Water trick

After graduating from Gallaudet in 1994, I went back to my hometown and lived with my mother again while searching for a job. Two months later, I returned to D.C. for a week to visit Gallaudet in order to use their career center (That time, the web sites did not yet exist).

While in D.C., I stayed with my friend, Cindy, at her mother's place. There was another friend from Gallaudet, Brian, who also stayed with us for few days. We, along with other friends who lived nearby, frequently went out daily and "painted the town red".

(Don't you miss the good ol' days? :))

While I used the big sofa in the living room for the night, Brian slept on the floor and Cindy shared the bed with her youngest sister.

Every night, we would come home real late and I would immediately crash on the sofa, completely exhausted but happy to shut my eyes, without a worry in sight about having to wake up early to either go to a class or work.

One early morning, as usual, I slept in late.

Then I started dreaming something about being in a fire. Over and over, I tried telling the firemen to hose down the fire with water but of to no avail. I shook my head, still asleep at this point, worrying about getting out of the fire.

Of all sudden, I felt something splashing on my face.

By reflex, I immediately panicked and held up my arms to protect myself from the sudden onslaught of water but got drenched...

When the water finally stopped coming at me, I opened my eyes.

Confused and dazed, I looked around and saw Brian grinning wickedly and holding...

A water gun.

Doggie beau

My dog, Coral, is now 10 years old, even though she still looks and acts like a bouncy 4-year old. She is very sweet and loving dog that one could tell immediately upon meeting her. She wouldn't even harm a flea! My father who is not too fond of dogs, reluctantly admitted he liked her. On our walks, people including children would usually immediately come over to pat her, rarely asking me for permission.

When she was a puppy, in order to ask me for something, she probably initially made some noises but upon seeing no response from me since I could not hear, she eventually learned to use her body language. For instance, if she wanted something, she would use her right paw to nudge my shoulder or gently lay her paw on my arm as a signal.

That time, when she was about 6 years old, I moved to a new apartment in a different state. One month later, I decided to invite four friends, who were couples, over for dinner.

After enjoying dinner, my friends and I chatted amicably. Although they were not dog-lovers, they accepted Coral sitting among them, though I kept a watchful eye on her.

One guy named Apu was sitting at the edge of the sofa when Coral suddenly came over and sat next to him. After a moment, she then pawed him gently, perhaps to indicate wanting some pats or a belly rub.

Apu looked at her and replied, "Sorry, I already have a girlfriend".