The End

Cherishing...

• weekly play dates with my beautiful niece.
• long evening walks with my parents.
• morning kisses for my brother.
  

Driving...

• along PCH.
• to Manhattan Beach to rollerblade.
• to the Malibu Hills for a hike.
• to West LA to meet up with old friends.

Enjoying...

• Dduk bo ssam in Koreatown.
• In-n-Out burgers.
• Ghettofabulous Mexican food.
• Pinkberry to my heart's content.
  

That's right folks. My life's DC chapter has concluded. I moved back home to LA.

Change is in the air

DC summers will forever be remembered by all the great rooftop parties in and around the city. Panoramic views of the monuments, the Capitol glittering in the background, wine and caprioska in hand, engaging conversations, and young professionals striving to make an impact. DC at its best.

But of course, every now and then, I like to hit up the dance floor with my ladies. With friends that are wickedly smart, accomplished, knee-slapping funny, gorgeous, and down-to-earth, we are our own traveling partay! Guys, get in line.

Wedding Bonanza

Its been a whirlwind of trips and events recently….



Headed up to NYC for an extended weekend for a high school friend’s bachelorette bash, rehearsal dinner, and wedding…..whew! Never will I attempt to do all three in one weekend- felt like the Energizer Bunny and then crashed when I returned to D.C.



The following weekend, I flew Virgin America (it rocks!) to LA for my Kayden’s “dol” celebration and another wedding. She’s already making baby talk! Couldn’t get enough of her highness….

The first of the next generation of my family came into this world last month to the joys and adoration of all who love her. A mother’s love is not mine to experience yet. But I would argue that the love of an aunt finishes a close second (maybe third after the father).

I can’t wait to take her to the beach to chase waves back and forth.
The library to read her books.
The local park to push her on the swings.
And so much more.

She is and forever will be fiercely loved.

Good girlfriends are true blessings

This past weekend, I hosted a much-deserved girls weekend. After hitting up a party, my girlfriends and I crawled into our PJs and sipped on hot tea while getting caught up with each other’s lives and issues close to the heart.

We talked about the difficulties of career management; the frustration of corporate politics; the discrimination we face as Asian females; the pursuit of personal goals; the impact of our faith on our career choices and relationships; the recent decline of the US economy fueled by the housing market; the upcoming presidential elections; personal finance management; the dearth of real men that seek an equal partner; and in general making a difference in our lives.

Cashmere Mafia, Lipstick Jungle, and Sex in the City are caricatures and have nothing on us =)

I still feel like I’m 25. Despite this, I wonder if I can be with a younger guy as some of my friends have dated and married younger men. Although I must sheepishly admit that its flattering to be hit on by 25 year olds.

The only man in the whole world who can call me a "hama"

2008, Bring it on!

I heart NYC

My trip to NYC last weekend was no different than my previous ones. It was a whirlwind of culinary experiences, where I found myself criss-crossing the city. And of course kudos to my NYC friends that ALWAYS find time to hang out and accommodate my crazy itineraries. They rock.

Friday night

After six (yes, 6!) hours of sitting cramped on a bus, I was finally able to stretch my legs and it felt so good. Good enough that my friend and I rocked the white-lit dance floor at the Hudson Hotel bar to Kanye, Rihanna, and Chris Brown. Loved the music here.

Saturday

During brunch, I fell in love with the strawberry butter that was served with our amazing bread. Brunch reminded me yet again why DC’s food scene sucks. Later in the afternoon, I headed to the Lincoln Center where I was able to regress into a little girl and watch amazed as the Nutcracker performance unfolded before me. Note to self: The Sugar Plum Fairy would be a great costume idea for Halloween.

It was a really tough decision to choose a post-performance sweets destination but Payard Patisserie and Bistro beat out the competition. And I must say that I have impeccable taste because the croque-monsieur, peach tart, mango meringue, and of course the hot chocolates were divine!

Finally, finally(!) I can say that I have tried the fried chicken at Bon Chon… and it was as good as everyone raved it to be, I must admit. I especially loved the soy version over the spicy. Don’t know what their secret is but I ate their chicken- skin and all – without leaving my usual “leftovers”. And that my friends, is the highest sign of compliment that I offer to fried chicken. And of course where else would I head for dessert? Pinkberry’s, baby, Pinkberry’s.

Sunday

To top off my NYC trip, I was intent on getting my xiaolongbao fix at Shanghai Café in Chinatown. And so with a bit of schedule finagling, I was able to feed my dumpling addiction by squeezing it in between service at Redeemer and my train departure (after my tortuous bus ride up, I booked an over-priced Amtrak ticket down). Nothing beats hot soupy dumplings on a December wintry afternoon.

What makes you hungry for God?

Those times when…
… your heart aches for its creator, despite what you believe or don’t believe.
… your soul rejects the fleeting and temporal offerings of this world and instead seeks peace that is secure and timeless.
… your mind is not convicted of its own conclusions.

For me, what makes and keeps me hungry for God is…
… God’s love as evidenced through His creation around us, my life journey so far, and above all else, the Cross of Christ.
… my own sinfulness which is a constant reminder of my utter dependence on God.
… my family that serves as an earthly reminder and inspiration to live a life that honors “soli deo gloria (to God alone be glory)”.

Interestingly enough, I was asked this question by a guy on a first date.

Are you single? Are you gay? Do you work?

I wish I had known about this when I was studying for the SATs and GRE... improve your vocabulary while simultaneously helping to feed the poor through the UN World Food Program (click on the graphic to the left).

The annual countdown has begun... less than a month before I head home to LA for Christmas and New Year's!

In the meantime, my girlfriends and I decided over happy hour tonight to finally start on our future bestseller book on dating in the 21st century. Blind date set-ups, online dating, speed dating events, being picked up at bars... you name it, we've got stories (plural) to share. Laugh out loud, knee-slapping, can't breath type of funny stories. Makes me wonder if my girlfriends and I dated all the crazies and loonies that DC has to offer. I would bet money on it. Soon to be hitting a Barnes and Noble bookstore near you!