First Xmas Gift to Sleepy

When you love someone, you want them to have nothing but the best. Because we love Sleepy, I want him to have the best bagpack in the whole world and here it is, a burnt red backpack from REI. I would love this if I were a dog myself, so here you go Sleepy - Merry Christmas!

Dear Mah-Mah

You have been and always will be loved by all who knew you. We miss you and know you are warm and happy wherever you are. You will be remembered by your smile, kindness and strength. Your sense of humor and good nature will be an inspiration to all of us.

love always and good memories of you will live in our hearts forever,

Judy

Charlie brown Xmas party

Being a host at a party could be a daunting task. You need to make it fun for your guests and also try to have fun with your guests, and at the same time, need to make sure things are orderly and there is enough food to go around. Since we had our party started at 9:30pm, people were actually ontime and ready to mingle. Our white elephant game was the longest game I've ever been in because there were 17 gifts to go around. There were so much desserts to go around and I was so happy to see there was none left the next day. Honestly, food is the best entertainer - people are naturally drawn to it and it keeps people busy - eating.

10 days before Christmas

10 more days until Christmas....so sad. It feels like the time when our wedding was around the corner and you just dont want it to come and leave so soon. I read a quote today that says you can delay, but time doesnt. You can only move forward, not backwards with time. So I have been thinking about what I need to work on next year and there's always too many things on the list. But right now, I still need to think about what to get for christmas and it's not very constructive when everytime I shop, I end up shopping for myself. Not very healthy.

the gift of giving

There's really nothing more rewarding than giving a gift and seeing the smiles that come with it. I really tried to plan early this year and it's not working out very well. There are always more people to add to the list and then it takes so much thought to find the right gift - which I have found a solution to. I have three things in my mind to choose from as a gift for one person, and they are all nice, and I know she will absolutely love it as much as I do. In this situation, the right and easy thing to do is - buy it all and give it all!

Whoever says shopping can't buy happiness doesnt know how to shop. Even Sleepy knows that. Shopping for the last 3 weeks has been exhilarating - sales and sales and more sales! It's kind of hard to shop for others when the easy way out is buying things you know you will love. I bought this bag from nordstrom rack last week and it's sitting in the bag, untouched. I am still contemplating if I will ever ever use it. Nordstrom rack is also opening up at 8am for something special coming in - i can't wait =P.

So far, the shopping is still not over yet. There are so many things to buy - corporate gifts, co-workers gifts, family gifts, gifts for friends and then the gift for my husband! We have almost been receiving a delivery every day at our door and today is no exception. It was a pretty big sized box. I am expecting certain things coming in but I really dont know what is hiding inside in this one box. I looked at the name on the box which is addressed to me, and I looked at the sender and I know it's not really for me. This is from forever 21!!!!! Just for the record, I really don't shop there, for various reasons, and even if I do, I dont think I can find enough things there to fill up this one box.

nevertheless, i took this box in and placed it under our wonderful christmas tree. It will be re-delivered tomorrow.

just the two of us

It's just me and sleepy here tonight. I know he smells somebody is missing, that's why he's been bugging me to play with him so I dont feel that lonely. Silly poo.

He's the world's greatest companion.

O Christmas Tree

When we bought our house, there is a high ceiling by the foyer and we both looked at each other and thought of one thing - that's where the Christmas tree is going to be. This spot is made for it.

We purchased our house on Nov 2008. The house was still in the middle of renovation in Dec 2008, so the though of spending Christmas here with the paint smell didnt sound very appealing.

In Dec 2009, we were gone 2/4 weeks of the month for our honeymoon, so there was really no point of decorating and buying a tree.

On Dec 3, 2010, our first Noble Fir arrived. We handpicked it at Home Depot (which outbeat all other Christmas tree lots around) and brought it home. The tree stood at 6.5'-7' high and it's quietly standing still in our backyard. It's getting hydrated before it is ready for the master makeover.

Everytime Sleepy goes to th e back, he's been sniffing around it and wondering - what in the world is this gigantic tree doing here from Washington!

Nov 21, 2010 @ Providence

We were lucky enough to get a dinner reservation on our anniversary at the Providence, considering Scott called 2 weeks in advance! This is probably my first michelin starred restaurant in LA for me and they damn well deserved the recognition. The dining experience was OUT OF THIS WORLD. Perfect company, great night, outstanding staff, and the food sings to you - what more can you ask for.

Merci Beaucoup

This is a makeup post for thanksgiving.

It's near the end of 2010 and time for an annual review - which will require some time to compile.

We spent this year's thanksgiving at my in-laws house and I invited michelle auntie, jodie and bryan to join the dinner at the Tangs. We had stuffed (chicken), shrimp, garlic bread, ribs, ham and mashed potatoes.

Here are some things I am particularly grateful for this year:

For Sleepy, a wise man who lives inside a brown hairy dog.

For family and friends, who are still lingering around in our lives and bringing us joy and life.

For music, that lifts me up when I am down and sets the right mood everytime.

For work, I am so thankful that we are both employed and making timely payments on our bills.

For love.

