Good in people

We are bombarded with bad news. We have been reminded time and again not to trust strangers. When I jog and say ‘hi’ to a little kid along the way with a smile they turn their head away, I suppose obeying their parents’ instruction not to talk to a stranger as if I could be a potential predator. The innocence, the trust have been lost over the years because of a few bad apples. However, goodness of heart is still alive and well. I believe the world will continue to be a better place because of such good people.

Yesterday early morning we had a call from a stranger from Bronx, NY long way from Houston. “We have your daughter’s cell phone” – the girl at the other end said. “She left it in my dad’s taxi cab. What’s your daughter’s name?” She sounded like our daughter’s age or perhaps younger. I had left a message for our daughter the night before. Perhaps she heard that message and knew about father’s concern in general. I talked to the father of that girl later who was about to leave for work to make a living. I contacted our daughter’s boy friend. The phone was retrieved, rather delivered by the unknown cab driver as he was in Queens and close to our daughter’s place at the time.

It certainly is a beautiful world. Watch your step, but don’t pay too much attention to those much publicized doom and gloom.

Brief Update

Oh my, how time flies! Received a wedding invitation from Kelley Hyatt. I remember when Hyatts came to our younger daughter’s 1^st birthday party holding newborn Kelley in their arms. And our younger daughter’s class friend Stephanie is having a baby.

Older daughter stopped by to visit us last weekend on her way to San Antonio on business. The younger one got accepted in two med schools and is frantically trying to complete those financial aid forms (FAFSA, College Board, Need Access). These require parents’ financial information (I am not sure why since our daughters are not considered dependent on our income tax return). So, I too hurriedly completed my 2008 tax return. It appears that we owe some more money to Uncle Sam. We work three months of the year to pay for income tax.

Yesterday I participated in the Houston Rodeo 10K run. My time – 55 min 45 sec. Not bad for an old timer. Last night I also made airline reservation from Santiago, Chile to Buenos Aires, Argentina. My wife and I are going to be on vacation from March 21 through March 30, visiting Santiago, Chile (including 1-night, 2-day trip to Buenos Aires – I love that place). Many trips coming up after that – Austin & New York in April, San Francisco and possibly Chicago in May, Washington, D.C in July for our annual convention. We are doing our part to stimulate the economy. I wish it would turn around quick. My retirement funds are shrinking fast.