ho chie's blog: 05.2002

Ivy and Esther, you're making me all teary-eyed!

Themes for today: Determination, Endurance, Focus... I will finish packing.

Just got back from a nice BBQ dinner at my next door neighbor's place. I just realized that I've never stepped foot in their house for the 10 years they've lived next to us... It was so nice of them to invite me over. After dinner, they gave me a wonderful graduation gift and a huge check. That was so incredibly generous of them.

So, Saturday is my departure date. Final. Mini-TAF gathering in St Louis when I stop by??

Sylvia and Zachary visited me this afternoon. She brought some Halo Halo over from this Filipino place in my neighborhood that I didn't even know existed. It's very similar to Taiwanese shaved ice, and now I'm craving some more. So good on a hot day. And so nice seeing Sylvia. Our friendship started about 16 years ago. Hard to believe. Anyways, I may have to leave on Saturday morning given my snail's pace at packing...

2 Degrees of Frank: Hello Maggie, see you in San Francisco...

Still packing. This is truly a pain in the butt. I am contemplating pushing back my departure date by 1 day.

YellowMnM81: EWWW
YellowMnM81: ARE THOSE PEEPS...
YellowMnM81: FROM EASTER?!?!?!
HoChie71: yea
YellowMnM81: wow. that's old.
YellowMnM81: lol.
YellowMnM81: you weren't kidding when you meant old and stale.
HoChie71: yum...
YellowMnM81: hehe
YellowMnM81: is that a candy apple?
HoChie71: yep. almost broke a tooth.
YellowMnM81: ouch.. :P hehe
YellowMnM81: eiffel!
YellowMnM81: *GASP*!
YellowMnM81: BEER!
YellowMnM81: this is a child-friendly site, hoch!
YellowMnM81: or it WAS!
YellowMnM81: AHH! MORE BEER!
HoChie71: it could be pee
YellowMnM81: lol
YellowMnM81: yea.. that's why you look like you're about to take a big swig of it!

Will I be able to finish packing in time?? Hmmm. Anyways, as you probably noticed, a sampling of some Europe pics are up. One of these days, I'll get the rest of the pics online.

I am spending the day packing, cleaning, and re-organizing. The next journey is scheduled to begin on Friday. So much to do. So little time. I need a vacation. Study hard, work hard, friends. I'm thinking about you.

Margaret is in Chicago?? I have caught up with all of my regular blog buddies... A sense of normalcy shall return to our blog world in due time.

I am back in Chicago. I'm pooped, but determined to overcome any jetlag. In the meantime, I am stranded on campus until I can hitch a ride back to the 'burbs tonight. Hopefully I can find some time to post some of the 250+ pics I took while in Europe in the next day.

Well, looking back, it was a fun trip hanging with Dave and Phil and venturing around Europe, but I am glad to be "home" for a little while. I'm so happy I got to hang out with Ranee and Yuling too. That just made the trip that much more special for me. Plus, a little shout out to Yuling's roommates and friends: Zach, Irma, Erin, Jeannie. After a week of mooching off their hospitality and making the couch feel like home, I feel this neat little connection with all of them. Thanks everyone, so much! Come visit me in Berkeley!

We went to Disneyland Paris with some of Yuling's friends 2 days ago, and then to Sacre-Coeur and Champs-Elysees yesterday. Today, we went to the Sewer Museum - an interesting way to end our trip to Paris. Yuling and Zach's roomies and friends are so awesome. I like them. They're fun. More blogging tomorrow night - from Chicago...

Candy apples at Disneyland Paris. Chillin' on the Seine by Notre-Dame.

Hanging over Sacre-Coeur. With Yuling, Sacre-Coeur in back.

Jeannie and my not-so-stale bunnies. Zach's fav cafe in Montparnasse.

Free internet - now that's what I'm talking about! Some guy offered me his terminal for free, or that's what I thought he said in French. Anyways, off to dinner with Yuling and Zach at some Taiwanese place here in Paris. Oh yeah.

