Wrapping Up The Year in Chicago!

It's late December and no sign of snow. In some ways I am glad because it means that it isn't crazy cold yet. On the other hand, I guess I won't experience a white Christmas here in the city like I did four years ago. Even so, it's been pretty memorable as I count down the days till I leave for China and Myanmar. Instead of packing, I am procrastinating. I hung out with Tony and checked out Bow Truss and the new Thai place next to it. Then I watched a Korean movie. Now, I am blogging. On the bright side, I did tidy up my floor and vacuumed. My tables are a mess now. It's funny how messes just move from one location to another.

WHITE ELEPHANT PARTY AT A FRIEND'S

I brought a book for the white elephant gift exchange and I guess I felt pretty bad that almost everyone there thought a book was a crappy item. I heard a lot of people say things like "I don't read!" It's too bad! I guess next time, I'll contribute something that does not involve reading and now I can gauge what people would consider a cool or a tacky gift. On the bright side, I got to solo construct this gingerbread house. I didn't finish it, but it looks pretty good from a particular angle. I call it a model example of what happens to architectural projects that get abandoned after they lose funding thanks to the economy!

Not as easy as it looks people!

Did not decorate two of the four walls.

BARNES AND NOBLE GIFT WRAPPING FOR PROJECT VISION

Stella invited Wan Yee and I to gift wrap books at Barnes and Noble after work. It was then that I realized I never really wrapped presents before! Either my mommy did it for me or I used tissue paper, gift bags, cellophane, or fancy boxes! I was worried we weren't going to get to wrap many books this year but we did! Also, Stella spotted Vince Vaughn. Unfortunately, I didn't even catch a glimpse of his backside as he walked past us.

Pretending to wrap books for the camera! So natural it fooled you!

 STELLA'S BELATED BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

Stella was gone for a couple of weeks, so it felt like the city moved at a slower pace. On her return, we decided  to get together with a group of her friends to celebrate her birthday! She loved Noel's earrings!

The dessert of the month for December served it's purpose as a substitute for cake for Stella's birthday!

 A SAVORY EGG PIE?! BUTTERNUT SQUASH GORGONZOLA CHEESE SAGE QUICHE

I thought I would bring this to another friend's Christmas Eve party, but after trying it, I didn't think it would be appealing to other people. My coworkers seemed to like it so much that they asked for the recipe though. It wasn't that the quiche came out wrong, it was more the fact that I didn't like the cheese and in general quiche tarts. I thought the butternut squash would change things, but it does not. Sorry quiche, only Chinese egg custard tarts are acceptable for me.

Roasted butternut squash quiche. I am now 100% sure I don't like savory egg pies.

FOOD!!!

There is never a time, where people don't like looking at pictures of food.

Baked butternut squash and bacon with sausage! Why have one when you can have both!

The lumpy things are tomatoes. I saw Stella do it once and liked the idea.

Noodles... not much more I can say about it.

Deliciousness on a disposable plate!

Mohinga

So, before I left SF, I made a request to have burmese catfish noodle soup as my last meal with my friends!
I think I can make it on my own now so it will be interesting to try out. It is an extremely hearty meal because it is a bean based soup.

Showing off some Mohinga!

That's how good it is!

It puts a smile on everyone's face!

Cause It's Always A Good Time~!

Back in the month of October, I had a strange dream that I returned to San Francisco to see my family and friends like I usually do during the year, only to learn that something terrible was going to happen. My siblings were all sitting at the kitchen table, while my parents informed me last that they had sold the house in San Francisco and are moving out of the Bay Area to some place like Sacramento. Devastated and uneasy about that decision, I went to my siblings and asked why no one stopped them. My siblings all looked at me and said, "No one wants to move back home."

The feelings I felt in that dream stuck with me the next day and moved me to purchase a plane ticket homeward bound to San Francisco as a reality check that I still have a home there. This dream reminded me about how important San Francisco is to me. It is where I grew up with my siblings, made my first friends, and spent most of my whole life in the 27 years I have been alive. Losing the house in San Francisco wasn't just the loss of living in a great city, it felt like I would lose a big part of my identity and roots.

In some ways, I think the instability of my situation in Chicago triggered a lot of my recent thoughts of San Francisco. Four years ago, this organization was my dream engineering job. I used to wonder if I would ever make it back here and when I did, I thought this place could be home for me. Now that things are different, and the outlook for science in the organization isn't so great, I wonder if I should be on the hunt for the next job again. Would I want to try and find something to stay in Chicago?

After thinking about it the last couple of months, I decided that I would see this position to the end. And that when the end comes, I would just return to San Francisco. This plan might be a terrible one to most people, but I find that the end here would not leave me devastated and lost. If I return home, I would be reunited with my friends from middle school and high school, I would use the time off as an opportunity to focus solely on my art for a while, and figure out what the next move is before I go back out there in the world. For that, I am thankful to my parents, for giving me a place to return to when things end or don't work out. I know the last couple of paragraphs are all over the place, but all those thoughts are interconnected in a way I can't truly express in words. Anyways, on to PICTURES!

My dad likes his rabbit mug!

