My Sister's Wedding - AZ

We rolled in Chandler, AZ at 5am. We did not like Chandler, AZ. It's a mecca for suburbanites. As I watched my sister, Hang, get ready, I realized how opposite she and I are. I don't think we even look alike. People tell us we sound alike and that we have similar mannerisms, but she voted for Bush, and that's just unforgivable ;).

She's a good person, she's just so traditional, and straight and conservative. That's just the outer layer. Growing up I was the black sheep of the family, but I think she's taken that title from me.

Here's a picture of me and my mom in our VN Ao Dai Traditional dress preparing to meet the Groom's family. I just happened to bring it along, didn't even know if it would still fit since I had it made in VN 4 years ago. The Ao Dai is made fitted so that if you gain more than 5lbs, it won't fit anymore.


Here's a picture of Thuy, a college friend of both Hang and myself, and her new man Joe. We had quite a bit of fun with them. They live in Vegas and he owns 5 restaurants. After the reception we all went to the Casino to drink and play a little blackjack. Hopefully we'll get to hang out with them some when they visit next or when we visit Vegas.

Here's a picture of my sister and her husband, Quang. He's a super sweet guy, the nicest she's ever dated (we haven't always approved of her previous attachments). His family is also super sweet and down to earth. He absolutely adores her and she abuses him a little here and there, but in all, I do think she loves him.

And here is Juliet. Hang got her 9 years ago. I remember holding Juliet in the palm of my hand, so small, so cute. She's still pretty adorable, likes to lay around and stare at people, and she loves getting her picture taken.

We were pretty happy to leave Chandler on Sunday. It took us 16 hours to drive home due to the horrific traffic that is Thanksgiving weekend. So good to be home, in SF and in our home. We love it so much here. There's no place like SF, there's no place like SF.

Pre-Turkey

Since we are driving to my sister's in AZ for thanksgiving, we decided to throw together a little shindig before we left. It was great. I hadn't cooked a turkey in 6 years. This time, I went all out and brined the turkey 4 hours before, inserted fresh sage underneath the skin, rubbed it with salt and pepper and an hour before it was done, laid strips of bacon on the turkey for the juices.

It was a beautiful bird. I didn't get pictures since I was so busy in the kitchen. We had a ton of people over and everything was delicious. Andy and Allison made some spiced cidar drink with bourbon. And we drank. There was pumpkin pie and home made fresh cream from Migdal, pumpkin cheesecake from Allison, and an amazing apple pie from Sandy/Carla. And lots of wine.

Heading out now to AZ.... to see the family.

 

KerryLand

Sunday we celebrated Kerry's birthday at her Furry Animal Tea Party. She is the cutest little otter running around with a clamshell and a rock, it was darn cute.

Even Maddick got dressed up as a black cat. I love fur, but am not a huge fan of dressing like an animal, figure that... from someone who loves to dress up.

It was worth it, I'd do it all over again for Kerry who's too sweet and cute for me not to make her birthday as she'd like.
 

Nathan Baby

Saturday night we had dinner at Sandy/Carla and got a big treat hanging out and drinking with baby Nathan. He's got all of his dad's charming smile and personality and the warmth of his mom.

They've fixed up their house so beautifully, it felt like a real home, meaning for babies and families and stuff, whereas my place still feels like a bachelor's pad. I guess it's b/c that's where we are still. We love sharing our home with Andy and Allison. They make us laugh. I'm not sure I'm ready to have a huge old house to ourselves yet. There's such a sense of community sharing, well, if you have an awesome roommate like we do it, it's amazing.

More and more I've realized that I'm becoming an extrovert...the definition I like is that you get your strength from others around you, whereas an introvert finds strength within. The community I have I wouldn't trade for anything. Now, if only I can win the lotto ;).




They made to die for crab sauteed in garlic, ginger and soy sauce... It was awesome. And for dessert, we of course had Diande's.

Nathan is sucking wine off of my finger and loving it. That's some pretty cool parents. 

