Tag: family

Ten More Things I’m Currently Thankful For

Last week, in the spirit of my 2nd favorite holiday, I shared 10 things I was currently thankful for. Here I am a week later and thought I’d share ten more and then I’ll do it one more time NEXT week, which is aptly one day before Thanksgiving.

  1. My mom.

    She’s been really excited about me coming home for Thanksgiving since I haven’t seen her since July. She’s calling me daily asking me what is it I want her to cook when I come home and what dishes I want to bring back to Austin. She likes to fill up coolers of food I can freeze and have when I want. She spoils me!

  2. Google. I’m so connected through Google I bet you I could just have a Grateful Google List. First and foremost, Gmail. Gmail not only keeps me connected through Gchat, AIM, and email. It is also the best notebook ever. I don’t know how many times Mary Ellen and I dispute about whether we talked about something or other and the Gmail search has never failed us in mediating. When I’m applying to jobs and cannot remember which positions is which, I Gmail search. When I want to find out the date of an event or even gossip details, I GMAIL SEARCH! GMAIL SEARCH IS AWESOME.
  3. Fine, I’m breaking up Google into GMAIL and all other Google applications. I have 5 different calendars under Google’s Calendar application. I have a social calendar, a “grown up/yucky” calendar, a health calendar, a cooking calendar (so I can keep track of when I made what), and a birthday calendar. All color coded. My social calendar text messages me my plans a day in advance. I also have a growing list of documents in Google Documents that range from old school work, to resumes, and to shared documents with friends. I have a private blog with Google’s Blogger. I have an Adsense and Analytics account through Google. I just recently signed up for Google Friendconnect (see sidebar and follow me!). I’m enamoured with Google.

    P.S. Orlando just so sweetly invited me to Google Wave. I haven’t quite figured Wave out yet.

  4. Dad’s journals.


    A cellphone picture of a old picture. That is my dad, my mom, my half sister, half brothers, and some of his friends on the boat they used to escape Vietnam.

    A few years ago I bought my dad a leather bound journal so that he could put into writing the story of his life. He finally finished one and is starting another one. When I go home for Thanksgiving, I cannot wait to borrow the first filled journal to begin to transcribe. I had no idea my dad has such a knack for telling a great story. His life is so amazing to me. Fighting in a war, being on the losing side of a war, being detained in a reeducation camp, escaping a communist country, possibilities of pirates. It’s a hell of a story. All the crazy drama aside, there is romance and humor. He writes of his first experience of Kentucky Fried Chicken and his crazy passionate love for my mom. Sigh. I cannot wait to borrow the first volume.

  5. Health. I’m thankful for my health, my family’s health, my friends’ health, Alan’s health. I’m happy to have everyone alive and well.
  6. My camera. Have you read my blog? You can get by just scrolling and looking at pictures. Haha. That’s what Alan does anyway. I am very thankful for my camera. So it goes without saying, I’m also very thankful for my photos. I need to get on printing them out. I have about a year and a half worth of photos to print.
  7. My part time job. Goodness, it’s taking me a lot longer than I expected to find a job. This also is why one of the reasons why I said I was thankful for Brittany in my first list, she was the one who referred me to this job. I’m happy I have at least this job. It slows down the dwindling of my savings by covering my rent. Whew.
  8. Lunch date with Bing and Deesh yesterday.


    Deesh and Me, Halloween 2007

    I was on campus yesterday for a Psych research study that involved alcohol. Deesh was going to help make sure I made it home safe in case I was randomized into the alcohol group. Aww. So I met these two boys up at school for lunch. It was nice to be back on campus with Deesh. Deesh was a classmate in A LOT of my classes during college. I’m on campus often enough to use the gym with Nisreen but this was the first time I was on campus with Deesh since I graduated. Brought back a surge of memories of my younger self. I remember being worried we wouldn’t be friends after we graduated, but lookit! We’re still friends and I graduated 4 years ago.

