End of the Year

This December went by so fast! I gotta take some time to slow down here a little and leave an ending stamp on this year's final blog. What can I say? I'm truly blessed. I'm blessed with my family & friends and everything else in between. I felt I didn't have enough time to spend with my family this year because of work. I had so much going on this month and didn't have enough time to do everything I needed to do. I finally went back to the dentist and used up my one grand coverage up for this year. That's the only thing that pushed me over the edge this month. I've been medicated with Tylenol 3 which makes me so drowsy. But it was good that I could sleep through the pain. I'm still healing from the procedure. =) All is well now.

I cancelled my birthday plans to go on a Carnival cruise. I was confused if Vinh needed to have a passport to travel on the waters. So, I postponed it to maybe next year for when I turn 27, my Golden Bday. haha. Hopefully by then he get his paperwork done and get his passport. It's also wise that he have it just in case for our honeymoon one day or something. In the end, what he really need to do is get his American Citizenship. (He came over america with his parents when he was 3.) Hehe my honey is an immigrant. Anyways, now my plans are to go to IP casino in Biloxi or just stay in town and have a bday dinner at Drago's. And do it big next year with the cruise. Unless I get married >.< HAHA! Then my plans will really change.

I'm ready for next year. There's much to consider this year. I feel major changes will happen this year. Good or bad change? Well, it will be a change for sure, one or the other... it will happen. Is it too soon for me to say that it'll be a Make it or Break it year? Possibly. But things need to get moving along is what deal is. I know it's quite serious or crazy of me to think this way about my life. BUT Seriously... I'm 26. Yes 26 years old. I'm officially not young anymore (in my book anyways). Big 360 career change? or Big commitment to my personal life? or Depressingly go into therapy for my unchanging life. LOL. Well see, I'm quite hopeful of one thing though. And of course it's looking good. Things been going considerably well. My relationship with Vinh is serious, he's definitely it. <3

Did I mention he got me diamond earrings for Christmas?! **Big Cheezy Smile** I never received anything like this before. That's why I think it's serious. It made my hopes and dreams fly way high. You know the feeling? It's excitement and scary at the same time. But yeah, it surely does feel nice to be spoiled with jewelry. It was a first for me. =) I didn't expected it to be this nice to get real diamond jewelry. It's like "Oh My God! It's serious." and he still opens the door for me. <3 <3 <3

One Year

It's been one year. Towards the anniversary of gma's death. Everyone been dreaming about her. It's kinda scary. I was in Boston when I had a dream about her. I woke up in tears. I hurriedly texted Thao-Vi that morning. Since she's the person I knew would appreciate it most and doesn't mind me waking her up early for. I think in life, no matter where I go or what I do, even in Boston, my gma will always be with me. I feel like she's praying and looking over me.
Today, after I my mom got home from work, I drove both my parents out there to drop off the flowers. I think over the weekend everyone's been visiting her since it's the holiday. There's so many flowers. But Monday, 11/29/10 is her one year anniversary. I wanted to go to church today too, but haven't slept much all day since getting off from work. So I fell asleep until now and missed mass. My parents went though. And at least I went to the cemetery to visit her earlier. I told my dad they spelled stuff wrong. He said the heart is messed up too so they are going to do it all over. I also went to change my oil at 5 minute oil change when I was in Chalmette. My mom and dad had to be with me too since I drove them to the cemetery. And we also stopped by Gulf Coast claims to check on the BP claim status we did three weeks ago.

It was quite a busy Monday for me. I went to walmart right after work to get Head and Shoulders, Neutrogena facial cleansing cloths and Clean & Clear blotting paper. I went to Vinh's right after and took a little nap. We talked mostly. I really miss him. Even though we see each other alot, we don't get to be alone often. I was stinky and dirty from work and couldn't stand smelling like the hospital in bed with him. So I left early from his place. I went to pump gas. My tire pressure warning light recently been going on and off this weekend but I was too busy and tired to really pay attention. So I went to see if there was a flat or whatever. I looked at my tires and saw the tread marks are disappearing. I figured since I just fixed my front and rear bumper, I should just do everything my car needs. So I went to change the tires at Sam's. I ate a Sam's hot dog as I waited. Then played on my phone while sitting in the recliner chairs watching Alvin and Chipmunks on the TV. Haha! $550 bucks gone! =( for four 60,000 miles tire. I wanted to go to change my oil too. But really needed to go home and shower. SO I did that. There's one more thing I'm looking for my car. Brake Pads. My dad said he'll switch it out for me when I buy it. I'm looking online.

