Trying not to go crazy over here!

Unfortunately, Michael has been sick for two plus weeks and the doctor's can't tell what's wrong with him. Already we've been to the ER and we're now in the process of waiting for lab results. It's a stupid waiting game as we camp out in the studio. I just want someone to tell us what's wrong, and I just want him to feel better.

I've been trying not to go crazy being cooped up inside, but there's no way I'm leaving him home either. I've tried to write my book, but I'm having a hard time focusing. Maybe all I need is coffee to do the trick, so I'll try that. Blog posts, however, are comparably easier.

An update on my manuscript. It's practically done, the story is coming to a close. I think it'll end roughly around 70,000 words instead of the 80,000, but what I'll do is write 10,000 words of notes and things I need to change around draft two. Once done, I'll post a summary on my experience with this first draft.

Another update: If you guys didn't know this already, when I moved to Seattle, I kind of barged my way into Michael's studio (meant for one person) and brought my cat up in November (since apartments in Seattle are so expensive). He's let me live with him for the time being, but now we've found a beautiful one bedroom apartment for us (which is practically double the size of our current studio) that we get to move into on Friday! YAY! Maybe once I have my own closet, it'll start feeling like home!

And it's crazy to think that Christmas is this week! What a whirlwind!

Flowers for Algernon

The snow melted by evening to my dismay, and now we are left with the wet and dreary in Seattle.

Two nights ago I finished Flowers for Algernon. This is another book I'm going to have to recommend. I found the recommendation on a reddit thread, and I'm so happy I did.

With more than five million copies sold, Flowers for Algernon is the beloved, classic story of a mentally disabled man whose experimental quest for intelligence mirrors that of Algernon, an extraordinary lab mouse. In poignant diary entries, Charlie tells how a brain operation increases his IQ and changes his life. As the experimental procedure takes effect, Charlie's intelligence expands until it surpasses that of the doctors who engineered his metamorphosis. The experiment seems to be a scientific breakthrough of paramount importance--until Algernon begins his sudden, unexpected deterioration. Will the same happen to Charlie? An American classic that inspired the award-winning movie Charly. (source: Amazon)

If you're in need of a good book, this is it!

All dressed up in white

Just before going to bed last night I asked Michael to keep the blinds open.

"Why?" he asked.

"Because I want to see the snow!"

I had such a hard time sleeping too. Maybe it was all of the excitement, because I have never seen snow fall since I was like three or four years old, so it kind of meant a big deal!

I woke up around 6:30 a.m., the usual time I get up for work. I opened my eyes, and the sky was pink and orange, but lo and behold there was snow! Being the responsible person I am, I called work to see what time the office was opening (two hours later due to the snow) before launching myself outside to see it!

View from the balcony, looking down into the street.

"It's snowing, honey! It's snowing, honey!" I exclaimed as I threw on whatever would cover and keep me warm. "I have to go and see!"

"Be careful," he mumbled as he rolled onto his other side, continuing to sleep.

On my way down the elevator, I called my mom, waking her up to share the news. Then went outside to walk in it and take a ton of photos!

Stepping out into it! Look at that early morning sky!

7 am, just got out of bed, yet happy as a clam!

Snow falling.

Covering the grass.

Catching snow.

It sparkles!

Some snow in my hair after my walk.

I came back into the apartment so spritely and excited then proceeded to wake Michael by showing him my photos. It was so hard to sit still, so I went back out again to the top deck and took even more photos. The sky finally turned blue as it woke up and voila! Seattle all dressed up in white!

Untouched snow on the rooftop deck.

Getting my footprints in.

The whole skyline, with the Space Needle's lighted Christmas tree on the far right.

Beautiful. It was a good morning for me and a great way to start my Friday! I came back to my apartment, taking in the scene before making pancakes for breakfast!

Can't get enough of it! View from the balcony window.

Such in great spirits that I made blueberry gluten free pancakes topped with sliced bananas and agave nectar.

Blair watching snow for the first time!

Michael snapped this one of me when I wasn't looking.

Happy Friday Everyone!

Aerial Views

There's something about planes that I really enjoy. You'll find me at a window seat, staring out blankly in a daze, thinking up stories, or writing in a little book. Sometimes I'll read, but my eyes will always gravitate to the window from time to time. Oh the sights that you see.

On my way back to Seattle on Monday, the sky was clear enough that I was able to see Crater Lake below me as the plane was passing through Oregon.

I've never seen the lake on land, but whoa does it look amazing from up high! That island inside of it, I learned, is called Wizard Island, which I found to be pretty neat!

Once I was in Washington, I was also able to get a decent picture of Mount Rainier.