It's been tough finding internet access in Paris... but here I am once again. So yesterday, we decided to take it easy after all these days of walking. We went to the top of the Eiffel Tower, and afterwards, worked our way to the Champs-Elysees to watch l'Attaque des Clones. I couldn't wait until returning back to the states to watch it. Master Yoda kicks butt. Yesterday evening, we hung out with Yuling's roomies and mostly American friends studying in Paris - very entertaining to say the least and definitely a night to remember.

Today we went to the Musee d'Orsay, and after this entry (because I'm having internet withdrawal), we are on our way to the Centre Pompidou for some more modern art. I like this neighborhood near the Centre Pompidou by the way. It just feels so much more lively. Plus, it has all the little boulangeries and patisseries that I like. I can't resist buying un ou deux pain au chocolats (chocolate-filled croissants) everyday. Yummy. My French hasn't failed me yet when it comes to food.

Yuling and I, rainy day in Paris. Reflecting on art at Ctr Pompidou.

Dave left us early this morning to return to the states. Phil and I spent the day at the Louvre where we bumped into Miss Mona Lisa, then into fellow med school friends, Danielle and Pavil. It turned out to be a good thing because we ended up trading drugs... my antibiotic pack for Danielle's aspirins. Off to dinner with Yuling!

Random encounter at the Louvre. Inside the glass pyramid by I.M. Pei.

That didn't take long. Blue Victorinox Swiss Army knife has been bought. As well as some Haribo gummi bears...

2 separate boat trips around Lake Geneva, a walk around Lausanne, and 1 train ride later, we are back in Geneva. Phew. Long day. I'm tired. Next decision: to buy or not to buy a cool Swiss Army knife.

Romantic encounter: Dave & Phil on deck. The hills are alive...

New plan for today: Find a place to stay tonight. Shorter boat cruise. We head back to Paris tomorrow evening, and if things work out, we'll get to stay with Yuling for a night or two. I'm excited about seeing her! That will help with my delayed post-TAF withdrawal.

Lake Geneva is really beautiful. Tomorrow, we plan to take a 12 hour boat cruise around the lake. Updates on the 4 B's: Blisters are getting better. Backpack is feeling heavier. Bunnies don't get stale in Europe for some odd reason. Bears are the theme of Switzerland it seems.

Bunnies and Gummies on tour.

I can't believe it's been well over a week since we started traveling Europe. It has honestly felt like a month just because we end up walking so much, seeing a lot of sights, and staying up late. Every night is so different depending on the housing situation - hostels some nights, hotels on others... The quality is so variable. I just hope for a comfortable bed and a hot shower. Hopefully no mosquitoes. And, everything is so expensive too. We have to pay for bottled water, pay for internet access, pay to pee... So, we are moving on to Geneva today. Before we leave here though, I'm hoping to see the patent office where Albert Einstein worked when he thought up his Theory of Relativity. That would be cool.

I was thinking of Suzan last night. After leaving Ranee in Italy, I just got to thinking about returning to Chicago and leaving for California. Like Ranee, Suzan will be one of those people that I wish I could take with me to California, just because I love to listen to what she has to say. And they're both interesting people that I just feel I have a deeper connection with... Sigh. Too bad they don't really know that. I'll miss them both very much. I suppose if I think about it too long, I'll start missing everybody else too. Anyways, I remembered I had some pics to post of me and Suzan hanging out before I left for Europe:

And I miss Ranee already. She sent me the nicest email yesterday. And, I hadn't even left her yet... "And even though I am so far away from my family, I feel that my brother was right beside me all the way thru France to Rome." Thanks Ranee. I totally love you. I hope you have a great time on the rest of your journey through Italy and Spain.

