Partners for Life

After a few glasses of wine...

me: You never told me why you wanted to spend the rest of your life with me...
Jeff: Well, it's because you're goofy.
me: Haha, very funny. No, seriously, tell me.
Jeff: I feel we connect in so many ways.
me: I know, but what made you say, "I want to spend the rest of my life with this person, and not anybody else?
Jeff: You really make me think about things that I normally don't think about.

Thanks for indulging me, bud. And thank you for being patient with me, and for standing by me through thick and thin. You make me realize what really is important in life.

The Best Prime Rib Restaurant

and yes, it is Lawry's!

We decided to walk around downtown and run a few errands Saturday afternoon. We window-shopped in the gold coast, where we haven't been in a couple years, and then back to Michigan Avenue. After strolling for a couple hours, we were wondering what to have for dinner. Since Lawry's was just a few blocks away, we decided to go and see if they have any tables available. Luckily, the wait was only like 15-20 minutes!

The last time we were at Lawry's was when Kuo-Hsun visited us about 1.5 years ago. We had a great meal there and headed to the Red Head Piano Bar. This time we were actually sitting at the same table as last time! We ordered our usual dishes, prime rib, baked potatoes, sauteed mushrooms. The meal comes with their famous and delicious spinning salad and Yorkshire pudding. We also shared a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon.

What a great impromptu prime rib dinner to treat ourselves :)

Remembering Dixin Kitchen

It was a sad day in the early summer. When we called to make sure Dixie Kitchen was open, we were told it is closed PERMANENTLY! Jeff and I looked at each other and were stunned, "Oh, no!" Dixie Kitchen is our favorite restaurant for Southern cuisine in Chicago. Their fried oysters with special dipping sauce might be one of the best things I've tasted. We also loved their gumbo, jambalaya and red beans and rice. Though we realized many of these most ordered dishes will be available at their sister restaurant, Calypso Cafe, right across the street, we were too skeptical to try it.

This Saturday, we just really crave the fried oysters, so we decided to pay a visit to Calypso Cafe. While Dixie Kitchen was full of character with its southern interior design, walking into Calypso Cafe is like visiting a tropical restaurant in Key West or Hawaii. It was a pleasant surprise that we found "shrimp and conch fritter" in the menu, and they are really tasty and authentic! That definitely is a plus because we fell in love with conch fritters in Key West, but haven't been able to find them in Chicago. The gumbo and jambalaya were the same as those in Dixie Kitchen, but I thought the breading on the fried oysters was a little thicker.

Oh well, the whole Calypso experience was actually pretty good. The addition of the shrimp and conch fritter definitely helps!

Thinking in Relative Terms

"The Informant!" is a new movie that both Jeff and I really enjoyed this Saturday. It is based on a true story about Mark Whitacre, the high-level executive at ADM turned whistle-blower in the early 1990s. Being an extremely intelligent and knowledgeable individual, we think Whitacre's biggest downfall might lie in his always thinking in relative terms.

It is a very funny and quirky film, and Matt Damon was incredible in portraying the main character. It might not be a movie that everyone loves, but it will definitely leave you thinking after watching it!

Stumbling on Happiness

This book piqued my interest not only because of the title, but also because I wanted to get more insights on how human mind works from a renowned Harvard psychologist, Daniel Gilbert. "Stumbling on Happiness" discussed how the shortcomings of our imagination and foresight cause us to misconceive our future and misestimate our satisfactions.

According to Gilbert, human being is the only animal that thinks about the future. When we think about the future, our emotion is being affected by our imagination of the future, whether it's happiness or anxiety. Gilbert discussed the results of many latest scientific research in psychology, cognitive neuroscience, philosophy and behavioral economics. Though some of the research results are not surprising to me at all, his conclusions in discussing how human mind works can be quite intriguing.

"And when I go there, I go there with you..."

It was a perfect Saturday night, and we shared it with a few good friends and 68,000 other people. U2 kicked off its North America tour in Chicago's Soldier Field (where Chicago Bears play), and it was amazing!

We met up with the Vlahavas' and the Massucci's at Opera for dinner before the show. It was, to me, a French-fusion Chinese restaurant. Many of the traditional Chinese dishes were transformed into a more decorative entree with creative ingredients and a obvious Western twist in the flavor. We shared a few appetizers before the entree, and I was actually very pleased with my sea scallop with Thai chili corn, hoisin sause and crispy pork belly. Since Opera was conveniently located in the South Loop, many diners were also going to the show.

U2 shows have always been our favorite, and we actually went to 3 or 4 of them in 2005. Their stage design always captures me, and it's no exception this time. The center stage turns 360-degrees, and the island and bridge structure allowed the band more interaction with the fans. Our seats were to the left side of the stage (closer to where The Edge stands), which was perfect! They played a few of their new songs, but also a bunch of their greatest hits throughout the years. "Bad" was a surprise for Jeff, and I was always excited to hear "One", "With or Without You", "Where the Streets Have no Name", "Walk On" and "Elevation". Soldier Field is a great place for concerts, and I'm glad I saw U2 there!

House Warming Party

Though we've had a few friends over for dinner or drinks here and there, this is the first big party we've thrown since we moved to our new home. We had over 25 friends join us this Saturday for a house warming get-together.

We prepared the popular pot stickers, Chinese cold noodle, potato salad, and grilled out burgers, dogs and steaks. I'm glad that my vodka lemonade and chocolate-covered strawberries were big hits, too!

It was just so great to see friends relaxing in our yard, hanging out on our deck, watching football on our couch and simply having a great time. We also got so much compliments on our house.


I'm grateful to have such a group of good friends, and getting together with them is always so much fun.

