ho chie's blog: 07.2005

Me and Tiff.

The 2005 Junior Staff! Those silly kids...

Michelle & Chelsea.

Excited about the first day of camp!

With Melody and Emily, all grown up.

TAF Love.

Sometimes, it feels like things never changed... The majesty of the city and its skyscrapers, the old friendships and memories, the comforts of a place I used to call home.

The Sears Tower - always grand.

Me and Frank.

Ivy and Sherry.

A little reunion with some of my med school friends, ex-roommates that I haven't seen in years... plus a reminder of the politically incorrect humor that only a bunch of Midwestern guys could be entertained by.

I'm "home" in Chicago.

It's been this kind of day so far...

I am looking for inspiration in a Belgian dark chocolate truffle bar right now. It's amazing what a dose of quality chocolates coupled with a nice cup of coffee can do for the mind.

Our little TAF gathering yesterday turned into a movie night and sleepover... So we went and played around some more today.

Picking up bubble tea for Lester.

Photo fun and kite flying with Annlie.

Annlie and Brendan visited today! We picked up some Cheeseboard pizza to eat at Indian Rock during sunset.

Brendan's picture of me taking a picture...

of Annlie!

Sunset.

A lovely evening.

So who is supposed to be the elephant?

Paul entertains Victoria, Steve, and Anna.

Anna has a sweet smile and an an old soul.

I'm semi-actively trying to expand my social circles and not be a hermit.

Yesterday, I hung out with some new friends that I met a couple weeks ago. Gina, a real sweetie who recently relocated from Alabama, joined me for coffee and conversation. Ling, the social butterfly with big beautiful eyes, organized a billiards / bar outing. Familiar faces Don, Hui, and Bill, all really nice guys, came out to play some serious Game. It got me out of the apartment and away from my computer for once. Refreshing.

Today, I've discovered free wireless internet at the cafe down the street from my apartment. I'm now out of the apartment sitting amongst strangers, but once again, in front of my laptop computer. No obligation to small talk.

It's essentially a win-win situation.

Aiyo. I'm so distracted. I need to be distracted from my distractions.

Straight from New York to another little gathering of Bay area friends from the Taiwan tour trip... First, dinner at a Thai restaurant, then enjoying Taiwanese tea and Gloria's cookies at my place. More photos here.

Walter, Mike (in back), Steve, me, and Gloria.

Thank you Margaret. Love you.

My New York trip is coming to an end tomorrow morning. I'm glad, and I'm sad.

Today, I was able to meet up with Audris for lunch at a Brazilian restaurant and also with Margaret and Chris for an excellent short films presentation at the film festival. Afterwards, I caught up with a couple more friends, Kelvin and Megan. And then they told me that Steve lives here too, so that leaves a handful of people that I didn't get to see on this (rather long) trip. Oh well. Next time. Because there's always a next time... and there's never enough time.

Overall, it was a wonderful and much-needed getaway week for me. My mind is clearer, I feel more rested, I've been able to think about the past, present, and the future. And I've concluded that there too many uncertainties in my life at the moment, which is so exciting and scary at the same time. But, the one thing I am certain about is how grateful I am for having all these friends in my life, old and new. They are more special to me than they will ever realize.

Peruvian dinner with Kelvin and Megan, my TAYL peeps.

I think it has been about three years since I last saw Annie, but I'm glad she was able to join me and Yuling for lunch at a nice little Cuban restaurant in lower midtown. Apparently, they hadn't seen each other for maybe 10 years since their Cleveland days, so we all had quite a bit of catch-up to do. For dinner, I met up with Nancy, and we went to one of DeNiro's fancy schmancy restaurants in Tribeca where Nancy's co-worker and friend Mabel has a second job as a hostess. That got us some delicious complimentary desserts after a fabulous gourmet halibut and salmon dinner. Nice conversations over nice meals. I couldn't ask for a better day.

Annie, me, and Yuling at Havana.

Dessert at Tribeca Grill.

Margaret (and her roommate) has been too kind to put up with me for a week now (and a few more days to go), and I certainly enjoy being around her. She is one of the people I admire and respect most in the world because while her mind tackles issues beyond comprehension to the masses, she approaches daily life with the utmost sincerity and gentleness.

I don't know why she has little fortunes sitting on her desk at the moment, but I have one more to add to her collection...

By the way, if she wins the lotto on those lucky numbers, I get 50%.

I say good food may be eaten at any hour; there are no rules. Today was a prime example. Breakfast consisted of a highly-rated Mississippi Mudpie and Margaret's green tea. A late lunch of dumpling soup was made by Karen. I joined Audris once again for a an excellent soup dumpling dinner in Chinatown. Yes, there is a difference between dumpling soup and soup dumplings. Afterwards, I caught up with Brock, Yuling, Robbie, and Ted and then decided on a whim to eat dinner #2 at a Japanese restaurant in East Village. What's for dessert, I say.

What's wrong with Dave?

Apparently, Hulk-brand aloe lotion helps the sunburn.

Dinner #2: sushi.

I brought together 11 friends to go see The Grace Lee Project, a film that I had seen previously at the SF Asian American Film Festival and that I thought was quite entertaining. I'm running out of energy to organize big groups of people. But, I love being surrounded by all my different friends. It's better than sitting alone in a room and doing nothing, which I do much too often.