I used to think Valentine's Day is a day when both people celebrate with each other, not just guy needs to please the woman. Not sure where I got this idea. I probably feel I don't want to take advantage of the "princess privilege."
This Valentine's Day was a very different one. I have been caught up by midterm, paper and presentations. To a degree that none of the wedding preparation has been done. I told Joe long time ago just giving me a card and don't spend money on anything else. We are pretty tight recently, and I think I don't need to stress him by giving me a big surprise or something.
Saturday, Joe was a big sad that he had to go to a dental appointment before coming to my place. I was just free from my midterm, (also know that my position will be cut soon) haven't prepared anything and didn't expect much from this holiday.
He showed up at my door with flowers and card! Several bags on his hands and he refused me taking them over and seeing what's inside. It turned out that he found some special recipes, and did homework to buy one of my favorite food- abalone! When I imagined the picture that he went to ranch 99 himself, looking through the shelf to find what exactly an abalone can looks like, I just can't help smile and feel super touched. He remembered what we shared as an fun exercise what's my favorite food and even found it himself!
The extraordinary Valentine's meal is cheese fondue, love rice, and bread pudding as dessert. Did I say Joe has the great potential to be a great cook? He proved himself that day! Though I am really not a cheese fan, the flavor of love rice and bread pudding are really really good. I am now thinking maybe I should ask for a homemade bread pudding as my birthday cake.
Valentine's Day
聖誕禮物 Christmas Gift
Joe小心翼翼的對我說，因為準備Engagement，就沒有心思設計特別的聖誕禮物了。他開心的拆完禮物後，給了我我的禮物。嘴裡還說，我們之後去逛街，我可以挑我想要的東西當禮物。
Joe said he did not get to get a really special Christmas gift for me after the draining planning of engagement. He wanted to tell me that I can go get other gift besides this one that I am going to open after he got his gifts.
拆開包裝我超級興奮！是那個飛機上的餅乾！
I was super excited after opening the wrapping! It's the cookie I got on the plane!
話說十月底為了visa問題飛去加拿大時，飛機上發了很很很很好吃的小餅乾。我吃了一包，就把剩下的帶回來要給Joe品嚐。他吃了以後也說好吃，不是很甜，但很有特別cinnamon味道。我曾經想過留下空包裝，之後來找到底可以在哪買到。後來不了了之，誰知道，Joe竟然留了包裝而且上網找到，訂了這個要送給我！
When I flew to Canada for the border run, I got a special kind and super yummy cookie on the plane. After tasting the first one, I intentionally saved the rest of them home for Joe. This kind of cookie is not really sweet and it has a special cinnamon flavor. Joe liked it too! I thought about keeping the bag and look for it later, but decided that I didn't want to go through all the troubles. However, Joe did exactly I thought about doing, and ordered this as gift for me!
Yummy Cookie!超級開心和感動。
I was really happy and touched with this yummy cookie gift!
The Hotel Del Coronado (中文版)
他是個大騙子，也是我的未婚夫！
十二月二十星期六是Joe IT team的聖誕party。十二月初，Lisa發出的邀請函，就已躺在我的email信箱裡。邀請函寫著大家必須著正式服裝，傍晚在Lisa在San Diego有著美麗view的大房子阿姨家集合，之後會去一間很棒的餐廳吃飯，IT team買單！
==============================================================
Karen,
Here's the team party I mentioned before. It's in SAN DEIGO! Whoppee! And Matt (or Saddleback, at least) is paying for a nice restaurant. We only have to bring a gift if you want to participate in the gift exchange. I'll probably just bring one, and you can use it to do the exchange. Are we good on the 20th?
Maybe we can go down early and enjoy the day. ;)
Joe
P.S. Oh, and do you have a nice formal dress to wear? I have no idea what to wear. I may borrow something from
Joe. haha.
