Reflections on Retirement

Retirment continues... The staples of my day are piano, a causal bike ride, and gardening. These can easily last an hour a day. Then, I round out other activies like Odd Fellows, Mahjong, Quacera, Kings Games, Soccer, Social Coffee or Lunches. In the past, vacations and weekend journeys (often soccer) were a relaxing change of pace from work. Now, I'm not sure what to make of them, as every day is relaxing. Home projects (windows, doors, shutters, sunroom) continue, but are almost done. The next step for me may be hosting: Family Game Nights, Poker, Dong side, Neighbors Coffee.

More Iceland Photos

Iceland is diverse: waterfalls, glaciers, black sand beaches, giant surf, volcanoes, geysers, lava fields, and hot springs.

Iceland and random ideas...

Our first few days in Iceland has been memorable. The capital city of Reykjavík is beautiful and quaint. At the center of the city is a church tower will bells and views. A main tourist street is rainbow colors with many places to dine and shop. The harbor has beautiful views of the mountains and sea. Iceland geography and history is unique. Its cold here, which makes this trips all the more rememberable. Two unrelated insights: Enjoyment is a state of mind and Don't Let the Perfect Delay the Good. I'm glad Pearl and I joined this Coast Guard tour. While it's easy to complain about the cold and overcast skies, this is a good vacation, filled with memberable events and life experiences. It's been great to meet new folks and share Coast Guard connections.

Iceland

We made it to Iceland. Its cold and windy. We walked around the hotel. The city is quaint.

American Mahjong

I took a class today on how to play American Mahjong. It was fun, but also mentally challenging. There is a group that plays weekly at the Senior Center. I thought the American version would be easier than the Chinese one, but that is not the case. I could imagine playing regularly. Mahjong is a good social game, but also good mental exercise.

Caleb and Rachel are engaged!

Caleb proposed to Rachel this weekend. She said yes. On Sunday evening, we had a game night at Caleb's house with cousins and friends to celebrate; then visited grandparents on Monday, President's Day holiday. Coincidentially, Eli came home and caught a ride with his friend. It was a full weekend. It was nice to have him home to join the celebration. I am happy for Caleb and Rachel. But a strange question lingers as I process these momentous changes... am I gaining a daughter or losing a son? I know it's not one our the other. Caleb is his own man now and needs to focus on his soon to be wife and family.

Birthday, Rebekah Installation, and Playing Piano at the Chocolate Festival

My 60th birthday.... I had a good time celebrating with friends and family. I also had the opportunity to play piano for nearly 3 hours at the Chocolate Festival. It was a challenge. I haven't been as motivated to learn new songs recently. Perhaps, my focus instead has been on learning to perform better. Playing at my retirement party, in front of all of my friends, was a major step in my musical journey. Similarly, playing at the Chocolate Festival, a new challenge. Retirement is going fine, yet it still is an adjustment. We also had our Odd Fellows and Rebekah Installations. We also celebrated Chinese New Year, closing year on Louie side, and new year with my siblings.

Retirement Party

My retirement party has come and gone. It's still a blur. Now comes the new part.... retirement. I am keeping a similar sleep schedule, early to bed and early to rise. I'm working on several house projects: sunroom, replace window, replace garage side door, roomba vacuum, clean rooms, etc. Bike rides, soccer, visiting UCD, volunteer piano, Odd Fellows....

Retirement -- Only a Few Days Away

I have worked in this small LOB office since March 2003, over 21 years. My career has provided structure, meaning, and identity. It will feel strange to retire. I honestly don't know what will unfold during this next chapter of life, but I look forward to creating space to see what comes next.

Reunion Reflections

My 35th CGA reunion was filled with immense emotions of joy, wonder, and nostalgia.  As I saw cadets walk about campus, I could vividly recall, if only for a fleeting moment, those deep feelings of life at the Academy, a young adult struggling to find a path and make sense of the world. I ridiculously imagined that I might encounter a younger version of myself. If I only knew then, what I know now. My younger self buried his emotions; while today I embrace them, both the good and the bad, because they are equally an essential part of who I am.