"The Train Whistle Melody Woved Through the Trees"

It was unlike any other concert I've been to. The free-spirited dancing fans, the smoke and smell of cigarettes and others filled in the air, the flying glow sticks, and the 15-minute songs. Yes, I'm talking about the Phish show. The "phish heads" amaze me. They are true fans....hard-core.

It was a Tuesday evening, and it took us 2 hours to drive to Toyota Park, where the Chicago Fire plays. I have to say, it was the perfect place for a Phish concert other than Soldier Field in the Chicago land. The music and cheering started while we were grabbing some pulled pork and tall boys. Walking into the show was an one-of-a-kind experience itself. "Phish heads" were swinging, tapping, swirling and frolicking all over the place and really enjoying themselves. To me, it was one of the few concerts that worth experiencing at least once in a lifetime.

Disappointing News...

The potential buyers of our condo are pulling back on their deal. The inspection went well with no major issues; however, the buyers wanted to move the kitchen sink to a different location in the kitchen. They got an estimate from their contractor and felt it was too expensive.

In addition to that, while they were in the area to check out the neighborhood this weekend, they ran across a few folks that may have had too much to drink and were turned off by it. This type of crowd rarely appears on our street, but it can happen to any neighborhoods in an urban environment. That's the difference between living in the suburbs vs. in the city.

Anyway, as of this morning, they have pulled out their contract, and the deal is off. I'm really hoping this is a bless in disguise, and we will get another offer soon. Paying double mortgage is definitely not desirable. We are keeping our fingers-crossed, so wish us luck!

Too Much Substance

Me: Who sings this song?
Jeff: Jacob Dylan, Bob Dylan's son.
Me: Oh yeah, I've heard of him. His band is The Wallflowers, right?
Jeff: Yup
Me: Do you like wallflowers?
Jeff: What exactly is a wallflower anyway?
Me: Well, I think in Chinese "a wallflower" implies that a person who is very attractive, but doesn't have much substance.
Jeff: Oh, yeah? Interesting...
Me: Do you think I'm a wallflower?
Jeff: If that's what wallflowers mean in your definition, then you're definitely not.
Me: Really? Thanks, bud!
Jeff: Well, you have too much substance.
Me: Too much? Why?
Jeff: .......
Me: Is it because I tend to argue with you?
Jeff: .......(nodding)

Getting Comfy and Settled In

Scraps has gotten pretty comfy with the new home. He is now used to napping in his own bed by our couch most of the time (while we are around, of course). One Saturday morning, I woke up seeing him sleeping on Jeff's pillow like a little person!

Our outdoor space might still be his favorite. He loves not only to run around in our back yard, but also to hang out on our front porch.

This picture was taken this afternoon. He looked quite like a neighborhood watch dog!

If you like thriller novels

Child 44 will definitely be one of my recommendations. The story is primarily set in Stalin's Soviet Union in the 1950s that illustrated the psychological world of a child serial killer formed 20 years earlier. Since in the Stalinist Russia, the only criminals are those who are enemies of the State, this theme made the entire process of how the MGB officer went through to solve the murder captivated my attention. In my opinion, however, the ending's very last twist didn't seem necessary, and was unfortunately a bit of a disappointment.

Ultimately, the story is all about consequences. The strong plot is filled with suspense, jaw-dropping twist and chilling horror. I have to say I really enjoyed Tom Rob Smith's writing, and especially his thorough research skills. Many details in the book showed that he had done his homework as a story-teller.

Empowering Women

Giving back has always been one of the happiest and most satisfying moment for me. While Jeff and I often make donations to certain charities that touch us the most, we also try to find new means to help the needy. Recently, I've stumbled upon Women's Global Empowerment Fund, which is an non-profit organization providing women in northern Uganda with access to microcredit loans, business development training and education opportunities.

There are many ways to donate to this charity. One being the purchase of beats and jewelry made by women in Uganda. Each piece is handmade from colorful recycled paper from local newspapers or magazines. What a great way to provide structured program to empower underprivileged women with the tools necessary to alleviate poverty!

Recent Obsession

What I love about these antique ceiling tin art is not only its rustic touch, but that almost every tin piece is salvaged from historic places. Therefore, I'd like to think every one has its own story.


I got the first mirror from a local antique store while shopping with my friend, Jenn, and I love how it adds a little vintage charm to the modern interior of our house. Since then, I have been obsessed with finding more pieces. This weekend I went to the monthly antique show in West Loop, and found an enchanting tin art piece and another vintage mirror.

What are your recent obsessions and good finds?

New York, New York

Every time I'm in New York, I feel reborn. I feel something inside of me has awaken. My heart beats faster, my eyes open wider, my energy level rises higher. Something in the Manhattan air whispers that I belong there. Every time I'm in New York, I feel at home.

Our team's annual sales conference was in New York this week, and I got a chance to experience this interesting transformation physically and psychologically again. It was a 4-day conference in Mid Town, and we also visited Long Island one afternoon. Jeff's cousin, Burt, was in Brazil, so he was very generous to let me stay at his stylish 2-bedroom apartment in Chelsea!

I was also excited to meet up with Jeff's cousin, Michelle, as well as her husband, Peter, and their 2-year old son, Luke. Before dinner, Michelle took me to one of the hottest spots in Manhattan -- The High Line, the most recent urban renewal project in NY. The High Line was originally constructed in the 1930s to lift dangerous freight trains off Manhattan's streets. Now it is an elevated public park, owned by the City of New York.

Dinner was at a famous Chinese restaurant, Grand SiChuan, where I had the most authentic Chinese cuisine and some of the best dishes I've had in the U.S. Our after-dinner drinks were at Maritime Hotel. To me, New York is one of a kind. I can never get bored of it. Whatever I do in New York, it's always a different experience!