Karen
這是我跟之前跟你提的party。在San Diego喔！太棒了！Matt（或是Saddleback）會買單。我們只要帶一個禮物做交換就好了。我想我大概會準備一份，所以你可以跟他們交換。20號ok嗎？
或許我們可以早點下去玩！
Joe
Ps. 喔你有正式禮服可以穿嗎？我還不知道我要穿什麼，大概跟室友借吧。哈
-------------------------------------------
From: Lisa Crockett
Sent: Tuesday, December 8, 2008 3:34:27 PM
To: Arthur Ochoa; Stephen Anslow; Joe Chancellor
Cc: Janet Turner
Subject: RSVP for Christmas Party
Auto forwarded by a Rule
Since there's no formal, Saddleback Christmas party this year, we're dressing up by ourselves! Please let me know soon if you will be coming and how many of you will be coming. My aunt's excited to host us and the view from her place is incredible!
既然今年Saddleback沒有正式的聖誕舞會，我們自己來盛裝舉辦一場吧！請盡快回信回覆你會不會參加，是否攜伴和人數。我阿姨很熱心的要開放她在San Diego的家讓我們辦party。從她家可以眺望的景色保證值回票價！
========================================================
我們兩都很喜歡San Diego。Joe很興奮的提議我們當天早點下去San Diego玩，至於這次要去哪裡探險，他會搞定。這段期間內，我們通著email來來往往的討論到底要穿到多正式。應該一件可愛裙子就夠了吧，我問，Joe猛迭聲說，不成不成，據Lisa表示，大家都要穿得很正式才行。
Party一星期前，Joe上Pasadena陪我。原本只是走去Old town逛逛，竟然就拐進店裡讓我為party挑起小禮服。來來回回幾家店禮服不斷的試，petite身材的我，要挑到一件正式漂亮的禮服，老實說是有點難度，得碰點運氣。直到晚上十點店家要關門了，我們終於拍板定案。喜孜孜的拎著新的小禮服，一邊也心想，Joe對我真好，一向最不喜歡逛街的他，竟然陪了我一整晚，超級投入又興致盎然的當個好逛街partner。至於Joe的行頭，他先是說會跟室友借西裝穿，完全符合他極低物慾不好打扮的個性。過沒幾天，他改口說，反正明年他也得穿著正式去博士班的面試，那不如就去買一套西裝好了。「好阿好阿」，我心裡也沒多想。直到事後我才知道，他破天荒的作超級正式打扮，都是為了這一個特別的日子。
這一年我們設計了特別的個人化磁鐵給Team staff當聖誕禮物。好不容易學校 quarter告一段落，我開始日夜瞎忙的要把禮物準備好，帶到party上給大家。手工藝品有時候還真累人。等到我終於忙完可以就寢，已經是星期六的凌晨兩點。星期六一早Joe上來接我，我半裝可憐的說我昨晚好晚睡喔，他聽了心疼得不得了。（事後他告訴我他覺得超級對不起我，竟然因為整個漫天大謊讓我不斷熬夜趕工作禮物）
經過幾乎一整星期的大雨滂沱，星期六的好天氣似乎讓Joe超級興奮。我倒是沒有太大感覺，不過是去餐廳吃飯和party，下不下雨沒什麼差吧。（是阿，事後我終於知道為什麼他為了好天氣那麼開心）我們先是去了老闆推薦Pasadena一家好吃的早餐店想用早餐，接著一路南下，準備去他家把禮物包好順便讓他著裝。
開車往San Diego去的路上，Joe給了我第一個小禮物---一張我們昨天才在談的CD!我心裡覺得納悶，怎麼會送這張CD給我，該不會是聖誕禮物吧？不過可以在約會天拿到小禮物，總是件開心的事！一路上，我一邊補眠、一邊聽著CD，一路跟著Joe閒聊。當車子開上San Diego-Coronado大橋時，眼前的美景讓我整個人清醒了過來。San Diego真是太美了！不過，我們到底是要去哪裡阿？Joe說「祕-密！」
