Hey Doc

Its only one week away from the Chinese New Years, the year of the rooster. All the stores are gearing up for the final rush. To some of them, this can be a make or break for a profitable year.
I did not realized how tough my mother is. I bet for most of the cancer patients would be dreaded to go to a chemo treatment, she plans her like we plan our vacations. She will pick out the best dates that fits into her schedule, always have her suitcase ready and stocked with the stuff she needs. She loves give advises and encouragement to those first timer whom sharing the hospital room with her. "Face the challenge and you will win".
I've spent some times with her in the hospital lately. I also met the other cancer patients there. One lady is in advanced stage of a colon cancer which also spread to her uterus. She told us that she is not afraid of dying but wish it will be less painful at the end. She is only 39. A cute 14 year old girl getting her chemo for bone cancer. They did not discover the disease until one day the bone of her arm broke.
The recent weather has been unpredictable. It is warm one day and cold the next. I am fighting a little bit of cold myself. Nothing major, just a running noise.

What a beautiful Sunday today is. The sun peeked through the gray sky this morning. Everything started to dry up. My laundry has been on the rack for the pass 3 days finally feel dry enough to be put away. It would be crazy to stay home again, so I have decided to go out for a nice walk, get some fresh air at the same time. A cool 50 degrees temperature was just perfect for this mild exercise. My knee is still swollen a bit so I reluctantly to go for my badly needed running.
There is a weekend flower market near the apartment which I have visited frequently in the past. Today I went to get some ideas and inspirations for my next photo project. I have seen many fine art floral photos on the web and in the galleries that made me wanted to try. So we will see.
I saw the news about banning taking photos in subway in NYC. Lets be real, you think this will stop the terrorist from gather information ? The government is taking away our freedom a bit at a time under the name of "Patriotism".

It has been over 2 weeks that we have not seen the sun. Overcasted sky, on and off rain make you just want to stay in bed. Of course, a hot cup of jo would be even better. Because of the rain, I did not have the chance to go out for my photo quest of an award winning picture. Besides, my right knee has swollen up a bit. Not sure what the cause was, but it does not prevent me from walking or any movements. I made an appointment for a doctor's visit in 2 weeks.
This is amazing, at least I think. It happened on the bus this morning, a lady got on the bus and sat down next to me after the bus had made a few stops. This was rather longish ride for me to the final stop. Anyway, she felt asleep not long after she sat down. As the bus continue weaving through the heavy morning traffic, the final stop is few blocks away. I started to wonder if this lady had over sleep and missed her stop because she looked dressed like an office worker and the bus has traveled into more like a residential area. All of a sudden, she woke up, got off at the next stop like nothing happened.
I guess if you ride the same bus to work or something day after day, you became programmed to autopilot. I remember there were few times when I got to the office, I could not remember what I have seen on the way over. I knew I left the house, got in the car, and the next thing was, I am in front of the office. Freakiest thing I have ever experienced.
There are amazingly amount of bridges and overpasses in the city. Someone may think they looked ugly but I found them rather interesting. I started a photo collection of those concrete giants, Check it out.

Remember old Che ? I came across this cigar store on my walk one day. He is best known sadly as a pop icon on T-shirts, hats and posters. Of course, the facade of this cigar store. This popular image on the steel gate was the creation of Andy Warhol in the 60s. Recently, Hollywood made a movie about this Argentinean medical student traveled across South America in order to do their internship at a leper colony. The journey had opened his eyes to the exploitation of poor villagers in South America, awakening of his social conscience. Eventually leading this student to become a Marxist guerrilla leader fighting against imperialism.

At first, there is Krispy Kreme donuts. Now in Taiwan, we have Mister Donut. Just like K.K. donut, crowds swarmed the stores like bees. Lines going around and around the street corners. Well, look at K.K. now, not even 2 years. The crowd is gone. Taiwan is like that. The originator starts a craz, making a killing of it. Then others followed in. Pretty soon there are so many of them, people lost interest. Business dies.
Speaking of food. I am dying for a medium size, thick crust, all meats pizza. I have not tried the Dominos here yet (beggar can't be choosy) and I don't know of a good pizza joint to get my fix. I have a feeling that the taste just won't be the same.