Happy One Year Anniversary

Dear HB,

Happy Anniversary. I am the happiest everyday for the past 12 months, all because of you. Here's to our 13 years of love and 1 year of marriage. Cheers and cling!

Judy

My Birthday in the winter

My birthday lands on usually during the hottest time of the year - but not this year. I slept through my birthday on the Qantas Airbus A380 and arrived in Sydney on Friday Aug 27 with a chilly greeting. Friday was a full day of meeting. Saturday was where my aussie life began. This was my 4th visit and each time I go visit, it always feels like it is the first time because there is so much to see and so many new things to eat!

From Mie Goreng to Stinky Tofu

Promises are meant to be kept. Even though, after running a business for 2 years now, there is one thing I have learned. A majority of the people out there in the working world is- full of crap. People are misleading and say things that are completely meaningless with no purpose. I have learned to deal with these crap-filled people and have learned not to be one of them.

A year ago, when Scott said Sandy will be getting married - my immediate reaction was, we are going to Indonesia! We just came back from their wedding and crashed their honeymoon in Bali and made a brief stopover in Taipei. It was not the most relaxing trip and it could hardly compared to our ultimate honeymoon trip =P, but being a part of the wedding is a sentiment in it of itself. The joy and appreciation we received from the trip was priceless. There are some moments that are meant to be celebrated and not to be missed.

Happy 30th Birthday

From Bali to Jakarta to Taipei to LAX - and how did we end up in Vegas! Wrapping up the vacation in Vegas for another celebration - Scott's 30th Birthday!

The thing that makes Vegas so special is that, this place makes you look special, the surrounding background, the people, makes you look like you are part of something rich and big. It's a step up from reality - and it really is a nice escape.

Cheers to his next 10 years in the 30s. Lovely!

Happy July 4th - From Napa Valley

Everytime you drink wine, you become and learn something different. Be it, you have to sniff the wine a little longer, twirl the glass a little smoother, pair with a different kind of cheese and crackers to bring a new taste on your buds, you also become a little snobbier - dont you!?

For the amount of wine we have drank - not saying that we are heavy wine drinkers, but we have the luxury to taste some antique wines and we have not been to Napa. So the Napa trip, is one of those trips where we hear people talk about it and we just nod and say to ourselves - we gotta go. It was a last minute trip - booked the ticket the week before July 4th and we flew into Oakland and drove up to Napa Valley. We made 5 stops and did 3 wine tastings. The drive through the wine valleys was fantastic. A mass of vinyard stretches in front of you in every direction you look. We made plans to stop and dine in Yountville where we ate next to the French Laundry =P, but still ate at a notable restaurant - Bistro Jaunty - loved the coq au vin with egg noodles and grilled sardines.

The next day we drove back to SF and stayed in the heart of Japantown. We took the bus to Fisherman's wharf and watched the fireworks at the pier on the grass. As with all public events, the departure is always chaotic, so instead of waiting for the bus, we walked back with the crowd, and I am glad he wasnt complaining because I am the one who much prefers to walk.

Finally married

we are married.

2 months and 20 days. It's been more than wonderful. Since July 09 (my last post here), you cannot imagine how much happened in our lives. A lot planning, finalizing, preparing and containing the excitment. It's been a long hike to the peak, and the view from above is quite extravagant.

We had our Halloween Wedding Shower which all the attendees dressed up in costumes. That went surprisingly well because everyone came dressed up in very creative and unique costumes. We had vampires, beer girl, pirates, zombies, sadies dance-goers, police, and me - a vampire victim. We made soft tacos and ordered chicken wings from May's Cajun Cafe - it was so good. My sister hosted 3 wedding games and we finally had to kick the last person out at 3am because they just didnt want to leave!!

Then, we had our bachelor/bachlorette party the weekend before our wedding. My cousin came from Australia and I think we gave her a pretty memorable time in vegas. The girls started off at the best sandwich place in vegas and had the longest sub ever and ended with a lovely lunch at my favorite restaurant - Mon Amie Gabi!

The week leading up to the wedding was just like any other week really. Lots of stuff coming together and I couldnt be more ready. As for the wedding day - our pictures shall speak for themselves.

here is link to our album: www.joewuphoto.com/album/2009/1121

a week after our wedding, we headed to one of the best vacations of our lives - our HONEYMOON. When I think of our honeymoon, images of our hideaway at Yao Noi, the sound of the wind whistling in my ear, the search for my favorite thai food on our bikes, the exquisite hotel decor, the six sense, Hokkaido, the bears catching and eating my apples, the raw crabs, kobe beef, wagyu beef, shopping, ramen, the hot springs and most of all, making all these memories with my husband. It was truly an action-packed trip and I dont care what anyone says, but it is a premium class vacation. Thailand and Japan are my favorite countries in this world - marvelous landscapes, best foods, and rich culture. I am the happiest there!

It was a 2 weeks vacation and it was time to go home for Sleepy!! We came back in time for Christmas and New Years and now we are moving toward Chinese New Year and Valentines Day. Things are going well, we are both occupied with work, spending time with each other and building something bigger in our lives......and trying to save up for our next dream vacation!!!