  9. Online Streaming and DVR. I remember one of the reasons Jessica, Brandi, and I started our weekly “Joy Luck Club” dinner club four years ago, was to be able to socialize and yet also catch our favorite show at the time, Grey’s Anatomy. This is before DVR and online streaming. I remember scheduling my life around Grey’s Anatomy. Now! Now, thanks to ABC.com and lovely DVR, we are not held hostage by our shows. I also remember working during business hours and never being able to catch my lovely, Oprah. The last couple of years I was able to catch her thanks to DVR. Ah :) such joy.
  10. My Five Senses. My neighbor is blind and often times our apartment leaves fliers or notifications on his door and it just piles up. I remember he had a package notice left by the apartment and I left an awkward message at the office explaining that neighbor has left his notices on his door because he’s blind. I had another neighbor last year who was deaf and used to have me call their pizza orders in for them. I’m thankful for these neighbors because they remind me that I’m so blessed to have my five senses. I can eat and blog about the tasty foods I eat. I can hear the phone ring and the door knock and see my loved ones and treasure my photos. How lucky are we to have our senses?
  11. Your turn! What are you thankful for these days?

How do you support your loved ones?

Photo Credit: Thomas Chen

As a daughter, sister, friend, girlfriend, I always aspire to offer emotional support to my people. To be there for my loved ones when life throws them lemons. Divorce. Illnesses. Layoffs. I’ll be the ear, the shoulder, the eyes, whatever it is they need that is within my power. These things happen to the best of us. I’ve been blessed to have a great support system that has and will continue to do the same for me. However, what about the things we have more control over? Like our decisions?

More often now that we’re all growing up, we’re faced with bigger decisions with bigger consequences. Should we buy a house on our income and savings? Is it the right time to get married? Should I quit my job during a recession? Should I go to law school? Are we ready for a baby? Big giant decisions here and everyone and their mommas has an opinion on how you should decide your life. Hell, I’ve had some pretty strong reactions to some of the decisions my friends were contemplating and making. I’ve vehemently prayed and hoped they’d go one way over the other. In the end though, I remind myself that it’s their lives, their decisions. Once the decisions are made, as long as there’s no reckless endangerment or criminal behavior, I put on my optimistic pants and hope for the best. This is regardless of whether or not their decisions align with how I feel they should decide their life. Sometimes my loved ones give me anxiety pain because I’m so worried about what they might do and what possible havoc might follow but I brace myself with them. This is the kind of support I aim to provide. Of course there are limits, but this is generally my intent.

It disappoints and puzzles me that this intent isn’t always reciprocated or even practiced. Some people actually feel justified cutting off relationships because the person in question is “making stupid decisions.” Again, I understand there are limits. Aside from issues such as alcoholism, unprotected hook ups, driving while under the influence, being in an abusive relationship, and breaking laws, sure these are atrocious crimes and endanger the general public. Don’t support these decisions. Don’t be there. Kick at them. They probably deserve it. In other matters though? Careers, relationships, some financial, etc., why not live and let live. That’s my motto. Who are you anyway to judge?


What do you think? Are you there for your friends when they do “stupid” things?

My brother the LEGO dork.

I like dorks. I have a lot of dorky people in my life. For instance, my brother is a classic dork. Science major. Plays a lot of video games. But his real claim to dorkiness is his knack for LEGO art. I stole some pictures off his facebook. I’m leaving you with the DORKIEST LEGO creation at the end. One of these creations is kind of graphic for LEGOs. You’ve been warned.

Tree

Tree

feast
FEAST! Yum yum.

blood!
Really. That’s LEGO blood.

The KING of dorky LEGO creations that inspired this post is this coffee table organizer.

Coffee table organizer
You have a place for two remotes, 1 cell phone, 1 drink, post its, 2 video game controls, and a pen holder! He is a very organized individual.

My kid brother is now 24 (Oddly, I’m still young as ever!)

My kid brother turned 24 today. We celebrated at Mighty Fine (his first time!) and later the gang met up at Sherlocks. My brother ordered from the Mighty Fine secret menu. He got the Beast! 2 1/2 lb patties and 4 slices of cheese. He added bacon. Bacon!!! I feel like Bacon deserves an echo everytime it’s mentioned. Bacon!!

Pictures.









THE BEAST!


Jesse rocking out at Sherlocks.