Cutting the KFC TURKEY.... as my mom cleans in the background....

KARAOKE!

SO FUN!

Enjoy Vegetarian!

From the sea to the sky in the sunset!

The climb...

to the hilltop!

 

Shadows in the night...

ILLUMINATED by flash!

Look this way!

This could be a book cover :)

Or this one :)

Because we have super powers!

See!

HADOUKEN! Hardcore cliff battles!

Making up after the fight.

Ice skating with Sophia!

Color boxes!

VICTORY!

Birthday Highlights :)

Rich got us light up ribbons during the Magnificent Mile Holiday Lighting

Cutting a decadent chocolate cake made by Stella!

Ping Jing wanted me to know that I look super serious sometimes.

Modeling with my mugs :) You get free breakfast when you do!

Finished cooking! Thank you chef!

I contributed the noodles!

Need a haircut...

FOOD!

Holy crap I need to clean my place up!

The 5 Languages of LOVE!

So while I was reading a Point of View piece about letting the US go bankrupt or not and some review about James Bond SkyFall, I came across this link called the 5 languages of love. Curious to know what it was, I clicked the link and a set of 30 questions was presented to me. I found it rather insightful and entertaining so it was a pretty good thing to stumble upon.

Now these quizzes are only fun if you can get other people to take them too and share their results. Now, people will talk about it for a week. Some more memorable quotes:

Anthony:  hola

 Sent at 8:31 PM on Monday

 me:  hello mister

 Anthony:  lol

what do you think about my dumplings?

 Sent at 8:32 PM on Monday

 me:  lol

you want words of affirmation

HAHA

 -----------------------
me:  man still procrastinating

 Pingjing:  it's human nature

I am doing the same

reading your blog and online shopping for my friends

 Sent at 8:38 PM on Monday

 me:  LOL!

no you're doing something for someone

haha

act of service!

you're so great

 Pingjing:  haha, words of affirmation

 me:  HAHA

--------------------------me: i don't need a mug

  i got plenty now

  hahhaha

 stella: hahahhaha

  :)

  cool

  so you would drink thet's :)

 me: you really like bambi huh

 stella: i collect them..so i was soooo mad i missed out a year :(

 me: sure

 stella: i wonder when is a good year to stop

  hahhahhaha

 me: i am doing an act of service

  HAHAHA

12:21 PM stella: HAHHAHAHAHAH  

If you happen to be curious to find out your own stats, I would be doing an act of service providing such a link to you! CLICK HERE!

• Words of Affirmation

  Actions don’t always speak louder than words. If this is your love language, unsolicited compliments mean the world to you. Hearing the words, “I love you,” are important—hearing the reasons behind that love sends your spirits skyward. Insults can leave you shattered and are not easily forgotten.

• Quality Time

  In the vernacular of Quality Time, nothing says, “I love you,” like full, undivided attention. Being there for this type of person is critical, but really being there—with the TV off, fork and knife down, and all chores and tasks on standby—makes your significant other feel truly special and loved. Distractions, postponed dates, or the failure to listen can be especially hurtful.

• Receiving Gifts

  Don’t mistake this love language for materialism; the receiver of gifts thrives on the love, thoughtfulness, and effort behind the gift. If you speak this language, the perfect gift or gesture shows that you are known, you are cared for, and you are prized above whatever was sacrificed to bring the gift to you. A missed birthday, anniversary, or a hasty, thoughtless gift would be disastrous—so would the absence of everyday gestures.

• Acts of Service

  Can vacuuming the floors really be an expression of love? Absolutely! Anything you do to ease the burden of responsibilities weighing on an “Acts of Service” person will speak volumes. The words he or she most want to hear: “Let me do that for you.” Laziness, broken commitments, and making more work for them tell speakers of this language their feelings don’t matter.

• Physical Touch

  This language isn’t all about the bedroom. A person whose primary language is Physical Touch is, not surprisingly, very touchy. Hugs, pats on the back, holding hands, and thoughtful touches on the arm, shoulder, or face—they can all be ways to show excitement, concern, care, and love. Physical presence and accessibility are crucial, while neglect or abuse can be unforgivable and destructive.

MUG SHOTS BABY!!!

So, for the last couple of months I have been working on my second job outside of work and this is the end result of what I have completed so far. ADORABLE MUGS for my friends and family to drink from! The best part is the fact that this is a decent paid gig with the potential for my designs to become stuffed animals. I am jumping the gun right now, but I am hoping this software becomes a success. Through the process I think I learned who my target audience ought to be! CHILDREN! I am an expert at cute :)

Right now I have been asked to animate the characters and although I haven't really done much of it in the past, that was always my dream. Right now I am making a dream cheat by giving my art away to people. I hope these mugs are favored over other mugs in various homes when my friends and family make their cup of tea or coffee. Hopefully staring at something cute and happy will make someone feel happy too. That is my wish!

I had to inspect and stack them :)

Was a little afraid it might topple over.

:)

:D

SO PRETTY!

That's how happy I am with my mugs!

All I got in this shot with the pig's butt :(

Happy PUFFER FISH!

I am going to drink from this soon!