September 1st, 2010
Last night, as V and I flipped the calendar in our kitchen forward to September, I couldn’t help but get excited. The baby watch is officially on!!! V’s overnight bag is packed and I’ll make sure to have my cell phone and camera fully charged from here on out. 
Tomorrow will mark the beginning of V’s 39th week of pregancy. Alan has already been considered full-term since the end of 37 weeks, so he really could come any day now. Though we are hoping he holds on until at least Tuesday, the day after V’s Mom arrives. 
Stay tuned for the next update!
Posted in Alan, My News | No Comments »
August 12th, 2010
Today marks the start of V’s 36th week of pregnancy. Time is continuing to fly by. It’s hard to believe we’re coming down the homestretch of the pregnancy now! Here are some updates since my last post:
-We decided on a middle name/Chinese name for Alan. His full name will be Alan Haisheng Miller. V and her parents brainstormed a list of two-character names, and then I helped choose from that list. It was important to me to include the character “Hai,” since it represents “water” or “overseas” and it’s the same character found in Shanghai. “Sheng,” which means “outstanding,” was chosen because I liked how it sounded in combination with “Hai”–and because I’m sure Alan will be outstanding.
-V took the bar exam in Buffalo at the end of July at 33 weeks pregnant. I made the 3-hour drive northeast along Lake Erie with her to the 2-day exam–making it our first official Miller family trip with Alan included. Everyone at the testing site commended V for her strength and determination to study for and take the exam so late into her pregnancy. I agreed–not many people are tough enough to do what V did. She balanced studying, carrying Alan, working part-time, and running the house. She’s amazing.
-As we were driving back home from Buffalo, V found out that her Mom passed her long-awaited interview and was granted a visa and passport to come to the U.S. V immediately began looking for plane tickets and she got one just in the nick of time. V’s Mom will be flying in on Labor Day, 10 days in advance of V’s due date, and staying with us through February 17th. We’re very excited and relieved that Alan can be with his Wai Po. It will be great for us to have help in taking care of Alan as well.
-Last Saturday was V’s baby shower. My parents held the gathering at their new house on August 7th, 2010–almost exactly one year to the day they held our post-wedding reception party at their old house (August 8th, 2009). We had a wonderful time celebrating with family and friends and received a lot of great gifts for Alan (including the clothes pictured above). I will miss having these annual August celebrations at my parents’ house!
Happy Anniversary V!!
Posted in Alan, My News | 1 Comment »
July 11th, 2010
In my last post about the Cavs, I wrote how LeBron didn’t have enough left in the tank to beat the Celtics. To me it appeared something was definitely wrong with him. And to make matters worse, his lack of focus and itensity carried over to the teammates he was supposed to be leading. For the past two months, as Head Coach Mike Brown was fired and GM Danny Ferry quit, the mystery of what changed this once-dominant team became more and more puzzling. But with LeBron’s self-absorbed ESPN 1-hour special to announce his departure to Miami, it all became clear: LeBron quit in the playoffs after already deciding his Cavaliers tenure was over.
It’s all so obvious now. LeBron had been colluding with Wade and Bosh for months (if not years, dating back to their meetings at the 2008 Olympics) to take less money in order for all three to sign with the Heat in 2010. There’s just no way this was an overnight decision like Lebron wants everyone to believe. Superstars don’t decide overnight they’re each leaving $15-$30 million on the table to get the Heat under the salary cap. And then there’s this: Miami blew up their roster down to only 1 player before the trio’s annoucement this week, and the Heat weren’t even worried they were taking a risk! LeBron didn’t care about beating Boston. In his mind he was already gone.
LeBron is a disgrace, a fraud, and a phony. Not because he left town–any free agent has the right to do that. Rather, it’s because he took fans in Cleveland, New York, New Jersey, Los Angeles, and Chicago, through his free agency spectacle despite knowing all along he was heading to Miami. It’s because he duped ESPN, the worldwide leader of shame, into paying him for his 1-hour scripted announcement. But worst of all, it’s because he quit on his teammates, coaches, and his own hometown in the middle of a playoff run.