It's been a very Busy month too. There's so much I want to write.. IDK where to start. That's usually the case since I want to write about everything but don't blog often in between life happenings huh?! It's too much and I'm lazy, and I been repeating Boston trip to everyone when I got back. So let's just do highlights/random comments.

Got packed! I had to narrow down what I really needed to bring to fit into one carry on suitcase. That was a tough one. It was my first time packing for a trip like this. Now I know. =) I'm ready for airport security.
Boston is so Beautiful. Even when it rained alot.
We struck a little luck when we went shopping. =) I'm happy.
Plus the No Tax, yup! NO TAX on Clothes!
It was a pleasure meeting his family.
We eat alot. I love spending time with his family over meals. It's feel very "family"
We all sit in the living room together at night and pray together. wow!
-I can imagine having my children do that when I have my own family.-
We even partied together -minus the elders. Got drunk and really messed up with them.
Not sure if it was wise to do that with my first impression... =/ but I think it's safe with just his cousins -who all happen to be around my age too.
We ate Hot Pot. Had a house party. Anh Minh's house is a party house.
He made his walls sound proof when he built it and played the music really loud.
He also owns a deli shop meat slicer to cut the steak really thin for hot pot. Felt like I was eating kobe beef that I tried at Horinoya. The taste and experience was awesome.
Ate the best banh xeo ever! I was a satisfied guest of honor. Lobster and Steak in one meal? yes it can happen.
And the best Dim Sum I ever tried! Even the chicken feet was good!
His aunt is a mean cooking machine. She has six adult kids, a husband, a grandchild, and son-in-law to feed. Plus me and Vinh that weekend. We ate wonton noodles, Korean inspired dinner one night, Hu tieu one morning, Banh xeo, and com thit nuong thingie, I forgot the special word for it.
I found out Coffee Cake and hot tea is the greatest yet simple combination to have. Wish I knew sooner.
First time for everything: Going on an Airplane. Riding the Subway. Walking through a Chinatown. Visiting Harvard. (I want to watch that Korean Drama again)
I got a Gucci wallet to match my purse.
Went crazy shopping. I bought over $300 worth of clothes at H&M.
I got me a pair of UGGS! I'm so grateful for them when walking around downtown in the cold rain. =)
Went to four different malls and was told there were other malls I didn't even go to yet. I was amazed at the high-end brands. I felt unfashionable there.
Tried some awesome authentic Chinese food. -OMG! I felt like I was judging for Iron Chef. haha! (New Golden Gate)
Penang (Malaysian Cusine) Minado's (Sushi Buffet)
It was too short of a trip. I will go back there one day again if I can bear through the airplane ride. Did I mention I have motion sickness? I had to take medicine to make it home.

My soul to keep

If there's anything that stays true and constant is my faith. No matter how little, it is still hopeful and still rings resonant on it's own through the years from deep down inside. I've lost my ways many times, even came from the most undeserving places And even felt the dreadful abandonment that my lord Jesus has felt. But he never lost hope and prayed. I can never compare to him. But I live my life as I Do. To the best that I can. No matter how small and pitiful, god loves me. I know that is true. 