車子轉進了停車場，眼前矗立的是一棟有著紅色球形高頂的漂亮旅館。Joe一邊停車一邊跟我說這飯店可是有百年歷史的地標喔。下車前，他變出了第二個禮物給我！「哇哇哇」，我心裡想著，「今天的約會怎麼那麼棒！」
飯店後面緊臨著美麗的沙灘，不可思議的是，除了餐廳水池，竟然有一個很大的圓形溜冰場！我興奮的跟Joe說pittsburgh也有一個很美的skate ring，只是我老嚷著想去溜，卻一次也沒有成行。Joe笑笑說，「今天說不定是你的幸運日喔！ 」接著拉著我走去溜冰場售票口。「欸欸…」等等，現在是什麼情況？Joe 的隨性舉動讓我超級困惑。 想了一會兒，我決定放棄穿得超級美麗小禮服溜冰摔得七暈八素的機會，改挑做旁邊超酷的四人腳踏座車！溜冰，下回穿牛仔褲再來！
這棟飯店叫做「The Hotel Del Coronado」，硬要翻譯，大概是皇冠之飯店（聽起來很怪，哈）。飯店其實有著兩百年歷史，整棟建築不只外面風景建築物美，內部的古意裝飾陳列更是一大景點。舉飯店大廳為例，全木頭的建築與擺設，真有令人置身歷史的感覺。我們穿梭在飯店的各個角落，走著歷史走廊、商店、古早物小店、美食加精品，應有盡有。Joe在我駐足咖啡店前精緻糕點冰櫃的瞬間，就拎著我去挑一個好吃的巧克力莓果慕思。逛花園、逛商店、四處照相，今天有點隨事都心想事成的神奇感覺。在大廳的巨型聖誕樹前照相時，我們還看到兩個穿著像是十九世紀初期的人。我說「這一定是飯店員工故意扮裝」，Joe說「是嗎？我還想他們是一般客人耶。」
在海邊看完夕陽後， 我們差不多逛遍了各個可以照相的景點，第一棵相機電池也已耗盡。我開始問起，我們要集合的地方在哪阿？離這裡遠嗎？我們幾點要走？會不會遲到？Joe說Lisa剛剛打過電話來說有人塞在高速公路上，所以可以晚一點再去沒關係。「喔」我繼續四處巡覽，直到我們兩個的腳都開始酸累，才坐在lobby沙發上休息。「那邊走廊的ballroom今天晚上會有一個秀喔，我想這些穿得很正式的人都是為了那個秀來的吧」Joe指著走廊對我說，「是喔」，我踱步過去在ballroom外探頭探腦，壓根兒不知道這會是Joe給我的下一個驚喜。
「我們該走了」，又過了十分鐘，Joe終於下了動身指令。我穿上大衣、戴上圍巾，準備走進入夜
的寒冷裡。奇怪的是，Joe把我帶到了ballroom的大門前，跟著入場的人群一起排著隊。「恩，其實Lisa沒有住在San Diego的阿姨」他說。「什麼？」「恩…」「那聖誕party呢？」「也沒有聖誕party，….只有我們兩個，然後我們要進去看這個秀。」Joe從上衣口袋像變魔術一般的掏出了兩張票。哇塞！這傢伙竟然騙我！我滿心覺得這個驚喜真是太酷了！什麼時候我的男朋友竟然學會製造大驚喜？不過，幹嘛搞得這麼特別阿？聖誕節還沒到，交往紀念日也還有一個禮拜多，哎呀，不管了，反正又不重要。我們開始嘻嘻哈哈的虧起他竟然會為了驚喜說謊騙我，這跟他一向堅持的要當「一個可以讓我相信他說的每一句話的人」，實在是有點衝突。
宴會廳的大門一開，迎面迎接我們的是成群穿著90年代初期衣服的演員們。「阿！你早就知道那兩個人是這個秀的演員了！」我抗議著，Joe點點頭笑著拉著我進場。大廳裡服務生逡巡著端著各樣開胃菜服務大家，跳舞的、音樂演奏的，各自角落優雅的翩然拉起序幕。我們持著各樣的開胃菜和飲料，在落地窗前聊天看夜景，等著好戲上場。這個晚餐音樂劇，是讓觀眾成為劇中Marshall家的聖誕晚會賓客。這些Marshall家的成員不只又演又唱又跳，還身兼我們的服務生，各自有負責的圓桌。燈一亮，眾演員歡迎我們來到「他們家」，我被領到了舞台正中央的第一張桌子！
一整晚的show加晚餐，我都處在極興奮的狀態。音樂劇一向是我鍾愛的表演，當然美食也不能放過。整個表演我的嘴大概一整晚是張大大的呈現癡呆狀吧。當我看向Joe時，也是猛著傻笑，一定看起來像個興奮的呆瓜。一整晚不論是家庭的歌舞表演、鋼琴演奏、水杯音樂秀、笑話、故事甚至是跟觀眾的互動，讓我看得目不轉睛，超級忙碌。又是照相又是吃飯，還要分神注意哪個舞台角落又要有表演了，或是一不小心會被背後出現的演員嚇一大跳，好吃的牛排大蝦大餐，我竟然最後甜點都吃不完。
