Catherine's Piano Recital

Catherine performed in her second piano recital on December 20. She performed the piece Largo from Dvorak's New World Symphony. She played along with other students of her piano teacher and one other at a local music store. She's only been learning the Piano for just a little over one year. As a completely unbiased observer with some training in music, I have to say she was the best of the bunch!

Enjoy the video!

Happy to be Alive

I had a little scare on my way to teach my final class last Tuesday. I was in the left lane going the speed limit. Two cars behind me whipped around me, not cutting me off, but squeezing in at high speed in the narrow space between me and the other cars in the other lane. No sooner did the second car scoot in front me, that the car in front of him veered off to the left, and the one of front of me veered off to the right, revealing a large trash bag blocking the middle of the lane. I hit the breaks and swerved around the bag, but overcorrected as I began skidding. I ended up flipping around in the opposite direction, facing head-on with a large pick up truck coming straight at me. I honestly thought that was it. Fortunately, the truck driver veered to my left and only ended up sideswiping me, putting in a small dent and tearing up my rear bumper. We both ended up on the side of the freeway, grateful to be alive. The damage to his truck was minimal. After exchanging information, he left. Unfortunately for me, it's really hard to make a U-turn on a freeway in the middle of rush hour. Finally, the traffic on the freeway backed up (first time I've been grateful for that), and some kind motorists allowed the idiot facing backwards on the shoulder to make his U-Turn.

I made it to my class, only five minutes late, and was really happy to be there and be alive. It could have been so much worse. I have no doubt the Lord preserved my life that day.

I found out the next day that the Texas Department of Transportation, fearing frozen road conditions, had applied a de-icing agent earlier Tuesday morning. No ice or rain ever came, and the de-icer is believed to have made the roads dangerously slick. Over 400 accidents had been reported by the afternoon (including 1 fatality)-- five times more than usual. My accident was around 4:30, but I'm suspicious that this contributed to the accident. 

Catherine's Baptism

Catherine was baptized on November 29, 2008. We were thrilled that Grandpa and Grandma Wright were able to be here for the baptism. We were also honored to have so many friends come to the baptism. 

Catherine was very happy at her baptism. It was a joy to see the expression on her face as she emerged from the water. We feel blessed to have such a wonderful daughter.

Thanksgiving 2008

This Thanksgiving, we had a lot to be Thankful for. My parents came to join us all the way from Utah.  Joining us for the wonderful meal were some former colleagues and students of my parents in China, who are now here studying in Texas. Mao May, He Yan, and Li Tong are in an MBA program at the University of Houston, Victoria. Hong Mei is a student in our PhD program at UTSA. Also joining us were our friend Francesca and her daughter Soriya. Cathy and Josh, and their new adorable baby daughter Soriya stopped by earlier.

Phal made an amazing meal with the help of my Mom and Hong Mei. Tong entertained us with his guitar and gave Catherine and Michael a guitar lesson. Everyone enjoyed looking over our photos from China and Cambodia. 

The day after stuffing ourselves, we participated in the ancient American tradition of waking up early to hit the after thanksgiving sales. Tong and I came home with new MacBook computers from the Apple store. May and Yan came back with a bag of new clothes.

Family, friends, delicious food, and shopping. Thanksgiving doesn't get any better than this!

Asian American Youth Workshop in San Antonio

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Originally uploaded by Wayne E. Wright

I had the unique priviledge of working with Dr. Li Jia and leaders from local Asian American organizations here in San Antonio to help them organize the Asian American Youth Cultural Heritage and Leadership Development Workshop, which my Department and College at the University of Texas, San Antonio was able to co-sponsor and host on November 15, 2008. As part of the workshop I was able to teach the participants--mainly local high school students--a little about Cambodia. I was impressed with how engaged they were throughout the event. I hope this is something we can continue to offer each year. In a city where Asian Americans make up less than 1% of the population, its rewarding to be able to provide this type of opportunity.

Catherine Turns 8

Catherine is now 8 years old! She really wanted a birthday party, so we invited several of her classmates and friends from Church. She was thriled to get cool gifts like Pokemon cards, a Pokeball, an enlarged Barbie Doll head so you brush and braid her hair (sorry Jeffrey!), and other cool stuff.

From Mom and Dad she got Wii Music, Alvin and the Chipmunks CD, and something she really wanted -- a scooter so she can keep up with Michael on his on their way to school each morning. She also got a generous gift certificate from Grandma and Grandpa Wright she is anxious to spend (Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!).

As I told Catherine the morning of her birthday, I've never had an 8 year old daughter before, and I'm looking forward to it!

Cheap parents skimp on kids' Halloween Costumes

Halloween was low key this year. Jeffrey decided he was too old now for trick-or-treating, so he took charge of passing out the candy to all the trick-or-treaters who came to our house--including several of his classmates who apparently were not too old to trick-or-treat. Catherine decided to create her own costume -- an Alien Newspaper Delivery Girl. Michael wanted to be Indiana Jones, but this cowboy outfit was close enough.