This morning, Phil and I took the train back to Florence and met up with Dave. From there, we passed through Milan on our way to Bern, Switzerland. The Swiss Alps and the architecture of the town are so beautiful. There's not much else to see here it seems, so we'll be on our way to Geneva tomorrow probably.

Beers in Bern.

I have surgically removed my blister with semi-sterile technique... and that's all I wish to share. Oh, and "Ouch!"

So, today, we explored the Vatican. I didn't get to see the Pope. I think he was busy or resting or something. However, we did enjoy the audio tour during our 4+ hours there. Afterwards, Ranee and I just wandered around and made it back to Piazza Navona for some more gelato. Phil and I will be departing tomorrow without her, and I think I'll miss being with her very much. She's been a sister to me during our past week together...

Inside the cupola of the Basilica. And looking down at the plaza.

At the top of St. Peter's Basilica. Cheers to Kiwi and Chocolate gelato.

I've got a blister on my foot. Ouch. Too much walking. Yesterday, we saw the Coliseum, the Pantheon, and everything in between. Piazzo Navona, Piazza di Spagna, Piazza Del Popolo, Piazza This, Piazza That... Very pretty, but Phil thinks they all look the same, especially if they have obelisk at the center... Piazza Venezia was very nice too, as we saw the changing of the guards. We got to hang out and do dinner with some of Ranee's friends - Shreetha, Lucas, Jennifer - all are law students who just finished a semester abroad in London. It turns out that Shreetha's cousin is Anita, who just graduated from Northwestern med. Phil and I know of Anita because she's Janet's good friend. Small world. Today, we head off early to Vatican City. Do you think the Pope signs autographs?

Phil and his self-photos. Smile.

Today, we are in Rome. Time to explore...

Which one, you ask?
Big, tall, pasty-white guy. Kinda stiff. Clothes are not a big deal to him. One of the reasons we came to Europe. Yes, today was the day of David.

McDonald's and McBiere, Italiano style. Gelato #4.

I love Florence! I love the feel of the city, the architecture, the smell... These places that we've visited - The Duomo, St Croce, the plaza outside the Uffizi - have stood for centuries, and I find that simply amazing. I love just walking around and being surrounded by this city of stone and orange tile rooftops.

So, since I my last entry, we've enjoyed gelato too many times. We tried some after dinner yesterday and discovered how delicious it was here. And this morning, Ranee and I snuck out to have some more before breakfast. After lunch, we all went to get some more. Irresistable.

I think the best moments in Florence so far have been climbing some 500+ steps to the top of the cupola of the Duomo and taking in the view from there. Also, the view from the Piazzale Michelangiolo of all of Florence is very pretty too - I think it would be a spectacular place to watch the sun set. Phil and Dave are funny guys, and it definitely makes the trip twice as fun. I'm also so glad Ranee has been with us too. I feel like we've bonded quite a bit so far, and we've certainly had lots of time to just talk at night since she's been my roommate for the past few nights. It feels very different from our time together at TAF, but I like that we're exploring parts of Europe together for awhile.

Dinner calls. Let's see what we find tonight...

Overlooking Florence from Piazzale Michelangiolo.

So, this morning, we left Nice, and with some effort, we arrived in Florence, Italy by way of Genoa then Milan... If you check a map, you'd realize this is not a direct path. But certain Eurail schedules don't seem to be too accurate, so I consider it great luck that we've gotten here together and remained sane after 9+ hours of travelling. That last train we were on from Milan to Florence was a sauna car. Phew. I think only those taking the 1st class cars have the privilege of experiencing intense dry heat while on a train. Pity those 2nd class cars with air conditioning. How spoiled. Anyways, we've only just arrived in Florence, but already, it's looking very beautiful... And we have an internet cafe right across from our quaint little hotel. So, it seems I shall be back soon enough.