當show結束散場，我們留下來繼續拍了不少照片，才慢慢的準備離席。這回可是真的要穿上大衣戴上圍巾步入寒風裡了。Joe領著我繞路又到了海灘上，我心想「大概他想要在走一次後廊花園的路，所以才不直接走通往停車場的出口吧」。我們在海邊坐了下來，Joe拿出了我今晚的第三個禮物。「要小心拆喔，這是易碎品」他說。我小心翼翼的打開驚喜，是一個特別的燭台！圓柱形的壁是一成串的文字！我們點起了蠟燭，開始順著螺旋往下讀。
「你是我的公主 （喔～真甜蜜）
我的知己 （Confidant是什麼意思阿？*英文課時間*）
我的靈感
我珍貴的寶藏 （這個我喜歡）
我的啦啦隊
我的鼓舞
我的希望
我的小甜心
我的朋友
我的夢想家 （恩..這倒是有點特別）
我們ministry夥伴 （等等..這是不是特別訂製的東西阿？）
我的愛人 （哇…這真的是給我的嗎）
我的小猴 （我的老天！這真的是我專屬的禮物耶）
Will （我花好久才看出這是個Will，本來還想看起來真像WII。該不會是要寫WII
wish you a Xmas吧？那就太爆笑了..）
YOU…
….」
在我好不容易辨識出Will這個字，繼續往下轉，唸出YOU，我整個人就停住了。映入眼簾的是「WILL YOU MARRY ME」！整個進入大震驚的我，看著Joe彷彿是慢動作一般的從口袋裡拿出了戒指，跪在我面前，開始對我說起話來。我必須自首極度驚嚇的我，根本記不大得他對我說了甚麼。隱約記得他為我我們交往多久了，對我說他對我的感覺和他多麼開心我們在一起的這段時間之類的。我當時一定看起來像被雷打到。喃喃的吐出yes，Joe輕輕的把戒指套到我的手上。
=============================================================
之後他才娓娓道來整個大計畫裡的小細節家內幕：
1.那個燭台是他從荷蘭訂製來的！荷蘭！！幾天前他還接到該公司寄來的email，信上說，他們看到從機器中出來的成品，發現有人要用這個燭台求婚，整公司都興奮得不得了。因此寫信想要問對成品滿不滿意，過程進行得順不順利，並且希望他求婚成功後拍照讓他們分享！
2. Joe的家人一整天對他拼命奪命連環call，想要知道大計畫進行得如何。他幾次說要如廁其實是去廁所裡打電話說，不要再打來了！我不會接電話了！
3. Joe的室友早就知道當天是個求婚大作戰。結果他跟我聊天時還是一派平靜悠哉的問我今天計畫做什麼。我還興奮的跟他描述要去辦公室的聖誕party，而且誇張的哀號我還忙著在包裝禮物。現在想起來，室友實在是功力高深，有夠會演戲！
4. 想當然爾，整個辦公師都知道Joe的計畫。整個party完全是個大謊言。邀請函、party、阿姨家全是Joe想出來的idea。大家都串通好如果我問的話要怎麼應對！
5. 在飯店逛的時候，Joe曾說他有點擔心車子，要去check一下，其實是偷偷去拿禮物和戒指。晚餐時，我偶爾去牽他的手，摸摸他的大腿，他還很緊張的想我是不是發現什麼了，在偷偷check西裝裡是不是有裝戒指的小盒子。(寶貝，我只能說你真是太多慮了。我真的是壓根兒一點頭緒也沒阿)
以上就是整個求婚記。 Joe的的確確給了我一個超級浪漫的大驚喜。同時，這過去的一個月，他也是個超級大騙子。在我們展開新的未婚夫妻關係的同時，看樣子是有必要坐下來好好談談關於誠實議題了。
更多照片:
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| The Hotel Del Coronado-Proposal Surprise |
The Hotel Del Coronado
He is a big fat liar and he is now my fiancé. :D
December 20th is Joe’s team’s Christmas party day! He has forwarded me the email at the beginning of December and seemed to be excited about that.
