... truly it is...
besides i obtained the TVB series ... ' return of the condors ' with andy lau tak wah... so i will be happy watching that and writing...
You took the time to get to know someone and let him be himself. That is great!
Such a nice story. Gosh, reading this entry makes me so happy that you have returned! ^_^
I would love to see a Chinese Mall! I also wonder if you are the same Matt from a while ago who I lost touch with. Anyway, thanks for the comment. I don't like boar's head either! -Ducky
i wanna see what your cousin's friend looks like more x_X
but sounds like he had a lot of fun
lol at Kevin.
Your tour is so much more cultural than what I would have done. My nephew would want to be dragged to play video games and hockey
haha =]
Beowulf was good. Only bad thing was that I watched it after watching 2 movies at my house and it was at 9
I wonder if it would have been as good if it wasn't animated
that look very nice. u got talent in taking picture bro.
RYC: The journal was a suggestion I picked up in one of my psych classes - too many years ago!
hi matt! i was actually thinking about a week or so ago about how you weren't around xanga anymore, so it's a pleasant surprise to see you back again! i'm glad to see that you're still up to your usual antics -- still playing with your nephews (and getting caught sniffing baby soap hahaha), cooking up a storm, and generally reflecting on life.
I love how it's called 'Fall' in the US. Just sounds so much more... solid.
The pleasant afternoons are usually the ones that leap out at you the second you make a little bit of an effort into what usually is considered a chore.
Great entry!
out of towners are so amazed over every little thing! then again, i am too when i'm in a foreign land.
Matt! How wonderful it is to read you again! I absolutely adore the layout and background of you page.....I really enjoyed reading this (my first read of you in a very long time) post! Sounds like your cousin had a great time....I can't wait to read more!! Good to "see" you again... 'Til The Next
hmm... i think you're the matt that i know. give me some clues like umm, mauritius and hongkong. something like that. if you are who i think you are, i'll be very glad that you're back. but in case you're not (coz' it's the first time i saw a "cooking entry") i am happy to have met a new xanga friend.
oohh a chinese mall. i have been to one and most that i saw are rtw. of the cheapest prices. the one that i enjoyed most though would be the food area. haven't tried teas though coz' not my liking.
ryc: why do you doubt i am a jerk though?
or maybe you're the guy who loves to cook(?) - for obvious reasons why i asked this. how about the word "dimsun"? i got it right.. right?
o man, glad that you're back!!!
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