It's been hard getting into the Xmas spirit this year. As I've told several people, the Holiday campaign is the worst thing Best Buy could ever do to us. Work has been crazy, with no sign of slowing down.
My sister and brother-in-law invited my family and his family over for Xmas. There was tons of food and a enough wine to make some of us a bit tipsy after the first hour. Charlie ended up busting out his rapper-wannabe moves, which was pretty hilarious.
We ate lots and opened presents afterwards. After the parents had gone home, we ended up playing "catchphrase," which is like that "Password" gameshow. It was fun.
Merry Xmas everybody!
Sunday, December 25, 2005
Have Yourself a Very Chinese Xmas
With my dad gone for Xmas, Tim and I took my mom out on Friday night for dinner at Daniel's Broiler and a movie.
Dinner was good, and we went to see "Memoirs of a Geisha" at Pacific Place.
The director pretty much used the same cast from "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon." I guess he figured moviegoers wouldn't notice that all the Chinese cast from "Crouching Tiger" all of a sudden became Japanese, and just as suddenly acquired the matching Japanese accent that made them said "pRease" (instead of "please") and "rife" (instead of "life"). I genuinely understand that the director wanted to make the movie more "real" by doing that, but the damn accent made it hard to understand what the characters were saying. I think he should have either done it all in Japanese with subtitles for authenticity's sake (which I know would be impossible in this case, since the cast was, as I mentioned above, Chinese, NOT Japanese) or in English, so that people could actually understand the dialog.
Overall, I liked the movie, despite the fact that it got horrible reviews. It was a bit slow at times, but the cinematography was amazing, and the the plot, which for the most part follows the best-selling book (according to Tim) was good. After the movie was over and the credits started rolling, I realized that the solo cello pieces were played by Yo Yo Ma. I concluded that they pretty much rounded up all the famous Asians they found to make this movie.
My mom was going to spend the night at my place, and as we were walking back to the apartment, we saw this cute, small Chinese girl screaming at what we think was her boyfriend. She was obviously mad and didn't care that we were spectators and she was the spectacle. Since my mom was there, we asked her to translate whatever threat the seemingly sweet, but obviously crazy and mad girl was yelling to the poor boyfriend. It was: "If you do this again, you will DIE an UGLY DEATH!" We thought that was pretty funny and Tim was thankful that despite being Asian, I am not a bitchy Asian. He is a lucky guy indeed.
It was hard to sleep at night, as my mom is a much worse snoorer than I remember. Not only that, like all old people, she gets up at the crack of dawn. That morning was no different. She got up at around 5am, and tiptoed to the bathroom, laptop under her arm, lest she would wake me up (I live in a studio). At 8am, I wake up to find her sitting on the toilet in my bathroom, playing MAH JONG on Yahoo! Games.
Dinner was good, and we went to see "Memoirs of a Geisha" at Pacific Place.
The director pretty much used the same cast from "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon." I guess he figured moviegoers wouldn't notice that all the Chinese cast from "Crouching Tiger" all of a sudden became Japanese, and just as suddenly acquired the matching Japanese accent that made them said "pRease" (instead of "please") and "rife" (instead of "life"). I genuinely understand that the director wanted to make the movie more "real" by doing that, but the damn accent made it hard to understand what the characters were saying. I think he should have either done it all in Japanese with subtitles for authenticity's sake (which I know would be impossible in this case, since the cast was, as I mentioned above, Chinese, NOT Japanese) or in English, so that people could actually understand the dialog.
Overall, I liked the movie, despite the fact that it got horrible reviews. It was a bit slow at times, but the cinematography was amazing, and the the plot, which for the most part follows the best-selling book (according to Tim) was good. After the movie was over and the credits started rolling, I realized that the solo cello pieces were played by Yo Yo Ma. I concluded that they pretty much rounded up all the famous Asians they found to make this movie.
My mom was going to spend the night at my place, and as we were walking back to the apartment, we saw this cute, small Chinese girl screaming at what we think was her boyfriend. She was obviously mad and didn't care that we were spectators and she was the spectacle. Since my mom was there, we asked her to translate whatever threat the seemingly sweet, but obviously crazy and mad girl was yelling to the poor boyfriend. It was: "If you do this again, you will DIE an UGLY DEATH!" We thought that was pretty funny and Tim was thankful that despite being Asian, I am not a bitchy Asian. He is a lucky guy indeed.