Looking forward, Cleveland will be fine. It’s still a great city. And it’s survived much worse. And personally I’m thrilled LeBron is gone before Alan is around to see this. But I do still want my son to know about the story of LeBron. It provides a valuable lesson to kids on the importance of looking towards family and teachers, not spoiled celebrities, to find true role models. And it speaks to the importance of values such as community, loyalty, humility, and honesty. Because when you don’t have these core values, you’re not even welcome in your own hometown. Just ask LeBron.
Posted in Cavaliers | 1 Comment »
June 20th, 2010
Update time.
As an earlier post gave away, we’ve decided to name our baby Alan. It’s a name that V likes a lot. And it’s a good, solid guy’s name to me. It’s definitely very difficult to name a person we haven’t met yet, but we’re very pleased with our selection. His middle name will be a Chinese name that Alan can use as his first name when he’s in Shanghai–but we haven’t settled on it yet. It’s much harder to come up with a Chinese name (which we’re creating from scratch by combining Chinese characters), but we have been getting ideas from V’s parents and we should be ready to decide soon! It’s very important to us that we allow Alan to feel connected to his Chinese heritage as well.
Overall, as we now enter into the third trimester, V and the baby are doing well. The baby has been moving and kicking a lot recently, especially in the morning (which is quite fun to feel). V has cut back hours at work to rest and to study. We’ve recently purchased a crib and stroller, and we picked up several baby toys and a car seat from a generous co-worker of mine. We’ve also set up our registry at Babies ‘R Us and my Mom is mailing out the baby shower invitations for August 7th. And we’ve attended informational sessions at our hospital and taken a tour of the labor and delivery wing.
There’s a lot to keep track of and prepare for, but so far things are progressing smoothly and happily towards September! We can’t wait to meet our Alan!!
Posted in Alan, My News | 1 Comment »
June 5th, 2010
This week I’ve found a new cause to support. And it involves one of my greatest passions–ballparks.
It all started last week when the Plain Dealer sports section ran a special series recapping the biggest events that occurred at League Park, the home of Cleveland Indians baseball from 1891-1946 and one of the original steel-based ballparks in the United States. After reading about the 1920 World Series–an Indians win which featured the first WS grand slam, home run by a pitcher, and unassisted triple play–as well as Addie Joss’ perfect game, Bob Feller’s MLB debut, Babe Ruth’s 500th HR, Tris Speaker’s 3,000th hit, Joe DiMaggio’s 56th [and final] consecutive game with a hit, and Cy Young’s first pitch to open the ballpark, I felt compelled to get in the car on Memorial Day and drive to the historical site to feel the nostalgia.
When I arrived at the site where the ballpark once proudly stood–at the corner of E. 66th and Lexington Avenue–I was surprised to see that at least portions of the ballpark’s original exterior are still standing (the right field ticketing building and the first base grandstand), as well as the original right field and left field foul poles. The rest of the site is a fenced-in public park. In the hour or so I spent there walking around and taking pictures, I imagined what the ballpark must’ve looked and felt like back in its prime–when it witnessed as much baseball history as any ballpark in the nation. Ever.
When I got back home I continued to look for more information about the ballpark online. And then I stumbled upon the website of the League Park Society, a chartered non-profit organization dedicated to working with Cleveland City Council to preserve, restore, and revitalize League Park (http://www.leaguepark.org/). The Society’s mission is to make League Park a viable and rich part of the greater Cleveland community, with the ultimate goal being to reconstruct a scaled-down version of League Park as well as a League Park Museum on the existing site to serve as a baseball center of excellence for kids.
This is a cause I can definitely get on board with. To me it’s a win-win situation all around. It combines community development with the preservation of one of America’s greatest ballparks. I then immediately filled out a membership application and began gathering signatures for the The League Park Society’s petition to City Council. If you have not done so already, please consider signing here: http://www.petitiononline.com/lp1891/petition.html. As a note, there is no requirement for donation.
I appreciate everyone’s help. This is obviously something I feel very strongly about. My hope is that one day fathers and sons will be able to play catch in League Park II. You can bet Alan and I will be among the first to take advantage of the new ballpark when that time comes!
Posted in Indians, Stadiums, The League Park Society | 1 Comment »
May 14th, 2010
Yesterday the Cavaliers fell 94-85 in Game 6 in Boston to drop their best of seven Eastern Conference Semi-final against the Celtics 4-2. The Cavs had dropped Game 4 on Sunday in Boston 97-87 and Game 5 on Tuesday in Cleveland 120-88.
