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!