remembering baby ryen

April 13, 2007-May 14, 2008

Let me tell you about baby Ryen Alexander Garcia. He was an adorable baby who only lived for a year, a month, and a day. His deep dark brown eyes and his giggly smile will melt your heart forever.

I remember the day I first met him. He was a premature baby so he was only five pounds when I first saw him. During my winter break from college, I finally held him for the first time and I couldn’t believe how much he grew. Unlike his older brother and sister (they both were "serious" babies), he was a very CHEERFUL baby who always laugh easily.  It is hard to explain, indeed, he was a very special baby. His personality was very LOUD and CHARMING. My aunt who was Ryen’s grandmother lived behind my family’s apartment so I always find a time to visit them so I could hold baby Ryen. I love to make some funny sounds to make him laugh. After my winter break was over, I headed back to college. Little I knew that I would never see him alive again.

I will never forget the day my family came to Washington DC for my graduation from Gallaudet University with a bachelor degree. That day, I found that baby Ryen was GONE forever. I couldn’t believe it. I was angry with God for taking him away from our family too early. His funeral was heartbreaking. It was another reminder for me that life is too short. Looking at his lifeless body, again, I couldn’t believe how much he grew. He got bigger, his sweet and soft skin color got darker, and his fine dark hair got longer. I was very sad that I couldn’t see his giggly smile for one more time. 

Today, it is hard to believe he would have been almost six years old. We cannot grieve over his death forever. We must remember the good time we had with him. Ryen, I hope you are enjoying your time in beautiful heaven.  Although, you were only my second cousin, you had no idea how much you impacted me. I hope to see you someday again. I love you, sweet handsome baby Ryen. 

the five love languages

Have you read The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman? I haven’t finish reading this book yet. So far, I think it is a good book. Please understand it is NOT all about romantic or it is for couples only. The five love languages are also relevant to platonic relationships such as family, friends, or coworkers. Please remember this.

The five love languages are: words of affirmation, quality time, receiving gifts, acts of service, and physical touch. Quality time is what matters me the most. I enjoy my time with my friends, family, and coworkers when it comes to traveling, go out for dinner, going to different places, and even spending our time at my home.

Last September, I was under stressed that I really want to be with my friends for the day. A friend of mine decided to drop the plan with me and other friend. My quality time with them blew out. I learned my lesson that I need to stop have a high expectation from my friends when it come to quality time. Last Christmas, I enjoyed being with my friend. It was nice because I wasn’t alone. Funny, he felt bad that we didn’t do much that day. As for me, I don’t care… as long I am having a quality time with someone on Christmas day. That’s what matters me the most. Distractions, postponed activities, or the failure to listen can be hurtful for me.

Let me share one of my favorite quotes from book: “Your emotional love language and the language of your spouse may be as different as Chinese form English. No matter how hard you try to express love in English, if your suppose understand only Chinese, you will never understand how to love each other.”

What’s your love language? You can take a quiz online to find out! The website have the five languages of apology and the five languages of appreciation, too. Very interesting? :-)

http://www.5lovelanguages.com/

coach bill snape

I have many fond memories with Coach Bill. So many great memories that I could easily write a book!  

    
It was fall of 2004, I was a freshman, and I remember the first swimming team meeting very clearly; new Head Coach Bill Snape was very nervous and awkward that day. He asked one of the hearing swimmer's to interpret for him. I remember thinking to myself  “Oh crap, this new coach knows no American Sign Language (ASL)”. I was disappointed with Gallaudet University because they hired someone that didn't know sign language!!! At the same time I was nervous as well to begin season. After the meeting, I remember I told him that I am not good enough to be on team since I only had few years of swimming experience. He convinced me to be on swimming team. I am so glad that I took his advice. The daily practices were always fun because of him and I remember how I always looked forward to going to practice everyday. That following summer after the first season, Bill took ASL classes. I was and still am very impressed with him because he picked up ASL very quickly. He worked so hard to improve the communication between himself and the team and I was so impressed by that. He cared about each one of us like we were his own children. He always would  make sure I had a smile on my face. Later during my college years, I even became his personal assistant- I  helped him recruit new swimmers to be part of our team, haha.    

    
I will never forget the day he came up to me and told me that I will be doing 200 yards butterfly event for CAC Championship. He smiled at me while I was so ready to break down! It was a great opportunity for me do this event even though long-distance events were never my strong point.

Bill, thank you for being such a WONDERFUL and AMAZING coach. You are like a father to me. Looking back, now I can say that Gallaudet University made a best decision in hiring you. I had an opportunity to be part of USA Deaf Swimming in 2007 because of you, Coach Bill. Also, it was a pleasure to work with him as one of assistant coaches for a short time during graduate school.  I am proud to say he helped swimmers break many old records.

Also… I would like to thank his family for allowing him to spend hours and hours with the Gallaudet University swimming team. His family knows that being with the team made Bill happy.

Most importantly, THANK YOU for BELIEVING in ME. I couldn’t ask for a better coach!

my long hair

Many people won't believe me that I used to have a really really really long hair! Here's two old pictures of me with my long hair. These pictures- taken in May 2004 :-)