It was hard to sleep at night, as my mom is a much worse snoorer than I remember. Not only that, like all old people, she gets up at the crack of dawn. That morning was no different. She got up at around 5am, and tiptoed to the bathroom, laptop under her arm, lest she would wake me up (I live in a studio). At 8am, I wake up to find her sitting on the toilet in my bathroom, playing MAH JONG on Yahoo! Games.
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
Kids Say the Darnest Things
Tim and I are back from AZ, after spending three days around 5 kids, all under 3 and 1 8-year old.
1) This one comes from Mckenzie, Tim's little niece from Tennesee (who asked me if my name was Kelly or "MISS Kelly").
I took her to the bathroom to go potty. Mckenzie sat on the toilet for two seconds, got up and said: "I'm done." I'm like: "What do you mean, you're done? You haven't even gone!" to which she nonchalantly replies: "It just won't come out!"
2) Upon hearing me call Tim "Timothy," Drew (Tim's son) asked me: "Why do you call him "Timothy? Is it just to humiliate him?" (he obviously thought Tim was Tim's real name and made it known that he thinks "Timothy" is an ugly name.
1) This one comes from Mckenzie, Tim's little niece from Tennesee (who asked me if my name was Kelly or "MISS Kelly").
I took her to the bathroom to go potty. Mckenzie sat on the toilet for two seconds, got up and said: "I'm done." I'm like: "What do you mean, you're done? You haven't even gone!" to which she nonchalantly replies: "It just won't come out!"
2) Upon hearing me call Tim "Timothy," Drew (Tim's son) asked me: "Why do you call him "Timothy? Is it just to humiliate him?" (he obviously thought Tim was Tim's real name and made it known that he thinks "Timothy" is an ugly name.
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Into the World of White Peeps
It's true. By marrying Tim, I have fallen deeper into the abyss of the world of white peeps. Not only will I carry the name "Sale" and have a jar of pickles in my fridge, but now, I will also have one of those cheesy studio-made portraits; or worse yet, I will be the subject of one of those lame pics that people put in gold picture frames right next to little glass bells and Hallmark Precious Moments figurines.
It all started when Tim apologetically told me that next week, when we go to Arizona for a pre-Xmas weekend, we would be taking a family pic. That in itself made me cringe. You see, Asian people would never SPEND the money to have a real photographer take a professional picture. Not only that, my Asian peeps are too reserved and awkward to pose in front of a studio camera.
And tonight, I just found out that I will have to comply with a strict dress code, namely two sets of choices: jeans or khakis and white or denim shirt. When asked "WHY, oh WHY" it would have to be that way, we were told that "it looks better when everybody looks the same." Sometimes I wonder if they remember that I'm Asian.
It all started when Tim apologetically told me that next week, when we go to Arizona for a pre-Xmas weekend, we would be taking a family pic. That in itself made me cringe. You see, Asian people would never SPEND the money to have a real photographer take a professional picture. Not only that, my Asian peeps are too reserved and awkward to pose in front of a studio camera.
And tonight, I just found out that I will have to comply with a strict dress code, namely two sets of choices: jeans or khakis and white or denim shirt. When asked "WHY, oh WHY" it would have to be that way, we were told that "it looks better when everybody looks the same." Sometimes I wonder if they remember that I'm Asian.
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
The case of the maroon turtleneck
When I worked at a well-known software company, my friend Lauren and I would amuse ourselves by making fun of all the geeks and the odd things they do. We would also call out all the "visual offenses" (as Lauren called them) we saw. We would dream of metal detector-type machines that would be installed in front of all building doors, sounding off alarms for all geeks that wore socks with Tevas or Taz-mania slippers. For the worst fashion offenders, however, such as those wearing red (Dolce) leather pants, skinny 9-inch ponytails of greasy hair, 1980's high-top black Reeboks or had their last names tatooed on their arms, a mini-cage would drop down from the ceiling, thus imprisoning those who are a menace to the fashion world and the social world in general.