================================================================
Karen,
Here's the team party I mentioned before. It's in SAN DEIGO! Whoppee! And Matt (or Saddleback, at least) is paying for a nice restaurant. We only have to bring a gift if you want to participate in the gift exchange. I'll probably just bring one, and you can use it to do the exchange. Are we good on the 20th?
Maybe we can go down early and enjoy the day. ;)
Joe
P.S. Oh, and do you have a nice formal dress to wear? I have no idea what to wear. I may borrow something from
Joe. haha.
-------------------------------------------
From: Lisa Crockett
Sent: Tuesday, December 8, 2008 3:34:27 PM
To: Arthur Ochoa; Stephen Anslow; Joe Chancellor
Cc: Janet Turner
Subject: RSVP for Christmas Party
Auto forwarded by a Rule
Since there's no formal, Saddleback Christmas party this year, we're dressing up by ourselves! Please let me know soon if you will be coming and how many of you will be coming. My aunt's excited to host us and the view from her place is incredible!
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“It looks fun!” I was really excited as well. Since we both like to go to San Diego, his suggestion of driving down early and having fun looks like a great idea to me. We had emails back and forth discussing how formal we need to dress up on that day. I suggest wearing a cute skirt should be enough, but he insist Lisa has said it needs to be really formal. About one week ahead of the time, he took me shopping for dress because of the event. Though it felt a bit weird that he happily took me shopping (he really doesn’t like shopping), I just figured he was trying his best to keep me accompany and do something that I like. Joe said he would just borrow suit from his roommate. “Of course”, I think. It makes sense to me. However, couple days later, he said he is thinking about getting a suite. Since he will need it in couple months for the PhD interview as well. He should just get one now. “Sure,” I think. Only till later I was told that he dressed up super nice all for this special purpose.
Saturday turned out to be a good day, especially it has been raining for days earlier that week. (Now it all comes back to me why he was so excited and commented it’s nice that the weather was good.) I had stayed up late for days trying to get our personalized Christmas gifts done for the office staff. (yep, he felt super bad after learning this.) After he picked me up, we went to a nice breakfast place in Pasadena. It all felt like fun. Then we headed south to his place to finish gift-wrapping and for him to dress up.
On the way down to San Diego, I got my first gift- a CD that we just talked about the day before. “Um…”, I felt pretty odd to get this CD as a gift. However, nice little gift seems pretty good to me on a nice date. During the driving, it’s me sleeping, we listening to the CD, and chitchatting the whole time. As we drove on the San Diego-Coronado Bridge, the pretty view in front of me totally makes me awake. San Diego is such a pretty place! But, where are we going? Joe said, “It’s a secret.”
“This is a famous couple hundred years old hotel,” Joe said as he pulled into the parking lot. We came to a pretty hotel with huge red crown shape on the top of the building. Hotel Del Coronado is the name. Before we got off the car, he brought out another gift to me. “Wow,” I thought, “this date seems pretty nice”.
The hotel has a nice beach at the back. As we walking on the path, there is a huge ring skating right in front of me. I was telling Joe we had one in Pittsburgh but I never get to try it. He held my hands and told me today may be my lucky day. “What?” His response totally confused me. After some thoughts, I said I want to pick cool 4 people bike ride instead of falling on the ice ring stake with nice dress on.
The hotel is actually 200 years old. It has its little museum telling its history. There are also a hallway of cool shops, antique stuff, and a huge Christmas tree in the old style wood lobby. We had chocolate mousse berry cup, coffee, and lots of pictures. And we joked around two weird people dress up like in the old days. “They must be hotel staffs,” I said. “Yep? I thought they are just customers,” Joe said.
After the sunset, we pretty much visit every part of the hotel and ran out of first camera battery as well. I start asking where is the house that we are going to? Is it far away from here? When should we leave? Will we be late? Joe said Lisa just called and said people are stuck in the traffic, so we can stay here longer. Ok. We kept browsing all the stores, gardens, and finally both had sore legs resting in the lobby comfy couch.
