05/04: High School Buddies

In early May of '04, I had a chance to meet with some of my old friends before I left for Asia. These were friends that I had spent my high school years with at Cornerstone Evangelical Baptist Church. It has been a long time since and everyone had gone their separate ways. Yet, when we got together, it was as if we didn't miss a beat. We laughed about old times and discussed serious issues. It was apparent that we had all grown up. Some were as liberal as others were conservative. I was always a bit of a moderate liberal myself.

Starting from the far left, working his way up the system, Wilbur Wu had become second in line for the position of Dean of Students, City College of San Francisco. Next to Wilbur back row are Wayne Leung and Jimmy Chin. They are the epitome of those described in the book, "The Millionaire Next Door," those who do not appear to be rich but know how to save and invest. Next to Wilbur front row is Michael Louie, the group's kid brother, always cheerful with something funny to say and to the right of him is Steven Tong, the conservative of the group. In the picture to the right back row are Dave Chu, one who always loved softball but was hindered by a bad back. Dave, once tested missiles at Pt. McGoo for the military. Recently he went back to school, graduated and is now working as a nurse. Martin Chin was the best overall athlete of the group. He was a great quarterback, center fielder and a smooth basketball player. Only hindered by his height, he became a computer networking expert. On the other side of me is Lionel Chew, graduated from a Theological Seminary. I last heard he was working as a pastor. Jimmy and Johnny Chan (twins) soon thereafter received the best gifts of all, their wives both gave births to baby girls. Congrats to the new fathers. I thank them all for spending my last days in the states with me. We had a great time catching up. When they say, there's no place like home .. it's friends and love ones that make that place .. home.