The team that showed up in these past three defeats was not the same Cavaliers team that we saw all season long. Something was off. Something was wrong. Whether it was LeBron’s elbow, the team losing faith in the coach, or whatever the case may be, it was disappointing and hard to understand. In the previous four postseasons in the LeBron and Mike Brown era, the Cavs always rose up and played their best basketball in the playoffs. A Cavs fan could always count on that. But this year, for the first time, the Cavs played beneath their capabilities.
The Cavs were so prepared to take on Orlando after acquiring guys like Shaq and Jamison, but unfortunately those two did not match up well against Boston. Mo did not live up to expectations for the second straight postseason. And Delonte had his worst postseason by far. All of that could have been overcome if LBJ was the super-human force we’ve seen in the past, but apparently there was nothing left in his tank this time around.
Now the franchise will inevitably face change. Mike Brown will be fired and some of the players won’t be brought back. But of course the biggest story will be whatever LeBron James decides to do. It’s hard to imagine him playing anywhere else but in Cleveland. Cavs fans love him. We will forgive him for one bad series. He’s given us so many fond memories in Cleveland–even including another outstanding 61-win regular season and 6 playoff victories this season. There’s still plenty of time for him to deliver that long awaited championship to Cleveland. Let’s just hope he feels the same way this summer.
Posted in Cavaliers | 1 Comment »
May 7th, 2010
Tonight the Cavaliers scored a 124-95 Game 3 blow-out victory over the Boston Celtics in Boston to go up 2-1 in their best of seven Eastern Conference Semi-final. The Cavs had won Game 1 on Saturday 101-93 and dropped Game 2 on Monday 104-86. Both games were played in Cleveland.
The Cavs responded to their first major dose of adversity in these playoffs like a championship-caliber team would. They took it personally and went out and annihilated the Celtics in Game 3. [Now Two-time reigning MVP] LeBron answered the critics who said he looked lethargic and let his injured elbow get the best of him by going for 38-8-7. Shaq answered the critics who said he looked old and slow by shooting 5 for 7 and playing great D. Antawn and Mo played up to their potential and contributed as well, scoring 20 points and 12 points respectively. It’s no secret that the Cavs need LeBron at his best and at least two of the other three to contribute for the Cavs to win games in the late rounds of the playoffs. And when all four are at the top of their games like tonight, the Cavs are just downright unstoppable.
Game 3 was how this series was supposed to go. Yes, the Celtics are former Champions playing with a sense of urgency to extend their run together. But the reason their core is about to be broken up is because they just don’t have the same skills that they had two years ago during their title run. I give them credit for playing with heart and a lot of guts in the two games in Cleveland. Any team who beats the Cavs at the Q deserves a lot of credit. But right now the outcomes of these games are all resting with the Cavs. When the Cavs put it all together and play with urgency for 48 mins, no one can beat them. When they lack focus and execution for extended periods, they open the door for a defeat.
Bascially nobody responds to a loss as well as these Cavaliers. All year long they rebounded from losses to put up huge performances. The next step is for the Cavs to channel that fight and desire in games following big wins as well. A win in Game 4 of this series would all but be the final blow to the aging Celtics.
Posted in Cavaliers | No Comments »
May 2nd, 2010
Friday was such an exciting day. As V and I sat with the nurse and waited to hear the gender of the baby, we both knew we were in a win-win situation. Whether it was a boy or girl, we were prepared to celebrate. All that mattered was that the baby was healthy, which it has been. We truly had no preference.
And then the nurse said the words that every father dreams of hearing…”It’s a boy.”
At that moment I became wonderfully overwhelmed with joy. I had no idea it would feel so great to hear those words. I looked at V and she looked back at me, and we both just felt the same thing–that we were truly blessed in that moment. To think I will have a little guy to take to ballgames and play catch with in the backyard of our house. Amazing! Our “Tiger,” our little guy…I just can’t wait for his arrival in September!
And now the fun really begins. Choosing a name, buying clothes, decorating his room, planning a baby shower…fortunately we already have a bedroom painted in blue!!
