My dad retired a little over a week ago. Since then, he has been writing short essays about the interesting places he visited during his business trips and sending them to me to edit. Unfortunately, I haven't had any spare time to do so. Work has been very crazy, with the upcoming launch of my bureau's redesigned Web site on Tuesday, and at home I have been occupied with shopping for things for the sunroom and cleaning house in general. I also have had some work to do for the Asian American Journalists Association.

I invited my parents over for lunch today. Both of them were delighted with the progress of the sunroom, and my mother appeared impressed by how organized and neat the house is becoming -- she muttered something about the "organization gene" finally expressing itself. Even though I haven't managed to edit my dad's essays yet, at least my parents were able to see I haven't been idle .... Hopefully I'll be able to do some editing during the upcoming three-day weekend. I know my dad is anxious to get the essays back. He also expressed interest in putting his work on a personal Web site, and I said I would help him with that as well whenever I get a free moment.