Father’s Day is approaching this weekend and so I felt particularly compelled to spew some new thoughts. As I reflect on fatherhood, I can’t help but remember the father who taught me so much. Raising a toddler, I seem to have learned that there is one word that can turn a perfectly wonderful day into a …
Recently, I was leaving the Queen Ka’ahumanu Shopping Center with my son on my shoulders, when a young man walking shouted “Hey Uncle Dean! Howz it?” he said with a big smile. I had to really look at him to think how I knew this young boy. He then went on to explain, “Do you remember …
Gung Hey Fat Choy (Happy Chinese New Year)! This was actually the most celebrated of holidays in my household growing up. Each year, my father would plan feasts for the restaurant I grew up in. Anyone who came to dine at Wong’s restaurant in Chinatown got the privilege of the abundance of holiday foods …
I have a tendency to take things seriously. I am not sure when this changed in me. When I was a young boy in school, I was a nerdy scholar. I had to be, otherwise my father would have had his great Chinese meltdowns on my ass. But to cover up how stressed I was …
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons I’ve been slightly taken a back by all the buzz that the Ebola epidemic has created lately, and while I certainly don’t take it lightly and appreciate all precautions taken, I do find it intriguing. When I was very young, growing up, my father would always take every opportunity to …
There is a lot of emphasis on learning through play here at Imua Family Services. I am a believer. But what about children and work? I use to always say that my father invented “Chinese Child Labor.” He put me to work the moment I could do anything. When I started to walk he made …
Photo credit Wikimedia Commons It was the day of Joan River’s funeral; I laid on the couch thinking about her and then Robin Williams. Both I’ve met only briefly at different intervals of my own life. I was wondering how Joan’s daughter Melissa was doing then I found myself reflecting on the passing of …
This blog is dedicated to my favorite blue genie, Patch Adams, Hook and Mrs. Doubtfire, The Great Robin Williams. The first book someone gave me at our baby shower was a book that believed in no screen time for toddlers. This included TV, laptops, iPad etc. The book made a very good (in my opinion) …
My son will turn three years old in the next month and we (yes, we) are preparing to start preschool. Much of this last year has been filled with visiting preschools, debating pros and cons and looking into what programs were available to us. Throughout the summer we have been mentally preparing Valentino for this …
This week my family will pitch a tent, blow up the air mattress, lather on the mosquito repellent and sunscreen for Camp Imua 2014! This is where we will spend Father’s Day this year. Camp Imua is a week-long overnight recreational camp for more than 50 children with Special Needs. It’s a 37 year old …