End of October

So I have some time to kill before I head out to my brother's place and sign some paper work for him since he's offshore. I'm starting to have itchy fingers to help my brother to sell his house. It's over a year now. Hmmm... Nah. I need him to step up and do something. This is his chance to man up and do something around here. But seriously, I think the Realtor is taking advantage of my brother. They probably taking their sweet time and knows my brother doesn't know any better anyway, but who knows... selling a house isn't easy. So if my brother manages to go through with this process. Pat on the back for him*

So, my check came home to fix my car. I just haven't have time to go drop it off at Hoai's place. I saw him this past weekend and told him about it. BTW, I was right and Vinh was wrong about the process. =) I think I'm going to drop it off next week when I leave to Boston. I'm so excited!!! And also Nervous!! About the trip and my Boards. It's next Tuesday. I've been busy studying! I have a whole weekend of work, but I'll be studying in between rounds too. I been going to the Starbucks at the beginning of Veterans. I went there one night when Barnes was packed with people. It's better that way too, so I won't get distracted from my studies. and the view and atmosphere is nice.

I have so much to write about I don't know where to start. It's been a busy month.

Vinh and I went Painting!! It was so fun I went back the very next day to paint again with my little sister. Now, we've been painting at home. I already bought some supplies to paint at my house. I went to Micheal's and Hobby Lobby to buy painting stuff on sale too! Spent about 50 bucks for everything. Shopping with coupons and looking for deals. Nice! We painted a Hello Kitty already and Yoshi is on our agenda next for a house painting party when we have the chance. But I must say, going to a studio to paint is a must do experience.

This past weekend was Dung's birthday and my sister's baby baptism. Honey had to drive us to Biloxi and back to New Orleans and then Lafayette and back again. sleepless but well worth it. They rented a place for the weekend in the woods by the water for fishing and outdoorsy stuff. While driving there, I was thinking of Friday the 13 stuff, like it was so scary I could just imagine Jason running out from the woods... And it is October and near Halloween too. Ekk! When we first got there, the first thing they do is welcome us with a shot. Let me just say, the time Vinh and I was there, 5 bottles were done. From Hennessy Black and X.O.'s. Not to mention the ones they finished the night before and after we left. We ate some of Dung's famous baked spaghetti. Yummy! We BBQ'd and even had a bon-fire and made smores until it the started to rain. At night, we went out to the Hard Rock and danced and drank some more. Vinh and I left early back to New Orleans though.

We napped and woke to go to Lafayette for my nephew Eddison's Baptism. Vinh and I had to go pick up the pig at Hong Kong that morning for my mom before we head off. I also had a Flour Power cake for them. It was a nice raspberry white cake with fresh fruit and everyone loved it. Much lighter than the chocolate strawberry shortcake I ordered for my workplace last time. It looked real pretty but too overwhelming. Can't wait til Mardi Gras time and try their Banana Foster one. I have one more coupon for it. Anyways, Vinh drove my dad's new Tundra to the church with my parents and I as passengers. Kinda weird but cool too. Our car was stuck all the way inside and couldn't get out. Oh yeah, Vinh asked my parents for permission to take me to Boston. =D it was cute. I think my dad really likes him. He didn't mind that Vinh was driving his new car. He even joked about us not even being married when we were taking a picture with Eddison. It's amazing how Vinh is very comfortable with my family. I hope I can be the same way when I visit his family in Boston.

I have to much to write about... but what I need to do is just live my life.

I want to put the Christmas Tree up early this year. At the end of last year, I bought purple ornaments on sale. It was dirt cheap but so pretty!! I can't wait for a new theme this year. Purple and gold... Or Purple and white, or Purple and silver. Well, it'll have to wait til after Boards and Boston trip.