When I started working at an advertising agency, I was relieved to see that I was going to be surrounded by the new JCrew/Banana Republic fall collection and an occasional Dolce and Gabanna ensemble (not the leather pants though).
So you will understand my shock when somebody, SOMEBODY showed up at work with nothing less and nothing more than a maroon turtleneck underneath an oversize Cosby sweater! I was speechless, perplexed, offended, indignant. Since then, the maroon turtleneck/Cosby sweater duo has made several other (unwelcomed) appearances, much to my dismay.
When I started working at an advertising agency, I was relieved to see that I was going to be surrounded by the new JCrew/Banana Republic fall collection and an occasional Dolce and Gabanna ensemble (not the leather pants though).
So you will understand my shock when somebody, SOMEBODY showed up at work with nothing less and nothing more than a maroon turtleneck underneath an oversize Cosby sweater! I was speechless, perplexed, offended, indignant. Since then, the maroon turtleneck/Cosby sweater duo has made several other (unwelcomed) appearances, much to my dismay.
Sunday, November 27, 2005
The Proposal
Ok, so everybody knows, Tim proposed and now I FINALLY have my ring. The way Tim proposed was very well thought out and romantic, and I was really happy about how he did it. However, after listening (ok, it was more like eavesdropping) to his conversation with his mom, where he recounted the details of the big night, I was very disappointed by the story. Girls know that "the proposal" is all about the story, and to listen to Tim tell "the story," one would think that it was a lame proposal. Not only that. During his non-chanlant account of "the story," he purposely omitted several details that prove that I, Kelly, KNEW that he was on to something. So I believe it is important for me to retell the story of our proposal and let the world know that I knew. Throughout the below narrative, you will find the words "I KNEW/SUSPECTED/THOUGHT" inserted into the instances, where I, Kelly Chow, knew/suspected/thought that this was going to happen.
Last week was a tough week. The last three weeks, actually. We have been working on the launch of our client's biggest campaign of the year, so with a short week (due to Thanksgiving) and an important campaign, I found myself very stressed out.
And Tim, of course, didn't help the situation by bugging me about leaving work early on Wed, so we could head out to the Baker cabin for Thanksgiving. He wanted me to leave at 4:30, which I told him was impossible. The little stinker IM'ed me and told me he was stopping by my office. Miraculously, I was able to wrap up my work and get ready to be picked up.
I had told a friend of mine, that I KNEW how Tim would proposed, and to prove my clairvoyant powers, I was going to e-mail her all the details of my future proposal. I never got around to do this because work had been so busy, but I KNEW.
It was right before I left work, that I almost messaged my friend to tell her that I THOUGHT it was going to happen that night.
Tim had told me that we were going to meet up with our friend Brian, so that I could give him a bag that he needed for his trip to Thailand (Brian and his gf were leaving town that night). Tim said we were going to meet him at the market, which made me inquire (because I KNEW): "Why is Brian meeting us at the Pike Place Market?" It seemed to be an odd meeting place, since neither Brian nor his gf lived close to the Market. Tim's response was: "Because he's getting some food there," to which I asked: "Why does he need to get food for Thaliand?," Tim (a bit annoyed): "Because....he wants to get it for the plane, ok?" I decided to drop it. A guy can't know you're smarter than him, but I KNEW. I know Tim wanted to kill me at that point, but since he was going to ask me to marry him, he figured he'd put up with me.
Anyhow, upon arrriving at the market, Tim said we were going to rendezvous with BJ in front of the butcher's. Now, THAT's what I call a highly suspicious meeting place." So I had to ask: "Why at the butcher?" No response. The little wheels in my head started moving, and I was trying to remember if the butcher's was anywhere close to Maximilian's, the French restaurant where Tim and I had one of our first big dates. He had told me a while ago that he would propose at a place that had meaning to us.
We got the the butcher's but no sign of Brian. Suspicions risen again, so I finally said: "Brian is not coming, is HE? What are you up to, Diesel?" (because, that's right, I KNEW).
Diesel confirmed that BJ was not going to show up, but that he had arranged for us to have a cooking class with Willy, the restaurant's chef.
