The walk for Pete Sessions this morning in Irving was great. Nate spoke on behalf of Pete because Pete couldn't be there. They served all of us breakfast instead of lunch as usual.

The Metrocrest Republican club annual hot dog hoe down went well tonight. There were so many judges, from justice of the peace, county court to the appeal court.

I finally finished unpack, yes, and sort out everything I brought back from New York. Let's try a day to day account of my first trip ever to New York and a Republican National Convention? My brother dropped me off at DFW on Saturday morning, August 28th, around 06:00h. There were quite a few of us going on the same flight to EWR Newark Liberty in New Jersey: Scott and his daughter, Larry and Marian, Wayne and Karin, Mary and Priscilla, .... The flight was delay for half an hour due to a rain storm. Then we boarded and waited on the runway. Got to EWR late. Then we had to figure out how to get from the airport to the hotel. Too many shuttle bus options. We didn't want to take the taxi since it costs $54 plus $8 toll. I, Mary and Priscilla took the bus to the east side, then we had to get off and take a van to the west side of Manhattan. Got to our hotel, which is right smack in the middle of Time square, 43rd street between 7th Ave. and 8th Ave., checked in and then I called Cecilia. She and I then walked up 9th street to check out the menu at a few restaurants of different cuisine: Brazilian, Greek, Thai. We went for Thai. We had a great time catching up. We went to highschool and had a lot of AP classes together. We haven't seen each other for about ten years. If not for the reunion planning thing, we probably wouldn't have been able to get back in touch.

Cecilia had to get back to work and running errand but she suggested I check out Central Park since it was real nice outside. I went back to the hotel, met with Elaine and she introduced me to a few people and I promised to help with the Asian American Republican National Coalition Convention the next day. I then went to check out Central Park. I have never walked so much in my life. I had to sit down at a bench in Central Park for a while to rest because I was getting cramp in both of my calves. From there, I went to the Empire State Building. It was beautiful on the observation deck at night.

Sunday, started in the morning at the Marriott Marquis on 45th and 7th. I helped with the registration. Met a whole bunch of people from the Asian American press and Nevada state chairman of the Young Republicans. Went over to the New York Hilton to pick up my credentials and all the stuffs that were given out to delegate, especially the now famous cowboy hat. Karin was so nice saving me a place in the line for credentials while I was picking out the right size for my hat. Went back and had lunch with the Asian American Republicans, had a chance to get to know the volunteers.

I then went to the subway station, asked around until I found enough information to take the train down to 14th. Get off on 14th, took the train going along 14th and then switch to another one to go to lower Manhanttan for a 15:00h Sunday service at at a church on 2nd Ave. between 4th and 5th streets. I had met some people from that church at a district conference back in July in California. A whole lot of protesters in lower Manhattan and there weren't as many police officers. I just minded my own business and there was no incident. By this time of the day, most of the protests were done, and they have had a few beers by the look on their faces. On the way back, there were a group of protesters on got to the same subway car, and their leader said something like: "We did a great job. I am sure there are some Republicans on this train too," but that was about it.

I then headed over to the New York Hilton to join the Texas delegation getting on the buses for our welcoming party on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. On the way getting there, Ground Zero was pointed out to us. Security was tight. Food was served right on the floor. We heard from Texas Republican Party chairman Benkiser, governor Perry, lieutenant governor Dewhurst, majority leader DeLay, the president of the NYSE, I forgot her name. Meeting a whole lot of interesting people: a couple who worked at the Shepherd Air Force base, a pastor of a church in Denton and his wife, Bob: Harris county webmaster, Vergel: young Republican from Harris county, Ben who had served in Iraq. Ben was telling me that he got into Bangdad and had his picture taken on the balcony from which we see the familiar image of Saddam firing his rifle with one hand. We all had an opportunity to get on to the balcony for picture though we had to wait in line for a long while and the photographer wanted to stop taking picture because it was already 22:30. While waiting in line, Cathie introduced me to Kelly of the Free Market Foundation. We were given a really nice medallion as souvenir as we were leaving the floor of the exchange.