Tsai Family of the Parklands

Jonathan and Joshua returned to Maryland for the baby blessing of Sara Sofia on September 2.  The day before we took Jonathan out to watched “Crazy Rich Asians” at the Rio at 11am.  After the movie, we enjoyed a delicious lunch at Guapo’s for lunch.  For his birthday, they sang Happy Birthday to Jonathan, allowed him to wear a sombrero, and gave him a free sundae.  Happy birthday, Jonathan!

On a lazy Monday in August, I took leave from work and stayed home to be with my grandson, Blake.  He wanted to wear Megan's white construction helmet, so I decided to give him a personal tour.  We walked around the construction of the I-270 bridge overpass and saw the cranes and machinery.  It was cool to see the construction site with Blake today.  Hope you can come back and see it when it is done, Blake.  Go, Blake the Builder.

When Jessica and Blake were with us this summer, they wanted to tour the DC Mall.  So, with my Mom, we drove into DC on a Saturday morning.  First, we walked near the Washington Monument and took lots of photos.  Then we waled to the Museum of Natural History.  We took Blake through the Ocean and mammals and gems exhibits before we found out that the dinosaur exhibit was closed.  They had moved it to a smaller exhibit on the second floor.  We took Blake to the smaller exhibit before leaving the museum.  Next, we ate outside under the shade the umbrella chairs.  My mom treated Megan and Blake to a round of the merry-go-round.  Then we went inside the Air and Space Museum.  We went through the rocket.  That's all we had time for that day.  But it was fun to go into DC for a day.

Sara Sofia was born on July 31, 2018.  On this night, I had the opportunity to bring dinner Melinda and Javi at Shady Grove Hospital.  On the way to the hospital, I was listening to General Conference music. All of a sudden, I received an epiphany of sorts. I felt an overwhelming peace exude through my whole body, from head to toe. I received the reassurance that Heavenly Father was real. He lives. The birth of this special girl, like other births, was very sacred. Her birth has helped me re-orient my life, has re-energized my testimony, and has kindled my desire to seek my Heavenly Father. She has been born in a very special time of the earth history. She is a Saturday’s warrior. She has been born in the dispensation of the fulness of times and in the age of advanced technology. This time is the battle between good and evil. She has to be strong. I know that God has sent Sara Sofia to the earth at this time to help build his kingdom. Her parents need to teach her well and...

Megan performed in a harp recital.

On this Thursday evening (June 14), we all went to the First Presbyterian Church of Annandale to attend the Mormon Choir Summer Pop Concert.  Javi played the guitar tonight in the mariachi band.  The band played songs for songs from Coco ("Remember Me" and "Un Poco Loco"), "Solamente Una Vez," and "Cielito Lindo."  Li-Fang and I did not sing tonight because we were in Taiwan.

On my first trip back to Taiwan, I was not able to resolve many matters relating to my father's death in one week.  So Li-Fang and I took a trip back to Taiwan at the end of May. The weather was so humid and hot, that it was very difficult to sleep at night. Although the fan was constantly on, it was hard to sleep comfortably. We met many of her old friends, and we met many new ones.  It was an extremely busy 2 weeks, filled with satisfaction of accomplishing many things and with fun in meeting so many relatives and friends, old and new. With the help of several people (Bishop Yeh, Daishu Guo, Sister Lin, Sister Huang), we were able to resolve matters concerning my father's life insurance, insurance payments, Jiading house, bank accounts, and cell phone account. But most of all, I could never have completed so many things without Li-Fang.  She was an extraordinary translator, communicator, detective, and one full of energy and persistence and devotion.  With ...

Li-Fang held a recital for her piano students in a nursing home.

Today Megan received an award at the ceremony in Thomas Edison High School.  This was Megan's first year in the special Architectural studies program at Thomas Edison High School.  The Awards Ceremony actually took place at the next door Wheaton High School Auditorium. The award ceremony didn’t start until almost noon, about 30 minutes late. A group of five students emceed the ceremony. Megan received the Above and Beyond Award for the architecture and engineering section. It was fun to see Megan receive this award.  I was able to meet Mr. Pham, Megan's teacher.  Congratulations, Megan, on receiving this prestigious award!

What's better and more fun than one BYU graduate?  Two BYU graduates from the same family  graduating in the same graduation ceremony.  With much anticipated excitement, our whole family congregated in Provo, UT, for the commencement and convocation for Joshua and Melinda.  Both were diligent engineering graduates. Joshua received his bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, while Melinda's bachelor's degree was in Chemical Engineering. Arising very early in the morning, we flew on Frontier Airlines into Salt Lake City on Thursday afternoon just in time to rent a car and arrive at the Hinckley Center to watch the commencement on a TV screen, broadcast from the Marriott Center.  We met Jessica and Blake there.  Mike Leavitt and Elder Holland spoke.  After we finished watching the Commencement Exercises, we waited for Melinda and Joshua to come for photos.  When they came, we took Melinda out to the back by the gazebo, where Javi was lying in ...

On March 29, shortly after midnight, I received a phone call (actually it was from Facebook Messenger) that changed my life forever.  Bishop Yeh of the Tainan 3rd Ward called to inform me that my father was involved in a car accident while riding his bicycle to a church activity.  My father immediately lapsed into a coma and his situation was getting worse. He did not have much time. His respiratory system, kidneys, and liver we’re all going downhill and did not function. So I flew to Taiwan immediately the next morning, not knowing beforehand what would happen.  I felt like I was spelunking into complete darkness.  However, in very dark times of our lives, God prepares His light with his selected angels to guide us through tough times.  Thus, my exciting adventure begins. After enduring the 12 hour flight to Taiwan and landing in Taoyuan on Friday evening, I felt relieved to have entered what I thought would have been the longest and most boring part of the t...

Li-Fang volunteered to organize the first ever Chinese New Year party in our Parklands community on February 17.  Our son, Jonathan, had even arrived at 9am, driving from CT at 3am.  I picked up the lion heads and drum from the Kentlands Chapel with Nian Changle.  They started practicing at 11am in the clubhouse.  I helped with the registration line.  Melinda and Javi started to help at the registration line.  Then Javi went to do the lion dance.  Megan and Jonathan helped with crafts.  I also baked 2 pizzas at home and brought them over to the clubhouse kitchen.  I helped Li-Fang clean up until 3:30pm. Perhaps over 100 people attended that afternoon.  What a fun tradition for our neighborhood.