It was a really awesome experience. We went to the kitchen with the chef and he showed us how to make salmon with wine/butter sauce (which as it turns out, was the same meal Tim and I had when we had our date there). We also made green beans and our favorite, foie gras. 45 min into the class and almost done with our meal, Tim excused himself to go to the bathroom. I was helping the chef with the finishing touches, when Tim tapped me on the shoulder and when I turned around, said something to me (which I am not allowed to reveal, he says it's between the two of us), got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. My answer was "OF COURSE" ("yes" is just overrated).
The chef then had us follow him into the restaurant, where we ate the meal we had just cooked. I then saw my brother, then my dad, then my mom. My whole family was there! As it turns out, Tim had invited my family and close friends to a little reception on the second floor of the restaurant. It was lovely, and I'm glad I got to share that special moment with the important people in my life.
After the party died out, we headed up to Baker with our friend Corinne. It would have been a perfect night if it hadn't been for the two emergency stops we had to make, so that I could puke. I am convinced it was the one whole pound of butter that was in the wine sauce. But hey, it tasted good.
Last week was a tough week. The last three weeks, actually. We have been working on the launch of our client's biggest campaign of the year, so with a short week (due to Thanksgiving) and an important campaign, I found myself very stressed out.
And Tim, of course, didn't help the situation by bugging me about leaving work early on Wed, so we could head out to the Baker cabin for Thanksgiving. He wanted me to leave at 4:30, which I told him was impossible. The little stinker IM'ed me and told me he was stopping by my office. Miraculously, I was able to wrap up my work and get ready to be picked up.
I had told a friend of mine, that I KNEW how Tim would proposed, and to prove my clairvoyant powers, I was going to e-mail her all the details of my future proposal. I never got around to do this because work had been so busy, but I KNEW.
It was right before I left work, that I almost messaged my friend to tell her that I THOUGHT it was going to happen that night.
Tim had told me that we were going to meet up with our friend Brian, so that I could give him a bag that he needed for his trip to Thailand (Brian and his gf were leaving town that night). Tim said we were going to meet him at the market, which made me inquire (because I KNEW): "Why is Brian meeting us at the Pike Place Market?" It seemed to be an odd meeting place, since neither Brian nor his gf lived close to the Market. Tim's response was: "Because he's getting some food there," to which I asked: "Why does he need to get food for Thaliand?," Tim (a bit annoyed): "Because....he wants to get it for the plane, ok?" I decided to drop it. A guy can't know you're smarter than him, but I KNEW. I know Tim wanted to kill me at that point, but since he was going to ask me to marry him, he figured he'd put up with me.
Anyhow, upon arrriving at the market, Tim said we were going to rendezvous with BJ in front of the butcher's. Now, THAT's what I call a highly suspicious meeting place." So I had to ask: "Why at the butcher?" No response. The little wheels in my head started moving, and I was trying to remember if the butcher's was anywhere close to Maximilian's, the French restaurant where Tim and I had one of our first big dates. He had told me a while ago that he would propose at a place that had meaning to us.
We got the the butcher's but no sign of Brian. Suspicions risen again, so I finally said: "Brian is not coming, is HE? What are you up to, Diesel?" (because, that's right, I KNEW).
Diesel confirmed that BJ was not going to show up, but that he had arranged for us to have a cooking class with Willy, the restaurant's chef.
It was a really awesome experience. We went to the kitchen with the chef and he showed us how to make salmon with wine/butter sauce (which as it turns out, was the same meal Tim and I had when we had our date there). We also made green beans and our favorite, foie gras. 45 min into the class and almost done with our meal, Tim excused himself to go to the bathroom. I was helping the chef with the finishing touches, when Tim tapped me on the shoulder and when I turned around, said something to me (which I am not allowed to reveal, he says it's between the two of us), got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. My answer was "OF COURSE" ("yes" is just overrated).
The chef then had us follow him into the restaurant, where we ate the meal we had just cooked. I then saw my brother, then my dad, then my mom. My whole family was there! As it turns out, Tim had invited my family and close friends to a little reception on the second floor of the restaurant. It was lovely, and I'm glad I got to share that special moment with the important people in my life.
