Driver's in China

Watching these people driving so slow at the driving school is hilarious: Link to CNN article.

Dreamgirls

We went to go see Dreamgirls tonight! I heard all about the nominations, but was mostly excited to see Jennifer Hudson, since I was really mad when she got kicked off of American Idol and I know she can sing. I'm not a huge fan of musicals, but with the Motown/soul music and the great story, I really loved it. Wei Yan thought some of the sequences where they are singing dialogue were a little weird, and some of the scenes with Eddie Murphy made me laugh cuz they had just a little too much resemblance to the "Sexual Chocolate" scenes in Coming to America. So, in terms of story telling, I think it's one of the best movies I've seen in a long time.

New Year's resolutions!

didn't think much about new year's resolutions this year. I think it might just end up being to work on all the stuff I started before the end of last year, or didn't, but wanted to. mainly exercising and organizing/decorating the house. today after work, finally went to pilates for the first time this year. it was a good session, but I think I can now admit to hurting my left shoulder somehow. guess my body figured it was at least the same year as my 30th birthday, and me falling apart can't wait until the actual day.

so come home & wei yan has cooked me orange chicken from Trader Joe's. I surfed for shoulder injury prevention/treatment info on the web after dinner while we watch the class & how I met your mother. I try out some stretches and exercises and things feel better. after the end of 24 & heroes, I'm off to do some cardio on the elliptical. 25min later I'm feeling quite accomplished.

and I even vacuumed the floor of my bathroom & closet!

Wei Yan actually booked our trip to Hong Kong while I was vacuuming upstairs. So we are off to Hong Kong from Feb 9-20th! Now, he just has to get his passport renewed.

Death of the Zojirushi Air pot

I've had my air pot unplugged for a few weeks. I noticed some black flecks in the water & unplugged it. Today I finally busted out the steel wool and CLR - hoping to clean up a bit of rust or hard water build up, but after 20 minutes I deem the airpot unsafe and beyond repair. I tried, but it was in vain. Alice gave me that air pot when she left to NYC. This all happened a while ago and with a little work it was back to new. I thought about getting a new one back then, but then I discovered that they are really stinkin' expensive. Maybe we'll be able to find a cheap one in Hong Kong. That airpot had a long & useful life and will be missed...until I get used to the reclaimed counter space that is.

Michael & Judie's NC wedding reception

So after an anti-climactic 3rd place finish on Friday night, we slept in until about 12:30pm on Saturday. After lunch & a few chores, we headed off to Michael & Judie's NC wedding reception. We of course are running late, and when I get there, there are 2 ayi's (aunties) who are manning the greeting table. Embarrassed that I'm so late, I hand one of the aunties the box I made for all the cards, proceed to put my stuff down and then try to figure out what to do. One of the aunties is fluent in english, mandarin & cantonese (she did a fair amount of translating sermons at RCCC) and she knows practically everyone at the reception....so I doubt there is any benefit to running her off after showing up late. Before I can think too long, Nancy arrives and sits down. I join them and try to help with what I can, directing folks to their tables and getting the guys to transport gifts when they pile up.

Michael & Judie had a few new pictures in their slide show. We get to see a ton of folks we haven't seen in forever. We sit at the same table as the Lenfestey's and the Fan's and with all the kids, our corner of the room turns into a play room. The kids were all fairly quite, until the balloon start floating up to the hot lights & popping. One of the toddlers catches onto the clinking of the glasses. Very cute....but Michael & Judie probably couldn't appreciate it much.

After we help clean up a bit & help Dan with loading his car, we head home to watch the UNC game on DVR. All the folks with kids were outta there by 8:30-8:45pm and probably got to watch the game live, but it wasn't bad. We just hope we don't get a call or text from someone to spoil the game. Game was awesome, Carolina played really well and GT didn't seem to have a chance. Spurts of greatness...some very talented kids on their team, but just not enough. Felt bad for who ever it was on GT team that wasn't looking & got nailed in the head with a bullet pass. Pretty embarassing turnover...and there is footage of your coach all but laughing at you.

Madison and the Fern

My parents have a basset hound named Madison. Her previous owners kept her in a crate all day and she would howel all day, so they were planning on sending her to the pound rather than get evicted. My parents gave her a home and she is obsessed with their fern. She likes walking under it and letting the leaves "pet" her. Growing up, I saw my dogs do really stupid things, like chase their tail, bark at the wind, etc. But, I never saw anything like this:

Dec 2006 Cali Trip

Finally!

Yes, finally I am posting. I've been really sick. I'm hoping that today is the day I finally get through a day without a coughing fit. I've been sick for a little over 2 weeks and trying to take it easy. When I got back from LA, I went back to work right away and tried to do a little too much - and then I was back to super sick again. Cough syrup with codeine is my friend. The $35 co-pay is not, so I'm hoping to shake it before I need a refill.

Well, in LA, we were busy with my friend's wedding before Christimas. A few pictures are here:

Michael & Judie's Wedding

Then there was Christmas, getting together with friends, and then I was sick in LA for the last few days & New Year's.

Oh, and for the LA casino's I'm finally up overall for a trip - I usually don't do so well since most players perseive that I'm a tight player and never pay me off. I didn't play as tight as I usually do, and folks folding to me just built up a lot of curiosity to what I was playing since they didn't get to see what I was playing most of the time. Not up much, but I will totally take a positive. Gotta start somewhere.