Blergh

Recently, I keep bumping into people I haven't seen in a while and they all ask me waht's going on with my life and I go, "Work. Busy. Lots of work." Is that really all that's happening? I guess there's more. Dance. Lots of dance. I took my last Thursday night hip hop class for the summer, since the summer hours won't permit me to get to Eddie's class anymore.

Otherwise, what's been going on? Hmm...Went home for Memorial Day weekend. We had a barbecue, hung out with my cousins Jonathan and Ling. They grow up so fast. Jonathan's already going to college. It seems like not too long ago he was just starting high school, and before that, he was just an annoying little toddler. We played Settlers of Catan, which I discovered is only winnable when Eric and Sylvia aren't there. They're just too good.

Axel introduced me to a bunch of his friends at a big barbecue on Memorial Day. We had white wine, prosecco, and grilled prawns. I got a little sick so I left early, but I heard they partied till 2am or so. It seems that now I've met all the friends, the floodgates are open and it's not, "Let's go out to dinner" anymore so much as "Let's go out to dinner with my buddies." So far so good.

Axel was pissed last night because there's a gay man at the network he works for that runs equipment who has a crush on him and makes his life extra difficult because he refuses to be anything but heterosexual. Yuri doesn't help because he tells said gay man that the two of them get it on together all the time. I remain amused.

I will teach my children never to apologize until they really understand what they are apologizing for.

I will teach my children never to take anything for granted or for face value.

I will teach my children to view a dilemma from all sides and accept and understand, rather than judge.

Fat

I like how just now, I was sitting all slumped on the couch and mom comes over and says the Chinese equivalent of, "Gee, Angela. Fat much?"

Thanks, Mom.

Random

Today was pleasantly empty on the train. Marlen and I made conversation as usual even though she looked ready to pass out and Michael stared blankly into the distance. Methinks he wasn't awake yet and was meditating his way into work. This is what I hope anyway.

Last night, Marlen's fun friend Kelly (maybe I will call her "fun friend" from now on) came over. We all had pizza and merlot, and I made mango sticky rice for dessert. Super easy to make. We sang to musicals and danced to Lady Gaga in the kitchen and then read tarot cards. Marlen gave me a really accurate reading, I think. It's nice when I don't even ask the question out loud and still she knew exactly what I was thinking. Maybe it's magic. Maybe she just knows me really really well. I could go with either explanation.

O yes, last Saturday Marlen, Michael and I threw a little dinner party. I think it could be considered our housewarming. Mark, Axel and Andy (friend of Michael) came and we had a mango themed dinner. Prosciutto, brie and mango for appetizers, duck and mango sauce for dinner and thai mango sticky rice for dessert. It was overall a success. Axel had to leave early because of another business trip, sadly. The evening was overall a success. Axel, of course, said the mango sticky rice was the best part. I'm not sure if I believe him, since this what guys say to the girls they're dating.

This weekend is Mother's Day. I'm going to go buy Mom a cheesecake from Vinieros since it's the most light and delicious one I've ever tasted in my entire life. Hopefully I'll be able to take it to the train and not destroy it in the process. No pressure! We have reservations for a nice gourmet French restaurant called Ondine on Sunday. Mom will be using the $100 gift card that she got from my office for some translation services she provided. I think this is the fanciest Mother's Day we have every had. Hope it goes well.