After the party died out, we headed up to Baker with our friend Corinne. It would have been a perfect night if it hadn't been for the two emergency stops we had to make, so that I could puke. I am convinced it was the one whole pound of butter that was in the wine sauce. But hey, it tasted good.
Seattle Half Marathon
What possesses people to get up in the crack of dawn, get dressed and spend the next 2-4 hrs running in the rain while the rest of the population lies dormant, enjoying the last day of the Thanksgiving weekend? The Seattle Marathon, of course.
And what in the world possesses me to get up in the crack of dawn and run for the next 2 hrs? A free t-shirt, of course.
Having run the Seattle half 3 times, I have (humbly) appointed myself a Seattle half veteran and do hereby leave behind some advice to those that follow me:
1) WEAR DEODORANT. You are running for a long time and perspiration is only natural. What is NOT natural, however, is a complete disregard for your fellow runners when you decide not to wear any deodorant. You do not want to be preceded or followed by a whiff of foul smell. You might think that with all the runners around you, nobody will know what the source of the stink is, but do not be mistaken: you will be the subject of mean anecdotes and violent derision following the event.
2) HONEYBUCKETS ARE FOR WUSSES. Novices risk making their PR by waiting in long lines for the honeybucket. Novices, watch closely: "Wh...what was that silhouette that just popped out of the bushes? Or..."What was the flash figure that just sprinted out of...(could it be?) somebody's front yard?" That, my friend, were Seattle half veterans. They understand that bushes are convenient, flexible and cleaner than honeybuckets. And besides, it's an enjoyable experience (see my previous blog about the Nike Women's Marathon)
3) People are running, but THEY CAN STILL SMELL (see #1 above), SEE, AND HEAR YOU. I witnessed something in today's marathon that was quite disturbing. A sexagenarian, in a moment of excitement, announced to his friend that he wanted to "have sex right here, right now." PEOPLE, if you're running on the I-90 bridge you are NOT confined to the safe quarters of your own home (and I suspect even in your own home you should not say such things if you're over 60); other runners can very well hear what you're saying, even if they're passing you fast.
I hope you can learn from my experiences. Another advice worth following is ACTUALLY TRAINING for the half. I did this one after not having trained for over a month. Sure I'm proud that I finished it, but am I happy with my time? NO! So now it's back to training for the next one...Vancouver, perhaps?
And what in the world possesses me to get up in the crack of dawn and run for the next 2 hrs? A free t-shirt, of course.
Having run the Seattle half 3 times, I have (humbly) appointed myself a Seattle half veteran and do hereby leave behind some advice to those that follow me:
1) WEAR DEODORANT. You are running for a long time and perspiration is only natural. What is NOT natural, however, is a complete disregard for your fellow runners when you decide not to wear any deodorant. You do not want to be preceded or followed by a whiff of foul smell. You might think that with all the runners around you, nobody will know what the source of the stink is, but do not be mistaken: you will be the subject of mean anecdotes and violent derision following the event.
2) HONEYBUCKETS ARE FOR WUSSES. Novices risk making their PR by waiting in long lines for the honeybucket. Novices, watch closely: "Wh...what was that silhouette that just popped out of the bushes? Or..."What was the flash figure that just sprinted out of...(could it be?) somebody's front yard?" That, my friend, were Seattle half veterans. They understand that bushes are convenient, flexible and cleaner than honeybuckets. And besides, it's an enjoyable experience (see my previous blog about the Nike Women's Marathon)
3) People are running, but THEY CAN STILL SMELL (see #1 above), SEE, AND HEAR YOU. I witnessed something in today's marathon that was quite disturbing. A sexagenarian, in a moment of excitement, announced to his friend that he wanted to "have sex right here, right now." PEOPLE, if you're running on the I-90 bridge you are NOT confined to the safe quarters of your own home (and I suspect even in your own home you should not say such things if you're over 60); other runners can very well hear what you're saying, even if they're passing you fast.
I hope you can learn from my experiences. Another advice worth following is ACTUALLY TRAINING for the half. I did this one after not having trained for over a month. Sure I'm proud that I finished it, but am I happy with my time? NO! So now it's back to training for the next one...Vancouver, perhaps?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