Did I really miss a day of blogging? Yes. I feel bad. Anyways, Dave, Phil, and I got into France without a hitch. We met up with Ranee, and spent the next 24 hours in Paris walking the streets and seeing the sights. We got pics of Notre Dame, Le Louvre, La Seine... I just love it out here. The architecture and ambience are just amazing. Today, we are in Nice, France on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. It's so beautiful. Simply romantic. I can't wait to see what it's like underneath the stars at night. Superstars. Well, I can't type too much cuz I just had way too much beer - it came in a mug the size of a 2 liter bottle... Plus these European keyboards are set differently from ours. Or maybe my vision is blurred. I'm not quite sure yet. Anyways, we just found this internet cafe down the street from our hotel... so I'm sure I will blog again soon. Stay tuned for more glimpses of Ho Chie's tour through Europe.

Before a swim in the Seine. Outside Centre Pompidou.

Outside the Louvre. I ordered the small.

Nice butts in Nice. Bunny in a baguette.

See, I'm gone, but I'm not really gone... But I knew you'd check anyways. You should be studying or working anyhow. All is well in my dome...

OK, just a few more errands to run before meeting up with the guys and heading to Paris. I'm starting to get excited. I'm still a bit worried that they won't let me on the plane because the name on my passport doesn't quite match my other IDs. That's what I get for preferring to use my given Asian sounding name over my chosen American name. Don't know what that name is? Well, you better take the time to explore my website further...

One more thought: I definitely have a place to live in California now - financial matters are just about settled. Shall we take a look at the view from the deck once again? Yes! I'm loving it, and I can't wait to host my dear friends - we're gonna camp out on the deck underneath the stars. Superstars.

So, I think this shall be my last blog in this place that I've called home for 4+ years. This computer has served as my control station and my window to the world - but now it's time to unplug... I shall be back shortly. New time, new place...

"Superstar! Superstar!" - Can't get that little voice out of my head.

I suppose this is my first "unofficial pseudo-commissioned" sketch. I had been meaning to do this much earlier when Cat asked me to, over a month ago. But, it seems I can only find creativity like this every once in awhile. Tonight was one of those evenings. During one of my quiet moments at one of my favorite hideaway places in Chicago, I got to thinking about relationships, about who in this world makes us content and happy, and about the future... I guess most of us can only wish and hope that we find something as special as what Mike and Cathy have. They are so perfect for each other and such a wonderful complement. If only we could all be so lucky or so willing to take a chance with our hearts. I guess I can only keep wishing upon some bright star in the sky. But in the meantime, I'll just keep looking for more reasons to draw. Tonight, that inspiration came in the form of a cute little crab that lived in a paper bag and, for some reason, kept calling me "superstar." Don't ask. Any more sketch requests?

I'm still aching all over, but the packing / moving / cleaning is going at a steady pace. My goal is to be out of here by tomorrow...

Two roundtrip drives later, my desk is now reassembled back at home in the 'burbs. The sweat, the bodyaches, the tears... It is only 2:50 am...

I have dismantled my beautiful desk. Too bad it still won't fit into my car. OK, the packing and cleaning continue...

I love my friends. Here are some of them with whom I spent this afternoon and evening with:

Lunch, in honor of Dr. Philip Espaldon.

Click here for a closeup. The personalized reflex hammer.

Phil & friends at the very classy Four Seasons Hotel.

Farewell dinner with my Chicago friends.
Thanks to Liz for always being the ultimate organizer / hostess!

Oliver, Gordon, & Vida.

Dan, Chris, & Otto.

Albert, Tina, Liz, & Andy.

Liza, Mike, Phil, Charlie; Cathy, Rich, & Suzan.

Lola, Vivian, & Janet

Me, Rick, Peter, Sherry; Dan, Angela, & Frank.

My Taiwanese American family for over a decade.

I'm looking forward to the lunch with Phil, family, & friends at the Four Seasons Hotel to celebrate his graduation. I've never been there before because it's so upscale, but now I get to go before I leave Chicago! Yay! And, this evening, I have a little gathering of some Chicago-area buddies at Reza's, one of my favorite Mediterranean places.