“There will be a show tonight at the end of the hallway. I think most people who dress up nice are for that.” Joe told me. “Oh, yeah?” I went there peaking outside of the ballroom. “An American Christmas”, the huge poster outside of the ballroom said. “Looks neat,” I think, without any idea that this is the next surprise Joe is about to show me.
Another ten minutes passed by. He said, ok, we should go now. I put my coat on, scarf on, ready to go into the coldness outside. He then brought me to the door of the ballroom, said, “Um…Lisa doesn’t have an aunt living in San Diego.” “What?” “Yep…..” “what about the party?” “There is no party. Just two of us.” “What?” “Yep. We are actually going to this show.” He then pulled out the tickets from his pocket. I was surprised but thinking this is so cool. My cute bf starts to know how to surprise me and give me a really nice evening. Wow. But why? Nah. Not important. We joked that he actually lied to me, which is so against to his standard of being someone who I can trust every single word he said.
As the door opened, we were greeted by LOTS of actors and actresses who dressed up like people in 1900s. “Oh! You already knew those two people are from this show.” Joe smiled and nodded while I protested. The evening started with free appetizers and drinks. Waiters walking around the room serve us. It came out to be that we are in a big show, pretending we are the guests of this Marshall’s family. When the event starts, I was led to the first table in the center, right in front of the stage!
I was so excited with this cool dinner event. I love musical (and great food of course). The whole show I probably ended up feeling awestruck and have mouth wide open. All the singings, dancing, piano playing, jokes, water-glass song, acting, and even interaction with guests make me super busy the whole night. I probably just smiled like a fool when I looked at Joe. What a great night, and I even didn’t finish my dessert.
Ok. The show ends. Since we are not hurry, we took time chilled; taking pictures in the coolest crown room I’ve ever seen. Now we should go! We walked out this time with coat and scarf on again for real. But he took me back to the beach again instead of going directly to the parking lot. “um..I guess he wants to take the garden path again, maybe.” We sat down on the beach; he gave me my last gift for the day. “Be careful, it’s fragile.” I carefully unpack my gift. It’s a special candleholder with texts on the wall! We popped the candle light on, put it inside, now the reading time!
“YOU ARE MY PRINCESS (aw…that’s sweet)
MY CONFIDANT (what does this mean? *English class time*)
MY INSPIRATION
MY TREASURE (I like this)
MY CHEERLEADER
MY ENCOURAGER
MY HOPE
MY SWEETHEART
MY FRIEND
MY FELLOW DREAMER (This is a little special…)
MY MINISTRY PARTNER (Wait! Am I getting a personalized gift?)
MY LOVER (wow. is this for me?)
MY MONKI (Aaaahhhh! It’s a gift just for me!)
WILL ….. (*we are having hard time recognizing this word…Is it WII? Or…WII wish you a merry
Xmas? Haha. Too funny, can’t be the case…ohoh, I got it it’s WILL!)
YOU… (…….)
.............”
Right after I cheerfully recognize the word “WILL”, as I turn the holder around, I read “WILL YOU…” and then stopped. “WILL YOU MARRY ME” popped out in front of me. Joe reached his pocket and brought out a ring. Knees down, he started talking to me while I am in huge huge huge huge shock! He poured out his heart to me, however I need to confess that I got words coming into my ears but soon disappeared in my head. I remembered he asked me how long we’ve been dating, and how much he liked me and enjoyed us. I must look like someone who just got struck by the lightning or something. Mumbling my yes out, and he put the ring on my finger.
===
Later he told me the whole stories and funny little details.
1. He ordered this cool thing from Netherlands! Couple days ago he even got an email from the company said they are so excited about this order after they saw this thing came out from the machine. They emailed him asking how things going and wanted him to tell them how it goes after proposal!
2. Joe’s family kept calling him throughout the day wanting to know if everything turns out well. He actually went to restroom to call them back, warning them do not call again. He will not answer phones afterwards!
3. Joe’s roommate already knew this is a proposal event! He acted so normal while chatting with me asking me what’s the plan for the day. I was excited telling him we were going to the IT team party and I am busy wrapping gift! Now in retrospect, he was so calm and even wished me have a great time in the party!
4. The office already knew about this proposal. Everything is a lie! Invitation, party idea, aunt story…they are all Joe’s idea and his great work.
