Short Ribs (Wang Galbi)
On the 3rd week of May, which was the 21st, I met a neighbor who lives in the same apartment. He usually parks his car 3 spaces away to the left of my spot. He is about my age, maybe a year or two older than me, and is very healthy and always outgoing. His skin is slightly dark.
I met him awhile back in the elevator, and he was reading a book. I asked him whose writing it was and it was Schopenhauer’s writing. My first impression of him was that he likes to read a lot of books, and likes to read philosophical books. He is always outgoing and easy to talk to. Every time I am walking with my wife in the morning I see him riding his bicycle to somewhere, or is coming back from somewhere. Whenever I see him, we greet and that is about it.
But on the third Saturday of May, I saw him coming out of his car holding a bag. As if to greet him, I asked him where he was coming from, he said he was coming back from swimming. When I asked him how much the membership would cost every month, he said it was free! As “one who likes free stuff would even drink lye water” my ears were opened. When I asked him where this free swimming pool is located, he said that it is in a gym that is in a Senior Hall associated with the city of Santa Clara. It has a very well built gymnasium and has the swimming pool. I never knew that the cities of Sunnyvale or Cupertino ever had such senior hall. I see the directions to the senior hall all the time while I drive past it, but I never cared much and would just drive by.
He said that anyone from Santa Clara that is 65 years old can use the gym free, and there are many other programs for them. Giving me the address, he said in a firm tone that it is “very close” from our senior apartment. So the next Tuesday, with a file that proves that my wife and I are residing in Santa Clara, I went to the senior hall. The senior hall has a small park adjacent to it, and is a well maintained building. When I told them the reason of my visit, they kindly welcomed me. It reminds me of the stories of those who had immigrated to United States long time ago, of the kindness the public office employees. The employee said there was an urgent call to reply and soon, a manager like person came in with a smile. She is an older White lady. After a short time of checking files, she took me to a photo-taking place for a membership card. I remember when I first immigrated to United States the first time the DMV employees were so nice. But the past 30 years with immigrations of multi-culture, and the growing of population, their attitude has since changed.
I’m not really sure, but I think the elderly generation is kinder than the younger generation. They told me to smile during the photo taking, and made me choose one of the photos. I was happy that I was being treated fair and kind. The time was around 11:45 near lunch time and outside a different hall there was a line with people. I inquired about the line of people and they said they were coming for lunch. They serve lunch for $2.50 per person, and she led me to show the menu. There were many diverse menus for a whole month, but I wouldn’t bother with it, since I didn’t like fancy meals with a lot of meat. There were many programs available from computers, art, and to dance, seminars, and even paying your own fee to travel abroad, etc.
After we moved into the senior apartment, I noticed whenever I am driving, and see a police car or a government car, there is a sticker that commemorates the year 2001 for being the “Best City of United States”. I wondered why it was called, and for about 3 months now, I’ve noticed there is never a police car hiding to catch drivers. Our city is nicknamed “The Mission City”. Sure, talks of separating the religion and government, but every Easter Sunday early in the morning at the central park, everyone joins for a worship service. During Memorial Days or Independence Day, there are many events held here. There are many systems to help young children. Next to the Santa Clara Central Library, there is an Olympic sized swimming pool; there are pictures of the members who have won gold medal in Olympics in 1970s.
After happily receiving my membership, I went there with my wife to the senior hall to go and swim. When I went to the Gym, there is a combined fitting room for swimming and work out area, which is clean and well maintained. Before the swimming pool, there is a fitting room, washing room, room with a large mirror, a bathroom, and shower room. When I entered the swimming pool, there is a regular pool, and a heated area. There is a high platform with a young life guard sitting down.
In the swimming pool, there is a line to walk and exercise, a line for those who swim slow, and fast. We went into the heated pool to walk and exercise. There are many exercise equipments in swimming pool. I had a dumbbell to workout, walking fast, and running in the spot, running, working out the arms, waist, and neck. I do my exercise in that manner every day. I didn’t notice in the swimming pool, but outside I noticed I use more energy working out in the swimming pool than walking. Yesterday during bible study, one of the members asked if I was sick. After few days of exercising, I have lost about 2 pounds and I now weigh 126 pounds. When I came to United States 31 years ago, I weighed 136 pounds but now after losing 12 pounds, I laughed at how I looked during swimming session. My nickname during my young days was “Dried Anchovy” but now I look more like a “Short Rib”, just skin and bones. Anchovy or ribs, I exercise daily to keep my health that God has given. Not caring what people say, a rib getting in water, I smile and I give thanks to God the elderly of the city and how they treat them well.
(June 9th, 2011)
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Epilogue: 20 Months 
Short Ribs (Wang Galbi)