Threadlounge Ladies

Last night was friends and family night at Threadlounge - operated by Colleen and now Brimeeza. Champagne was flowing...

Our/my social life has picked up notches since we returned from Mexico. There's barely a night that I'm at home. I am having so much fun... it's difficult to focus on career and such. Perhaps in January when things settle down a bit.

This weekend we have a BBQ with Carla/Sandy, and Sunday is Kerry's animal tea party followed by dinner at SaraG/Dan's with XT.


 

XT's Extravaganza at Baobab

Last night a wholelotta people got together at Baobob's on Mission and 19th to visit with XT before she heads back to the East coast next week. Commiserated with SaraG on the frustrations of being a bride and how so many people have built such an industry around this event.

They prey on you like hawks. I think it's "they" who create such high expectations of what that special day is all about, so they can prey on making sure you are willing to spend all your money for that one special day.

And it was such a surprise and pleasure to see Maddick out. Hopefully I'll be able to get some one on one time in with him next week at our pre-thanksgiving dinner.

And there is sweet Jess who was just buzzing all over the place talking up her storm. It was pretty amazing to have the 4 of us back together for dinner: me, XT, Smesh, Rachel before the rest of the crew came. Many people congatulated AG and I, and I forgot that people were quite speculative about us in the beginning. It's so sweet to know that my friends look out for me, worry about me, but know that I'm very capable of taking care of myself. You've got to do that for your friends.
And the bell of the ball, our XT... isn't she gorgeous and glowing? With all the male energy around her, I would be too. Me thinks she needs to wear more reds - cuz she's damn spicy in it.
 

Paella at Brimeeza's

Here's our cute little charlie brown and his adorable Moo chef AG cooking up a storm of Paella. What I can remember most about this night is that I laughed all night, especially towards the end of night after consuming 20 Mohammad Mussels and drinking 6 glasses of wine; while AG is holding and teasing me.

Afterwards, we dropped Colleen off at the tow company and I woke up fully dressed and not remembering how I got into bed. That's a pretty darn good night.
 

Dinner at Colleen's

Updating pictures of dinner at Colleen's last week. She's a fabulous woman and we've been getting to know her more. Why are there so many fabulous single women in SF?

To be a single man in SF is a privilege... If they only knew how good they have it here. And I have it good too, with so many awesome women friends, such great community.

 

Little ladies

Sienna and Lila are pulling out all their little tricks to get XT's attention.

I should get a "Please rub my belly" sign for both. Siennal will lay for up to 5 minutes hoping someone will notice her. Sometimes I'm game, other times I ignore her. Lila has picked up quickly on this trick, but she just doesn't have it down like Sienna... there's just something a little off about Lila's position.... 

Girls power

I had a gathering at my house of strong women. Elida, KT, Colleen, XT, Mie, Elaine, Tameeza, Rachel, Sarah G, Smesh, Kerry, and Sasha. What an amazing group of women. Three of us are engaged and there will be three weddings next year. One momma baby. We drank, ate, and caught up... KT was the first to show up - unfucking believable. I guess people can change :).

We passed the horn and little Tes around. I've been told that I can no longer handle the baby when drinking. I have that Asian urge to pinch and squeeze fat little babies. That urge goes unchecked when drinking.

By the end of the evening, I had made 3 speeches on how wonderful it was to see these women. I woke up at 2am on my couch...ugh, headache.

Tonight XT and I had dinner at Colleen's. We met a bunch of new people, one of whom was married by Otto. What a small world.
 

Election 2006: America is stirring

I've been glued to the TV set since 4pm. I'm ecstatic that the Americans are angry. They aren't taking it anymore from this administration. The Democrats are so close to taking the House back and possibly even the Senate. I'm watching the interviews and the Republicans are having one of their worst days since 1984.... heeheee, hahhaaaa..... I love it, love it....