P.S. This wasn’t our only good news recently. Turns out after a lengthy appeals process, I’m thrilled to say that V was at long last proclaimed eligible to sit for the bar exam. We always knew she met the requirements, but it’s been an uphill climb getting her transcript translated and approved by the state. V had actually been fighting the state ever since I’ve known her. But finally she now has the chance to show what I’ve known all along…that she has all the potential in the world to be an oustanding lawyer!
Posted in Alan, My News | 1 Comment »
April 28th, 2010
Last night the Cavaliers followed up a 121-98 Game 4 victory over the Chicago Bulls in Chicago on Sunday with a 96-94 series-clinching (4-1)Game 5 victory in Cleveland in their best of seven Eastern Conference Quarter-final. The Cavs previously dropped Game 3 in Chicago 108-106 on Thursday.
The Cavs took care of business relatively quick in this series, with the lone blemish coming in a narrow defeat in Game 3. I was extremely pleased with the way the Cavs handled their first bit of adversity during these playoffs, as they rebounded to crush the Bulls in Game 4 by 23 points on the road. LeBron was incredible in Game 4, making half-court jumpers and finishing with an enormous stat line of 37-12-11. LeBron didn’t have the same monster performance in Game 5, but fortunately the Cavs got just enough production from the supporting cast to close out this series. Jamison looked like the player the Cavs hoped for when they acquired him midseason, draining shot after shot en route to a 20-point first half. And during one sequence at the start of the 4th quarter, Shaq looked like the dominant Shaq of playoffs past. Four consecutive half-court sets featured an entry pass to Shaq in the post; the first three resulted in Bulls fouls and the fourth resulted in a spin-and-slam dunk by Shaq that electrified the crowd and frustrated the Bulls. Eventually, Gibson and Miller would foul out and Noah would finish with 5 fouls due to the Shaq effect.
Now hopefully Noah will enjoy his summer vacation. Perhaps he can spend a few extra days in Cleveland. As for the Cavs, the playoffs will now kick up a notch as Boston awaits in Round 2 of the Cavs’ revenge tour. It should be a phenomenal series. Got to like the Cavs chances though, as the Celtics are in their last stand with their current core of players. If the Cavs play their game, there’s no reason that series can’t end in 5 just like this one.
Posted in Cavaliers | 1 Comment »
April 20th, 2010
It’s that time of year again. Time for the NBA Playoffs! As the Cleveland Cavaliers march towards their goal of winning an NBA Championship, I will be writing down my thoughts about the Cavaliers’ journey.
Last night the Cavaliers followed up a 96-83 Game 1 victory over the Chicago Bulls in Cleveland on Saturday with a 112-102 Game 2 victory to go up 2-0 in their best of seven Eastern Conference Quarter-final.
As the 2010 playoffs begin, it’s hard not to like the Cavs chances to bring that elusive Championship to Cleveland for the first time since 1964. They are built for this. LeBron James is the undisputed League MVP and Best Player on the Planet. He’s in his prime and hungrier than ever. And since last year’s playoff exit, the Cavs have acquired Shaq, Antawn Jamison, Anthony Parker, and Jamario Moon–four talented and tested veterans. Joining them in the rotation are three starters from last year’s 66-win team–Z, Andy, and Delonte–who now come off the bench, plus holdovers Mo Williams, Daniel Gibson, JJ Hickson, and Jawad Williams. The Cavaliers are the deepest and most talented team in the league. Throughout the season, the Cavs showed they can play big or small, inside or outside, halfcourt or in transition. They can now match-up with anyone.
In Game 1 the Cavs sent a message to the Bulls and the rest of the league that they are ready for the NBA’s second season, jumping out to a 14-point 1st quarter lead that they never relinquished. In Game 2 the Bulls brought their A-game and gave the Cavs their best shot, only to find themselves helpless to defend LeBron (40-8-8) in the 4th quarter and on the wrong side of another double-digit point spread.
As the Cavs first round series with the Bulls shifts to Chicago for Game 3, this series is already over. In fact it was over before it even started. The Cavs are simply too talented for the Bulls, and Michael Jordan won’t be walking through the door of the United Center anytime soon. Part of me hopes that our #23 beats the Bulls at the buzzer in this series. But then again I’d like to see the Cavs continue to dominate and put this series away easily.
Posted in Cavaliers | No Comments »