A reunion is not only a time to relive old memories, but also a chance to build new connections. 

My greatest treasure attending the reunion is a deep sense of unconditional acceptance. There are no squabbles, career jealousy, or division – we are classmates.  We started together, we endured. Some climbed the ranks, others exited quickly, but the adversity bonded us together.

Each day I feel moments of tears and angst, but also of inspiration and awe.  At the reunion, these feelings were multiplied 100 fold. I must have given 500 hugs and silently shed a hundred tears.

Old photos on Eagle brought joy, playing spoons in the 1/c workroom. From then.... to now, sailing aboard Matt and Tori's BANTER.

Reunion

I'm waiting at the airport for my flight to the East Coast. Perhaps 40 classmates are coming. Charlie created a group photo album. Dozens of photos over decades. Those who stayed in and were stationed at large ports, there are countless gatherings and celebrations. The reunion schedule is full. I'll visit John Wolf on Thursday, followed by the athletics awards dinner. Sailing with Matt on Friday, then a cocktail party. Saturday is a fun run, tailgate party, walk on, football game, and dinner. Sunday is bagels, then a flight home. 

The academy was a special time, a unique experience. Retirement is a special time too, an opportunity to evaluate next steps and new adventures. 

As I reflect on my life decisions, I sometimes ponder if I knew then, what I know now, what would I have done differently. The emotional walls of my youth served as protection, whereas now I embrace both my tears and sense of awe. My passionate belief in love in my youth, whereas now a more tempered approach in building commitment and connection. And, the over arching view to save for the future when I was young; now a shift toward abundance, thanks to NVDA.

I drove Elias back to UCB, then walked around campus and pretended to be 40 years younger, lol! We had lunch together, then I explored the city, before heading back home. A good day...

Retirement and Succession Plans

I announced my retirement. Pearl and I attended a meeting at CalPERS and I submitted my paperwork. Wajohn is back in CA and we are preparing sucession plans. Like college, retirement is a new beginning. With all the recent drama, I am ready. I look forward to family, travel, piano, Odd Fellows, biking, soccer, pickleball, quacera, game nights, Kings games, local music, breakfast meetings, coffee dates, Opera house, responsible beverage server, sound board operator and more.

Elias Moves to Berkeley

We moved Elias to Berkeley. On move in day, the line to the elevator was crazy. Elias is ready. I am glad he is nearby and I look forward to visiting the vibrant campus.

We traveled to Mexico to visit the ancient ruins on a Caravan Tour. I'm glad everyone was available. We started in Mexico City, then drove East toward Cancun. The ancient ruins were amazing. I always ponder what caused these civilizations to collapse. My memories are taco stands, ruins, wrestling, hotel buffets, chicken soup, heat, rain, long bus rides, and quaint cities.

Piano and Soccer

I am grateful for piano and soccer.  I can easily spend a hour everyday playing the piano. Often, I bike ride to the local public pianos in town. On other occasions I play at the Odd Fellows Lodge and volunteer at local retirement homes. During COVID I learned on YouTube. Now, I subscribe to a couple of websites that teach piano songs.  Similarly, pick up soccer is a blast. It's great to play with FC Chill and the Purple AYSO adult league. I'm glad to share this time with Caleb and Philip. Both exercise and music is a true miracle drug for better sleep and mental health.  

Elias is going to Berkeley

Last week, we toured the campus.  Today was Cal Day.  Berkeley is filled with wonder. Eli is excited.  The College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineer, seems like a rigorous curriculum, with small college community (only a thousand students), inside a much larger prestigious university -- a good fit for Eli.  He saw many friends from Davis High, who are also going to UCB, some from his soccer team, and some even in his same major.  Yesterday, the Davis Enterprise published an article about his leadership on the DHS tennis team.  I am excited to see him challenge himself and grow.