2008 in Review

January
- Kim came up for New Years. We celebrated downtown with Alan’s couple of friends and Jon and the boys.
- Kim and I wrote on two balloons on New Year’s Day. One balloon of our regrets and things we’re letting go. The other balloon our desires for 2009. Then we ever so poetically, released them on my balcony.
-I went to San Diego for the fourth time. I made it to the zoo and stayed at the same hotel as Jon and Kate plus Eight when they went to San Diego on their way to Hawaii.
- Made Jambalaya for the first time.
-Ate a lot of food with Jon while he was visiting Texas.



At Paradise Pointe Resort in San Diego.

February
- Spent my favorite holiday with Jamie.
- Did my own taxes for the first time
- Found a new hair stylist of of Sixth Street after asking her for a kiss for Bing for his birthday.
- Sent out Valentine cards and packages.



Celebrated Bing’s birthday on Sixth Street. The night I met my hair dresser.

March
- Watched a lot of movies and cooked a lot of dinners with Alan.
- Cindy came up to visit. Introduced her finally to Flip Happy Crepes.
- I got about 3 hours of sleep a night.
- I go to San Diego for work yet again and stay at a hotel that had sex toys in their mini bar available to purchase.
- I search for a Madam Mam’s replacement. (Never found it)
- I celebrated Brandi’s birthday with Jessica. This is the 2nd time in 2008 we managed to spend some time together. We went downtown for her birthday and ate at Hula Hut.



With my girls, celebrating Brandi’s birthday. I wish this year we saw each other more. There was a time a year or two ago we saw each other once a week at least.

April
- I go to Second Chance Prom with Neville. Sweet since I didn’t have a date to my highs school prom. Well.. Liz was my date :)
- I meet my little and take her to celebrate Earth Day at Republic Square.
- I take a fabulous vacation to NYC (originally suppose to include Boston too and visit Mary Ellen but her paper got accepted into a conference). I got to see the Jennifers and Jon. Jon was my lovely host. (entry, entry, entry, entry)
- Had my first Brazilian Wax. Yikes.
- The father of two of the kids I’ve babysat since both of them were born, died.



Jon and I in NY.

May
- My brother graduates college! My parents came up to see him walk.
- Alan and I didn’t renew our lease and I started to mourn the apartment. I was in love with our location and view.
- Continue to babysit for the boys who lost their father. Started with the night of the memorial service and then the funeral.
- Selina asked me to be her bridesmaid.
- My brother turned 23. Making me feel old.



Our view.

June
- Go to funnest book signing I’ve been to with Si Nae and her boyfriend. We went to see Chuck Palahniuk promote Snuff. He threw out blow up dolls.
- I worked a lot.
- I saw a lot of movies with Alan.



Si Nae, her boy, and Chuck Palahniuk!

July
- Alan and I moved out and stopped being roommates :( But it was a good move for us :).
- Went to Florida for the first time to get Mary Ellen married. Flew in a few days early and I joined her clan in cooking, building, bitching, bonding, all in the name of love and the most beautiful wedding I’ve been to yet. It was pretty much a DIY wedding and you can see the labor of love in everything. The baby food jars around the garden sheltering tea light candles, the fireworks/crackers, the dance floor her uncles and aunts built, the cascading fruit basket one of her uncle fashioned at 3 in the morning the night before the wedding, etc. SO many details that were not only beautiful on its own, but also in the labor and thought and love that it represented.
- I take a Thursday off of work and Brandi and Jessica and I hang out for the third time this year. They treated me to a trip to Schiltterbahn for my birthday. Last year it was Sea World.
- Turned 25. Jen T who normally only comes once or twice a year happened to be in town for my birthday :). Si Nae dropped by flowers. I had a pretty birthday cake in the shape of a snow globe. I celebrated with friends. Felt special. Alan took me out to a romantic dinner and bought me a cell phone. It was a good birthday. Though I hate that I’m now 25.



Birthday celebration.

August
- Lily teaches us to make sushi.
- Alan introduces me to Mikados. I mention this because now we go here fairly often for sushi. I’ve yet to take him to Musashinos.
- Cindy comes and stays with me for almost 2 months for her pharmacy school rotation.
- I take my little to her first play. Jack and the Beanstalk.
- Nisreen and Nino get engaged and Nisreen asks me to be one of her bridesmaids.