I'm slowly making some progress with moving out of my room... Where did all this junk come from? I should have a garage sale or something.

Dr. Ho Chie Tsai, always using his powers for awesome.

I found my acceptance letter this morning, still enclosed in a glass covered frame. Dear Mr Tsai: The members of the Admissions Committee and the faculty of the University of Illinois College of Medicine join me in extending an offer to you to be a member of the Class of 2002. I remember attaching the little fortune cookie message at the bottom of the letter. Good news of a long-awaited event will arrive soon. Chained to the top of the frame was a little silvery cherub ring that I used to wear...

I remember the day I received the letter in the mail. I looked at it, and I had no reaction. After trying to get into med school for 3 years, I had just about given up and was prepared to do "something else." So I held onto it for a full week and didn't tell a soul. I remember that period so clearly because things were changing so fast. I was scrambling to finish up my thesis for my Masters Degree, I was in the midst of a break-up with one of the few girls that had captured my heart, and I had this medical school acceptance letter in my hand. Well, obviously, I made my choices, accepted my fate, and here I am today - still in one piece.

As I write this, I find that, once again, things are changing very fast. I'm moving out of the room I've lived in for 4 years, I'm figuring out what I need to survive a trip to Europe, I'm planning how to relocate to California, and I'm hoping to see many of my friends before I leave Chicago. I look back at these years in medical school, and I hope I made all the right choices. I definitely feel like I still have some loose ends to tie up as well as some stories that have only just begun. I don't know how they'll end just yet...

I guess there will always be some regrets, some curiousity as to how things could've turned out if I had made different choices along the way. Life will always be about the trade-offs, the sacrifices, I suppose. Hopefully, though, we have the heart and commitment to choose the right path and believe in it. And to dream a little. But I must admit that a small part of me hopes that all these paths will somehow lead to the same place in the end...

One thing is for certain. There have been so many people and experiences that have touched my life. I would be nothing without them. So thank you, my friends and family, for making this entire journey worth it.

Today is the day I graduate. Unbelievable. It passed by so fast, almost like a blink of an eye. Another chapter is soon to begin.

("What?! Ho Chie was dating somebody? No way." Yes, I hear you whispering. The cherub ring belonged to her.)

Welcome to the world of AIM, CeliaCC70 - Let the TAF Junior and Junior High world celebrate!

I've been re-connected with Esther recently... and she is now linked to my buddy page! Yay!

Ahh! I'm sooo happy right now! I just got a call-back for one of the AFFORDABLE apartments I was looking at in Berkeley. Armen, my future roommate-to-be, told me I have been selected to replace his current roommate! Apparently, there was some stiff competition... Anyways, I'm so glad it worked out for me. And Armen is such a great guy and easy to get along with. When I first met him, I found out that he was interested in going to med school and specializing in Pediatrics as well. Maybe it was a sign, I don't know. But anyways, if everything goes well, I will have an address in California and a destination to start driving towards in my little Toyota Camry come end of May... So happy!

Oh, and here's another great reason why I will love living there! From the deck above the apartment, this is the view of all of Oakland, Berkeley, San Francisco, Marin County, the Bay Bridge, the Golden Gate Bridge, etc... Imagine the sunset views... I'm dying already.

The Class of 2002 photo was taken this morning, preserved for all of posterity. The convocation ceremony is tomorrow. Finally. Four years of medical school are just about over.

I am spending my last week in Chicago cleaning up my life here... There are so many little things to take care of from paperwork to graduation to Europe plans... I know I'm gonna mess up or forget something. Time for yellow sticky notes. Anyways, tonight is the senior dinner / dance. My "date" is Judy. Since she has such beautiful long hair, I voted for an Episode I hairstyle... We'll see what she comes up with. I gotta dig up my suit I guess. Or else I'll go as a Jawa.