This One is For You Mom

Mom and Jon
Originally uploaded by Jon Lo.

In a recent conversation my mother informed me that she was an avid reader of my blog. She asked me why I had not updated it in awhile and told me that she was a big fan of my writing. This is a huge compliment for me, since my mother is a prolific writer in her own right. She writes beautifully and I hope she will be able to devote some time to writing upon her forthcoming retirement. This entry is dedicated to my mother, who has labored and toiled for many years for her loved ones.

These are my favorite memories since coming to Edinburgh in 2006.

1. My first day in Edinburgh. I was mesmerized by the city. I just walked up and down the Royal Mile with a silly grin on my face.

2. There was this one time I went up Arthur's Seat when it was still dark so that I could watch the sun rise. It was a transcendental experience for me. I felt like a connection with the divine.

3. In my first ice hockey game with the Edinburgh Phoenix, I scored a hat trick, was named 'the man of the match', and won a case of beer. Oh yeah, and we won the game.

4. Skype chat with Joseph and Jane. They lip-synched to Point of Grace's 'You Will Never Walk Alone'. The song (and their performance) brought tears to my eyes.

5. Meeting my Mom and Dad at Costa's Coffee at the airport. They endured the treacherous transatlantic flight and braved the cold north winds to visit a city that got dark at four pm in the afternoon so their son would not feel alone during his first Christmas in the UK.

6. My dad was in London for a work conference and I took the megabus down to spend a Sunday afternoon with him. We walked around London together and even attended an evensong service at Westminster Abbey. He treated me to a giant steak dinner at Leicester Square and gave me a large wad of money. This also brought tears to my eyes. You don't know how much you miss someone until the moment when they are about to leave, and you realize how different life will be when they're gone.

7. There was an evening I mustered up all my courage to tell a girl whom I absolutely adored I wanted to pursue something more than a friendship with her. She told me she felt the same way.

8. Finishing a 10km run. I got a personal best, but the most rewarding experience was seeing my friends at the finish line, who helped me train and cheered me on during the entire race.

9. Getting a First on the Masters thesis. I was quite nervous about getting my results back.

10. It was Chinese New Years eve and a beautiful afternoon in Edinburgh. I went to visit the Castle with my good friend Katie. We ended up spending the rest of the day together, too.

11. I went hill walking with Katie, Susan, and John. We hiked to the top of two mountains on the same day. The Scots call it 'Munro Bagging'. We must have hiked for over seven hours. It was so beautiful. On the way home we stopped by a tavern and enjoyed a delicious supper.

12. Jane came to visit me during her reading break. She spent her own money to come visit me. We hung out all week and did all kinds of fun stuff. Jane and I went to a bar called Sandy Bell's where live folk music was being played by (get this) a HARMONICA choir.

13. The first time I went to Eikon.

14. My first show with Goodbye Lenin.

15. Going to see TMNT the movie with Adam, Will and Graham. We dressed up as ninja turtles, and even watched the original movie to prepare for the movie.

16. Going down to London with Goodbye Lenin. We played a terrible show and a pretty good show. We also managed to squeeze nine people in a one bedroom flat. (thanks, Kerry!)

17. Being a part of Joseph and Sharon's wedding. I have never been happier to be someone's bestman.

To be continued...