Sushi making night

September
- I take my certification test and am now certified in clinical research.
- I go to the Domain with Nisreen to study for that test. We go just looking around for her wedding dress and we actually FIND it at St. Thomas.
- I fly to Orlando for work, wishing Alan had gone.
- I take my little to her first UT football game.
- Cindy and I try to learn about football.



So it wouldn’t just be for me why I wanted Alan in Orlando with me. Lookit the golf course!

October
- To my surprise, I’m taken by UT football. Really taken after watching OU game. I thought I had burnt out on football forever, but it’s really quite addicting.
- Alan takes me to see UT/Missouri game.
- Alan had a birthday.
- I dress up as a Hula girl for Halloween.



Kissing Meatwad.

November
- Ran my first 5k with Nisreen, Katambra, and Melissa.
- Jessica has a birthday, so the three of us (Brandi, Jessica, and I) reunite for the fourth time this year. FOUR times. That’s so sad. We go to Pete’s Dueling Pianos with plans to go to ren fest again but Brandi got struck with hives.
- I practically live at work.
- My brother breaks in his apartment by hosting a Thanksgiving meal. He makes his first turkey. Delicious!
- I take my little to the Paramount theatre for the first time. We see The Hungry Caterpillar. Then I have a mini high school reunion.
- I take Thanksgiving week off from work and spend a week in Houston.
- I see fireworks with Kim and kind of Chris.



Nisreen pours everyone a double shot of bourbon at my brother’s Thanksgiving dinner.

December
- I finish paying off my car :) One of my New Year’s Resolutions. I bought in July 2007. Not bad, if I do say so myself.
- I spend Christmas in Houston.
- On the 26th of December, Kim and I for the 2nd time release balloons for New Years. We’re stunned that this time around, we do not have any regrets to write on that regret balloon. Instead, we write what we want to stay away from. Good times with Ms. Kim.
- I get to see my best friend, Mary Ellen. Second time this year. First time being for her wedding in July.
- I go back on Saturday (today) to get some work done and to spend NYE in Austin. With friends and beau.



Our balloons. Purple = wishes. Pink = what we’ll stay away from. Since we didn’t have regrets this year.

It’s been a good year. I read 10 books, ate a lot of Pho, and laughed a lot.

let’s get this out of the way

I just had a short Friday work day. About to drive to Houston and do some last minute reviewing/studying for my certification test. These are things I’m looking forward to this weekend:

- Finishing the test
- Passing the test
- Seeing Mom and Daddy
- Eating Mom’s Bun Rieu
- Bringing back winter clothes
- Get some of my pants hemmed by mom :) She spoils me when I go home.
- Seeing some Houston friends I haven’t seen in a while.
- Coming back to Austin <3

HIIIIIIII!!!!

I had the below email in my inbox just now.

from Brother 9:22 am (1 hour ago)
to Linda date Sep 13, 2007 9:22 AM
subject HIIIII!!!!!!
mailed-by gmail.com

My history class ended early and i was making way to welch where my next class would be. I was also listening to my ipod the entire time. I had to pee so i walked downstairs cuz i imagine it wouldnt be as crowded. I walked in and decided to use the handicapped stall cuz the other ones were used. I kicked the seat up pissed and when done i flushed it with my foot. And backed out cuz my back pack was too big for me to turn around. Then right when i was out, this handicapped guy was in a wheel chair and waiting for me. He was kind of spooky, he had long hair and big glasses. It scared me shitless. Instead of saying “AHHH!!11!11″….i said “HI!!11!!!!!!”. But i think i said it in a high pitched voice. I cant say for sure because i had my ipod on and so i couldnt hear myself. Imagine a stereotypical girly scream and replace that scream with the word “hi”. Im pretty sure thats how it went down. So right now theres an old guy in a wheel chair and another stranger who was pooping in the other stall who heard a high pitched “hi”…

My thoughts are, my brother sometimes cracks me up with his kooky humor and why is the handicap stall so small that you cannot turn around comfortably with a backpack?

My brother is really comfortable with his sexuality

null

Me: Can I post your picture on my blog?

Jesse: Sure, which one?

Me:
The one of you in the dress.

Jesse: It’s not a dress. It’s a muumuu.

Happy Birthday, Daddy :)

I went home for my dad’s birthday this weekend.



Sad that he’s 63.


He imagines himself to be cocky if the digits were switched.