And more importantly, this election was a revolt against this Administration. It gives me hope that the people are taking back their power, that they are waking up and realizing the gross abuse of powers gone unchecked. XT and I are cheering each time a D takes a seat from R.

Whoohoo, the D's won the House. We need 3 seats to gain control of the Senate... How exciting.

At home - finally

It's so nice to be working at home again. These last few weeks have been disruptive, getting up early, driving everyday to work in the South Bay, trudging back home. It's very tiring. How did I do that for so long?

Today, got up at 8am, played with pups, made coffee in my little 2 cup French Press that I usually keep at work. It's so relaxing to be at home. My thoughts aren't racing all over the place, I'm feeling grounded and can think more clearly.

XT is here. We spent a good night catching up during our walk to and from dinner. Feels as if she never left. Lila is passed out on her pillow after a nice breakfast. I think I've found the secret to getting Sienna to eat her food. Play with her and get her body moving, then she gets hungry. Today, she finished her food and started on Lila's... It's neat trying to figure out your dog's little quirks.

Must keep moving, must get things completed....

Finding Peace Within

I didn't realize that I was missing it, until I had it. This last week has been blissful. Everything feels good. I'm not sure why it does - I have some thoughts and opinions about it. I am extremely happy and at peace at the moment. I have agendas to complete still, and desires to be quenched, but I feel full.

AG and I had a great weekend. We did nothing out of the ordinary or spectacular. Saturday night we went to watch Borat with Andy/Allison and ate a million candy bars. Sunday morning we got him ready to go to Vegas for the week. I think, it's the companionship that made this week so blissful. We've laughed a lot, shared dreams and opinions. Our morning talks, when we have the time for them, are precious - especially on weekends. Planning our day and the rest of our weekend together. I have not had the urge to kill him this week :). That is a good sign.

Of course he's been busy with basketball and our fantasay league... We named our team after our fearsome mascots - our Dauxilla Demons. I think we are currently in 12th out of 16th place. AG is a diligent and tenacious manager. We came in 3rd last year. I'm apparently the co-manager. It's only a title, I don't even know who's on our fantasy team.

Spent time with Miss Smesh today. She caught me up on her men, as it's raining heavy in the east bay. It's nice to know she's having a little fun over there. It was good to see her, I miss our talks. At one point, I had a future flash of Smesh 40 years from now, god that would make us 76? She had her shawl and grandma slippers on with her cute little glasses. Wonder what I'd be like in 40 years. I hope I'm a spitfire shit-talker, no nonsense grandma with a fast car. And taking my grandchildren out on a spin and telling them not to listen to their parents.

Los Muertos in the Mission

Last year, AG and I saw part of the procession and we vowed to be a part of it the next year. It was so beautiful, really. The energy was so beautiful - it's difficult to explain. To have something we've always been taught as macabre (death, skeletons etc.) and have such feelings of elation, joy and beauty connected to it felt inconsistent with what I've been brought up with.

It a huge turnout. We started with the procession at 25th and Bryant and went down 25th to the Mission. At that point, we decided to head back to the altars, which were gorgeously decorated and lit up.


Along the way, I saw these wonderful kids dressed up. They were the cutest things. Especially after the debacle in the Castro for Halloween. AG and I had taken a walk through the Mission to check out all the little kiddies in their outfits. We stumbled upon a street party for children on Fair Oaks. The entire street had participated and the kids were all running around in little round bunny and pumpkin outfits. We decided to head towards the Castro to check out Halloween costumes since we were so close already.

It had been over 6 years since I went to the Castro for Halloween. It's deteriorated since then. We felt old. Thankfully, we left around 9ish closer to 10. The next day, we heard that there had been a shooting and 8 people were shot, 1 injured from being trampled in the melee. Terrible.

So the Los Muertos celebration last night helped to take that sourness out. It was beautiful, cultural and respectful. I love that children are being taught that death is not supposed to be scary. It's celebrated, and that loved ones will be remembered and cherished after they pass away. I also can't believe it's so close to our house. It's awesome to live in such a vibrant community.