Fall Trip

Honey booked our tickets to Boston in November!!!! So, I've made quite an agenda for myself next month. I'm going to take my last Boards finally. I made that decision about 2 weeks ago and lately I've been going to study for it. It's actually hitting me that I've reapplied to take it again. Last time I failed the Clinical Simulation by 1 point. Yes, it Sucked! I orginally scheduled it to take it November 12. But I might have to change it to before the trip so I'd really have to buckle down and study for it. SO it'll be anyday before I head out to Boston. I asked my parents already but I need to tell them when I'm going now. >_< My parents are usually very restrcitive of me, But hopefully they'll ease off of me and let me go. I'm a grown 25 year old for goodness sake!
The past two days, while the weather is nice, Vinh and I spent the whole day together. Wednesday morning I went straight home after work to Nap. I woke up around 1 and went to Northwestern Mutual to sign for my policies. It's officially done. Then surprised Vinh and his parents by paying them a visit. It's been awhile since I sat and chill with them. This was when Vinh and I made plans to visit his family in Boston. They've been waiting to meet me and misses Vinh alot. He's been meaning to go visit them for the longest, but things just been coming up. But now is a good time, and just like that, our fall trip is booked. =) Anyways, Vinh wanted to take me out to a dinner date to Crazy Johnnie's Thursday but changed the plans to Wednesday instead. It didn't matter... so we went. Dropped my car at Barnes and he drove to Crazy Johnnie's... The prime rib was wonderful!! It tasted like Vietnamese roasted pig/duck with dipping sauce and the beef literally melted in my mouth. I had it cooked medium. Yummy!! Then we headed off to Barnes to study with my little sister. (He's preparing for the Boards too.) Unfortunately, it was full there so we went to Puccinno's instead. I'm blessed to be so happy in love. He opens the door for me still... *sigh* I love it when he drives!! Tien gets off work 11:30pm so he took me back to pick up my car and I went to the gym with Tien. I deem it was a productive day! knocked out til noon the next day. Thursday, we took my car to his friend Body shop to check out the damages and see if he can fix it when the insurance people contact me. They still haven't yet. I'll call them later. Turns out to be a good deal. And Tien told me about him too... Why didn't I just fix it?!
Anyways, Vinh and I was debating about the whole insurance adjustment process and what's the best thing to do right now. It was a steamed long debate. We were in his car in front of Lynn and Co. for a good 20 minutes before we walked in because of our convo. We'll just see how it'll all play out about my car in the next few weeks. ^_~ I know I'm right. Hopefully. Ha! Agenda today was to go Hoai's place, get estimate, swing by to get his hair cut, have dinner, go study, and gym again. As I was waiting for Vinh to get his haircut, I noticed it was slow today so I asked if it was okay for me to dry trim and re-layer my hair. Just to get rid of dead ends. Turned out to be a much more productive day with Vinh than I planned. We enjoyed the COmpany and conversation while getting our haircuts. Thao cut Vinh hair while Van did mines. We were all talking and chilling when I found out that Van lives near me and I know her little sisters. We talked about eyebrow tinting and Van's cars in front of her house. Laughed alot! Quite enjoyable until we were all done and was hungry. We were driving off and saw Lotus. So we just decided to go across the street and try it. It's the new Lotus sushi bar and lounge? Looked like a night scene kinda place. Not bad, but not to die for. His buddy worked there so it was a nice mellow dinner. Plus, we were the only ones there. Haha! It was around 5:30pm when we had dinner. Vinh noticed my gas was going low so he pumped gas for me too. *I LOVE IT WHEN HE DRIVES FOR ME* he notices everything. Then we dropped by his place again so he can shower. He has this thing about the little hairs making him itchy after a haircut. I stayed and chit chatted with him mom. She still pressing on the engagement/wedding stuff. >.<' I'm really speechless of how to answer her or approach it to Vinh (It's up to him really... put a ring on it babe!!)
Then we head off to Puccinno's and studied until Gym time again. He had his half tea/ half lemonade and I, a frozen puccino that I let melt and slowly sip on. and yes we do actually study!! I sit inside with the computer while he sits outside. And when it gets too cold inside I shut off my compter and go outside and read notes. It was lovely sitting outside with him. =) I can really see us, just be like us there years from now, instead of notes we'd read reading books/magazines. And still listening on our iPods and playing words with friends. *lovely sigh* Those are my fantasies these days. Anyways, I had alot done these past two days plus QT time with Vinh.

*edit: I called Insurance for update about my claim. They said it takes 2 weeks up to 2 months, especially New Orleans to send an electronic copy of police report. IDK WHY?!! So I just got back from traffic court and paid 20 bucks for a copy and faxed it to State Farm. and the waiting continues... I'm going to sleep for work at night. *