5. When he told me he needs to check the car, he actually went in to pick up ring and gift. During dinner, while I held his hands and touch his thigh, he was super nervous wondering was I checking if there’s a box with my ring! (Babe, you worry too much! I am honestly completely clueless)
So, this is the proposal surprise story. Joe has really given me a great romantic surprise. He is a great liar throughout this whole month. And we will need to have a talk about honesty and transparency as we start our new relationship. Haha!
More pictures :
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| The Hotel Del Coronado-Proposal Surprise |
Christmans Party and Din Tai Fung
Who would know that SLS kind of having the tradition of going to bowling and Din Tai Fung as their Christmas celebration party? I just found out this great news last couple days when RSVP to the Christmas staff party. After figuring out the dumpling house they meant, I couldn't help but got so excited through out the weekend.
There is only one Din Tai Fung restaurant in the States, which is actually pretty close to us. Bowling is fun, but Din Tai Fung is even more amazing. I kept telling my boss and other staffs how cool Din Tai Fung is and how excited I am. Several friends also got my phone calls "showing off" that I get to go to Din Tai Fung for a big treat!
Twelve of us went bowling in the morning. Bowling to me is like a college activity. I still remember going bowling in the late evening, and then having night snack afterwards. When being a student, time doesn't seem like an important issue. We always feel that we have plenty of time to spend and going to bed early is not something to worry about. The friendship flowing between interactions probably is the most attracting thing in the late night bowling event for us. Those good old time...
Ok. back to topic. So, twelve of us divided up to three teams to have team competition. After the first round, our team got rewarded for 100 handicapped for the real game. Now you can get an idea how "good" we were. ISO has Sam, who is the expert of bowling. SLS happens to have "powered up" version of Carmen. We have Keith, the only guy who can help raise our point. However, when the second run started, our team started firing up! Strikes and spare kept coming. We laughed this was a team job and we prayed before the second run. At the end we were couple points less than ISO team. However, with the 100 handicapped point, we were the champion!
Din Tai Fung is right across the bowing place. People were all starved. The manager who helped us order kept giving ideas and pretty much handling the whole order process. In the middle of ordering, the manager told Ruth that Americans won't like chicken with skin on it, so they can just skip chicken soup, and order sour and spicy soup instead. " I want a chicken soup!" I can only find a little spot to yell out what I want as I see them going to pass it. The managered stopped and mumbled, "oh, Asian may like it." We had juicy pork dumpling, pork and shrimp dumpling, shrimp shaomai, shanhai fried rice cake, shrimp fried rice, fried green bean, bok choy, red bean dumpling and red bean rice cake. Oh, and my chicken soup which I had one and with one to go as well!
Not sure what made Allison started wanting to learn Chinese, we spent much time practicing writing "love" and speaking "I love you" in Chinese. There was even time that the whole table stopped and just listened to us. And I offered the explanation of my last name- eight thousand female ghosts, which was used by Allison this morning to greet me when she stepped into office.
Anyway. Din Tai Fung in the States not only fed my belly, but reminds me of my family. That was the first meal they took us to when we went back this summer. I thought about Dad's face during that meal. I think, as quiet as he was, he still loves me so he treated everyone with a great nice dumpling feast!
白菜瘦肉粥
今天清早在張羅好nikkie的早餐後，我開始煮起了在心裡盤算兩天的白菜瘦肉粥。基本上，所謂的盤算只是：在寄居別人屋簷下，有半顆白菜和冷凍豬絞肉的情況下，可以煮什麼讓我可以不用花半毛錢。記取之前讀食譜學來的煮粥訣竅，（大概是水一開始要加多，小火慢燉，而非我之前的開蓋煮又狂加水），白菜切絲、豬肉記得加熱水再下鍋。鹽、胡椒、一點garlic powder和basil，賣相不錯！
應該不錯吧！Nikkie也在一旁看得津津有味。來到學校加熱後才發現不是這麼一回事！
水分又被稀飯吸得剩下寥寥無幾。鹹鴨蛋放在裡面不大對味。我明明記得以前在南陽街買的瘦肉粥是可以加五塊多半力鹹蛋的阿。腦袋裡浮起參有薑絲的粥....等等！該不會是雞肉粥吧？！
總之，這個粥不夠成功。星期五午餐和今晚的晚餐都還是它...哎。
