The First Week of June

Usually, when the month of June comes around, the first thing that comes to my mind is that I will soon be growing one year older. I also have friends that have birthdays in the same month. That's usually what I think of first, always. Later on, I think about what else it is about June that I can remember, and I can think of two major historical events: D-Day, the invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944, and Tiananmen Square on June 4, 1989.

Why I remember D-Day should be obvious. I love military history. World War 2 is undeniably a very important event in our history. If D-Day did not succeed, the war would have gone on longer, and we may not have been able to achieve the victory we needed to stop the Holocaust. Or even if the Russians did, it would have meant the entire European mainland could have ended up in communist hands. Who knows what might have been. Most people would focus on the European theatre since the Nazi's were the 'evil' people. But for me, the Pacific was more close to home since that has more to do with me being Chinese. Just that I haven't really read or seen much about the things that happened in China. Not many documentaries on that over here. Still, D-Day was important for Europe. For the Pacific, it would actually be a third event that also happened roughly the first week of June in 1942... when the US won the Battle of Midway. That changed the tide of the Pacific war. I think we owe our lives to that battle.

Tiananmen Square... oh... how I remember... I was actually in HK during that time in May when the protests just started. I had no idea what exactly was going on but in a way I knew that this was something big. I think I saw a lot of hope from the ppl in HK that this could be the watershed event that could bring China out from communist control or something. Something hopeful... something powerful... something great. I flew back to Canada on June 4. When I arrived home, it was all over the news. The army had gone in. I was pretty shocked. Even at my age, I knew what that meant. I thought China was doomed. Communism would never go away in that country. The people there would never be free. It was a pretty sad night.

Of course, looking at how things are now... well, it's debatable if it's better or worse. Personally, I think it's 50/50. Sure, China is a big market. Capitalism is all good and dandy there now. But of course, at what cost... There's still a lot to go for China. While we western countries are not exactly perfect either, but I do hope that China will one day come close to our level of justice and fairness that we take for granted here.

The first week of June was full of events.

Direction to Intercept

"Unit One, we might have something for you."

"Go ahead."


"Single bandit. Approximately Three Zero miles out your 8 o'clock low."

"Looks good. I'm going for it."


"Good hunting Unit One."

"Roger that."

May 30, 1973

Today would have been Leslie's 34th birthday.

Yesterday, I went to Pacific Mall to buy a chestnut cake for today. Chestnut has always been her favourite. Not sure if we went to the right place but the cake is good.

This morning, we 3 siblings and dad met up at the cemetary at 10am. The monument is finally up. It was put up just this past weekend. Interesting that the timing worked out. They sent a picture of it to my mom and Vincent in HK so they saw how it looked. It's a pretty good monument. We are very pleased.

Having the monument suddenly makes this even more real to me... Before it was just a barren plot. But now, seeing the monument with the name... it just hits even deeper. I'll never forget that first visit to the morgue though... that image will never leave me.

It's definitely a bittersweet day. Happy 34th Leslie...

The Flightline Beckons...

No matter how much rest one might need, eventually one will be recalled back to service.


But usually, it is because one cannot ignore the call of duty. One will go back willingly on their own sooner or later.

Each pilot has gone through their moments of glorious triumph, and humiliating defeat...

None of that matters...

One flies because they love to fly.


Let's go

Fateful Friday

Well, yesterday was rather interesting to say the least...

Another nice lax day at work... then went to meet up with Mark and Priscilla for dinner. I haven't seen these two in months. Priscilla has been pregnant with twins and well... I think you can see where this is going... So the bunch of us meet up at Mark's for dinner that we've had scheduled since April cuz Anthony came back from San Fran for the week. Mark promised to cook, but nupe... didnt' happen (as Michelle predicted). We decide to go out to a vietnamese place nearby.

We walk out and probably was just 5 min out when Priscilla said her water broke. I didn't hear it, but we all just stopped in our tracks. Mark decided to head back and call the hospital to see what they should do. Surprisingly, Mark and Priscilla were very calm about it on the way back while Emily got a bit freaked out. For me, the feeling probably didn't sink in at that time. So Mark and Priscilla headed for the hospital while the rest of us ended up going to eat.

The call came about an hour later. Mark says it's happening tonight. So yeah... my friend now has kids. Wow...

Find out this morning that things are fine. Both babies have been born. Healthy weight. Both parents are very happy. But Priscilla has to rest so we'll have to wait a few days before we can see them. Hopefully tomorrow or Monday since Anthony will be flying back Monday afternoon.

Another chapter in our lives. What else will the future bring?
Well, one more marriage coming up at least, that's for sure.

... but all I want to know is what is in store for me?