cru-neckk asked: oh you're alive? ahah hi sammy

Mikey Le. You little devil, you! I’m not sure how old this is or when this was sent, but it would be really great to see you and catch up one of these days :]

He made me fried chicken and we spent the night on the rooftop telling stories. He’s a keeper. I’m very thankful. 

// Sunny day, slight breeze//

It’s a John Mayer, accompanied by a soothing cup of coffee, kind of day

// My heart weeps harder with every beat. I will remember our candy sharing forever. May your soul rest in peace. I love you.//

A few days ago, my grandpa contracted pneumonia after visiting a dying friend at the icu. He saw his long time friend connected by these odd contraptions, all body movement controlled and artificially manipulated and it scared him. It was a scene all too familiar. He knew that if he was admitted to the hospital, as grandma had, there could be a chance that he would never leave. For these reasons, he stubbornly refused to leave his house, and they allowed it. Within 2 days, he grew weaker, falling down twice, fainting in the latter incident. Upon waking up, tears began to fall from his eyes, as if he knew. Did he know it was coming? What a haunting feeling… to know that your death is nearing. No one knows the reason for his shedding tears, and knowing his pride and stubbornness, he would never admit it. But that was it right? Hours after being admitted to the hospital, my uncles prepared to leave for a short period to freshen up and he asked, “When can I go home?” They said a few hours, and he gently nodded. Shortly after he lost consciousness and slowly drifted out from this world. 

When I first got word of his passing, I didn’t know how to react. It all happened too fast. Confusion turned into sadness and strangely enough, sadness turned into happiness. Happiness for the fact that he had lived a long life, with his first great grandson born just a little over a year ago. Happiness for the fact that he would now accompany my grandmothers in another place. Happiness for the fact that he no longer had to suffer from the loneliness brought upon by his deafness. Things were rough getting rough when he virtually lost all hearing - the men he played mahjong with would always yell at him because he couldn’t hear “pong!”, meeting with friends became uncomfortable when he had to pretend to understand the things he couldn’t hear. Silent and solitude walks became his comfort when all he could do is watch tv at home. He lived a long and meaningful life, but knowing now of his immense fear and vulnerability within the last few hours deeply tugs at my heart. I wish I could’ve been with him.

one of the last photos I took of him, after he urged me to take a photo of his set meal because he didn’t want to be excluded from my food album. He used carry a bag of candies in his pockets to share. Despite the fact that he is completely toothless, his favorites were hard candies and chewy gummies. Whenever we went grocery shopping together, he would offer to buy everything that I set my eyes on, or touched, even if it was done by accident. We share the appreciation of good foods and buffets. There will never be a man quite like him. 

Anonymous asked: Where is the place to go for a great bowl of ramen?

I wish I could answer this, I’m still on the look out. Guchi’s Midnight Ramen serves some incredible fare but tickets are so hard to come by! :[

// These are the days we’ll never forget //

good food, good friends. Until we are reunited again..