bird is the word

she was a fast driver (like me) efficiently and quickly getting me to church, tennis, singing, piano, ballet, jazz, tap, flute, cello, brownies, kumon, school, pool……. and the irvine spectrum.. everywhere she was an incredible cook (malaysian spicy crab, satay and other yummy goodness) it was the highlight of my birthdays she was selfless and giving wise and smart loving and patient (sometimes not so patient if was being a royal pain in the ass) caring and kind also, a sensitive soul she was an enforcer piano practicing enforcer the kumon and nonoopi doing enforcer the singing practice enforcer the decent grades enforcer at the time, the enforcing was a bit much in hindsight, i wouldn't be where i am without said enforcing  and you know how you knew she cared?  "did you take your vitamins?" "did you drink enough water today" "eat more vegetables" "did you eat dinner yet?" etc etc etc  i'm sure our family could gi...

i am allergic to goodbyes. ok. i have a strong aversion to them. the last real goodbye i said was to my mother. i wish i remembered the last two conversations i had with her a little better. what i DO remember..what i DIDN't black out... was that i told her i'd take care of my dad. that i'd be ok. that it was ok for her to go. that i have nick, that i have my friends, my brothers and my dad to help me keep my chin up. i THINK i thanked her. told her i loved her. gave her specific examples and memories.... i wish i remembered.... i've never been so thankful to even have the opportunity say goodbye. she was out cold that morning. in fact, the moment i stepped into the hospital room, her breaths were so labored, so slow, i didn't see one at first. oh my god, she's dead. she died. she stopped breathing. longest second of my life. then she breathed. my dad walked in the room, i acted as if that moment and those thoughts had not just happened. after ...

I wanted to share this with the world. My eugoogooly (thank you Zoolander for that!) for my mom, Jade Yong, who passed away on November 23rd, 2012. Whether you knew my mom or not, you know know she was an amazing selfless, loving mom. She was diagnosed with Stage 2 Pancreatic Cancer ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pancreatic_cancer )  in July 2008, had the Whipple Procedure done ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pancreaticoduodenectomy ) in August 2008, started chemotherapy and chemo radiation treatment in September 2008. In Spring 2009, we found out a few tumors grew in her liver, then started up chemo again (pills and IV - side effects were mild). The doctors gave her 3-6 months. Fast forward to 2012.. almost four and a half years later. She's still fighting, still being brave, still enjoying life. Her liver began to shut down earlier this year. Just before Thanksgiving, her kidneys started to go. She was admitted into the hospital the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. My dad and I had ...