 

Currently there's a storm watch in my area for a chance of snow! Very light of course, that will probably get rained away by tomorrow morning, but I really hope it happens!



Mom's Birthday Celebration!

*Warning: Tons of photos in this post!*

Already I'm missing my mom, my sisters, my family, and the California sun. It's really true what they say, you really don't know what you're missing until it's gone.

I'm really grateful I got to go back for my mother's Birthday weekend. I really think my sisters and I made her year.

My mom is everything to my sisters and I. She's a strong and independent woman who raised five girls by herself in an unfamiliar country. She's sacrificed so much for us to have an opportunity to chase our dreams, that we are forever grateful for her. Never has she asked for anything but health and happiness for us, and for that, we owe her everything.

RECAP of the weekend:

My sister Dao (who currently lives in New York) and I arrived in Sacramento late Friday evening. The next morning we surprised my mom to let her know we were here. She didn't expect a thing and her expression was priceless!

It was strange to be back in Sacramento, though I was here just a few weeks ago. But I definitely took advantage of it with some quality time. My sisters and I did a three hour bike ride around Lake Natomas (that really kicked my butt!).

Emily, ready to pound that bike trail pavement!



This is me, completely pooped!

 Afterwards we took my cousin out to bowling for his Birthday and to the toy store so he could pick out his gift.

For my mother's Birthday we got dressed up in our best for family photos!



My mom, me, and Oanh

 

Bothering my mom as she gets ready!

I was doing my 'mug' face

Behind the scenes! So much light, I can pass as a vampire!

The twin and I

My sisters and I are a bit... sassy!

It's been such a long time since we've done a family portrait. I think to date we have only done it three times. Below you'll fine some old ones and the new ones (I wasn't able to find the first family portrait).


The second family portrait (I was seven)



New family portraits, now age twenty-two!

And what's a birthday without a gift ;) I think we certainly made her day memorable.

The Book Thief and Surprises

Why it took me this long to read The Book Thief, I have no idea. Though no doubt, I've been missing out. I first heard about the book from a friend in high school, she recommneded it to me since it was her favorite book. But I didn't take her recommendation. Why? Because it's set in Nazi Germany around WWII.

The thing is, the halocaust scares me. As a child and teenager, I read a lot of stories from that time period and every single time it hurt to soak in the words. It hurt to know what evil humans were capable of. I think of the people I've never met who died unimaginable deaths and I weep and grieve. Maybe I was too young to be exposed to it when I was.

It was stupid to do, but I started to avoid books about the halocaust. But I shouldn't have. These stories were written to be known.

So at the urging of a friend, I read The Book Thief. It wasn't what I expected, it was different. And I loved it. The writing was beautiful in a way that reached out and touched you and the characters were so vivid that it's only natural you grow attached to them. Needless to say, it has made my recs list and I can't wait to see the film adaption.

On another note, I am so excited to go back to Sacramento tonight! This weekend, my sisters and I are surprising my mom for her Birthday! She has no idea! On top of that, it's also Friday and a half work day for me! Oh yes, and on top of that, Michael and I are going to see The Hobbit before my flight! For Friday the 13th, today's not looking too bad!

Back to Sac (Part 4: Onto SF)

Since we were in California for the week, Michael wanted to spend a day in SF. Surprisingly, being a California native, I had yet to see the Golden Gate Bridge. So the day after Thanksgiving we went. It was our first city getaway and we were welcomed with great weather.

After the Golden Gate Bridge and checking into our hotel, we grabbed lunch at Samovar Tea Lounge, one of Michael's favorite places. After enjoying the meal and tea, I could understand why he like it so much. Everything that touched my lips was phenomenal that we ended up going there the next day for breakfast too.

For the remainder of the day, we strolled the city, trying to avoid black Friday shoppers as we went. Later on we grabbed some wine at ENO, then had sushi for dinner. Let me just say now that I HAD THE BEST SUSHI EVER at ICHI Sushi. The creative fusion of ingredients on top of the impeccable fish and rice seriously made my pannies drop (not really, but you get what I'm saying right?)

Golden Eye Snapper on the bottom right was my fave!

After the amazing sushi and later into the night we met up with some Seattle friends who were also in SF for a drink. All in all, it was a great day.

The next day we went back to Sac and enjoyed what little time we had left with my family. Then we made the long trek back home with a sedated Blaire (my cat).

To note, I did finish my NaNoWriMo project, but never uploaded it to the site. During that week, I made the difficult decision to euthanize my beloved dog, Kiwi. He was nine. One day I'll write a post about him, but right now I just can't. There's nothing I could say right now that would help ease the loss. I can only hope that he's happy now and forgives me, wherever he is...

A last photo of us playing together.